“We are insane” functioned as a continual declaration throughout this entire road trip as we (myself and two dear friends, Caitlin and Sharee) set out to tackle the Arizona Winter Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge. Those words were further solidified by the fact that during our all-night drive through the middle of nowhere, we comforted ourselves by binge-listening to true crime podcasts, and then proceeded to watch Criminal Minds in the hotel room as we tucked ourselves into bed. I guess there is a reason all three of us joined together on this trip… mind, body, and spirit were all aligned. It was kismet.
Insanity reigned over the next three days as we’d accomplish the following final stats:
Three days of adventure
Six peaks summited
32 miles hiked
11,000 feet of total elevation gained
20 hours of driving from San Diego to various locations in Arizona and back again
Devouring countless snacks, street tacos, and Chipotle bowls
When to Hike:
It is called the “winter” challenge for a reason, as the summer months can make these particular trails both daunting and dangerous. It’s recommended that participants work through the hikes between the months of November and April. We completed this challenge in January and couldn’t have asked for better conditions.
Overview:
Day 1: A Day Within and Around Tucson
Peak #1: Wasson Peak (Located in Saguaro National Park - entrance fee/pass required)
Why I loved it: Another national park checked off my bucket list and the abundance of Saguaro cacti
We drove all through the night on Friday to arrive in Tucson for a quick overnight hotel stay. The 35-minute drive from our hotel to the trailhead made the arrival to our first part of the challenge quick and simple. Wasson, itself, also ended up being a beautiful breeze, partly because it was our first hike of the challenge, and secondly because the elevation change gradually spread out across seven miles of trail. The unique cacti formations made for some interesting photo opportunities along the way, and, with minimal sweat in our brow, we signed the peak register, took a group summit picture, and proceeded to the next mountain.
Peak #2:
Pichacho Peak (Located in Pichacho Peak State Park - fee required)
Why I loved it: The otherworldly view of the land below and the cables that enhanced the experience, making it seem like an obstacle course
A 50-minute drive from Wasson to Pichacho led us to our second and final hike of the day. Strenuous and uniquely adventurous would be my adjectives to sum up this trek. Strenuous because nearly 2,000 feet of elevation is gained in one and a quarter miles, and uniquely adventurous due to the cables that are needed to climb up, over, down, and around some of the odds and ends along the trail. The real prize in the Cracker Jack box, however, was the final peak view, granting us the uninterrupted, 360 degree opportunity to stare at what appeared to be the veins of Earth. If Day 1 were to have a favorite hike competition, Pichacho would easily take the cake. Sorry, Wasson.
After a successful first challenge day, we drove about an hour and a half north to Apache Junction where we would stay overnight and continue to dream of Matthew Gubler and Shemar Moore as we rested and prepared for the madness that awaited us for day 2!
Day 2: A Day Within the Superstition Wilderness
Peak #3: Flatiron Mountain (Located in the Lost Dutchman State Park of the Superstition Wilderness - fee required)
Why I loved it: Purely breathtaking every step of the way and one I could do again and again, without getting bored of it
A whopping ten-minute drive to the trailhead from our hotel provided a little extra sleep time in the morning, which we would most definitely need for what was to come today. With about 3,000 feet of gain in three miles, this one fully kicked our peach-shaped fruits, but in the most spectacular way. Climbing up and through a canyon, using stacked rocks essentially as step ladders, hoodoos resembling giant pipe organs, and unparalleled, panoramic views for miles at the summit made this my favorite hike of the entire challenge.
Peak #4: Fremont Saddle
Why I loved it: The jaw-dropping view of the Weaver’s Needle monolith and more Superstition Wilderness beauty (my new favorite place in Arizona)
The 40-minute drive from Flatiron brought us to Peralta Canyon Trailhead where I would fall in love, once more, and find a trail that ties with Flatiron for my favorite hike of the challenge, thus making Day 2 the official cream of the crop for me. While there were more pipe organ style hoodoos along the way surrounded by that unforgettable, rugged aesthetic of the Superstitions, the vantage point from Fremont Saddle of Weaver's Needle brought it all home. We sat there for a while, eating, staring, and repeating those tasks for quite some time. How could we not? This place demanded attention, and justly so.
We later arrived at our hotel in Paradise Valley, just outside of Phoenix, and each enjoyed a long, hot shower since we were starting to feel the miles and elevation gain in our bones. One more day, and the challenge would be completed!
Day 3: Wrapping it up in Phoenix
Peak #5: Camelback Mountain
Why I loved it: Rock scrambling and sweeping views of Phoenix
Parking for this trail was a bit of an experience since parking is not available directly at the trailhead, so this added a little bit of unnecessary mileage to the counter. Since we were essentially rubber at this point, any extra steps were mildly disappointing. Nevertheless, we persisted. Camelback is a popular trek for locals, similar to Cowles Mountain for San Diegans, and the area surrounding the trailhead fills up with cars fast, so an early arrival is essential. Reserving a hotel room just five minutes away makes accomplishing this even easier.
Short and steep, that’s what Camelback Mountain was. The original thought in planning out the Six-Pack was to save these two shorter Phoenix trails for last… but oh, that elevation gain in relation to miles will get you every time. My pace drastically decreased by day 3, and a young boy in Crocs ended up passing me on the inside of a switchback. It’s not that he was showing off, it’s that I was nearly crawling on all fours like Sméagol because I was determined, no matter what, to make it up these last two darn mountains. If channeling the precious energy of a fictional monster was required to do so, then so be it.
We crept up the trail during sunrise, which led to a delightful view of Phoenix waking up below. Not many photos were taken on this one since we were more focused on breathing and keeping our limbs intact, but we did snag a few and made for a quick descent to get to our final peak of the challenge just 15 minutes away.
Peak #6: Piestewa Peak
Why I loved it: More mountainous views of the Phoenix area, and it was our final hike of the challenge!
Apparently, we like to be consistent, so we kept the “short and steep” twins for last. Another 1,000 feet gain in one mile… not a problem. I have zero photos going up this mountain since my gas tank was blowing fumes, but the summit photos turned out pretty wonderful. We took a group five victory Boomerang to celebrate our successful completion of the challenge and then quickly headed down so that we could grab lunch and be on the road by noon to make our way back to San Diego. We’d celebrate more in the car, sitting on our behinds, listening to more true crime… is there a better way to celebrate one’s victory? I think not.
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