The Most Difficult, Short Hike, Around

Pusch Peak, at the southwest corner of the Catalina Mountains and part of the 57,000 acre Pusch Ridge Wilderness.  That this is in my back yard and able to hike or look at it each day is a privilege.  It doesn't look like a difficult hike but damn, it is!

The first mile is straight forward and part of the Linda Vista trail system.  Not too much dodging of boulders, just an average grade of 16% but then.....

….yeah, ugh.  While yes, this is a walk in the park, it is a very difficult climb with times you'll use all appendages to advance higher and higher.  The other mile (it's just over 2 total miles!) to the peak has an average grade of over 30%.

The route stays above a drainage before crossing it but just prior to that, a trail comes in from the right that many have mistakenly taken to.....

….the prominent point which is a good mid hike destination.  However, I continue onward, catch a few people and soon.....

….leave them behind as they stop to admire the views.

A sign I am nearing the top, the first of 3-4 "dorsal fin" type features that cling to a ridge.  Just then, I hear the rumble of thunder.....

….it's well to the northwest and nothing but mostly blue skies to the southeast so I am good to go.  After 2 short/long miles and 2600' of climbing.....

….I make it!  From the parking lot, I arrive in 1:22, a bit off my best time of 1:09 but still a good effort.

The peak to the right is Pusch with the Cleaver, Bighorn and Table Peaks.  From where I stand it is....

….such a different vantage point.  Each of the aforementioned peaks is in this image but you'd have a hard time noticing.

I take a long look to the north where I can see the Catalinas petering out around the town of Oracle.

I begin the descent which always take me longer than the climb.  I look back one last time and then....

,,,,enjoy the wonderful view to the southwest with the prominent features of the ridge in the foreground.  One of the "fins" looks climbable so I decide to come back and explore.

I notice a couple of damns that someone erected to catch water and provide for the 4 legged types that walk this wilderness.

Almost back to the car and one last look back.