Exploring the backcountry and wilderness of the Western USA.
I first saw North Star Peak from the summit of Forest Hill, the highpoint of the Little Rincon Mountains, last March. It appeared to be an interesting peak and worth a visit. So I was eager to join other Southern Arizona Hiking Club members early December to climb it.
[Read more…] about North Star Peak, Arizona, December 2019In November I visited four Arizona lookout towers located on peaks of interest to me. The autumn had been dry so far, but I expected winter rain and snow to arrive soon and I wanted to visit the peaks before then. I was fortunate to have excellent weather for hiking and camping and the roads were dry. It was a fun and productive trip and I expect to return some day for a few more peaks in the same area.
On Thursday, November 14, I drove from Tucson most of the way up Hutch Mountain to a locked gate at a saddle. From there I walked a short distance beyond the gate to the west summit and its lookout tower.
[Read more…] about Arizona Lookout Towers, November 2019On Saturday, September 21, I drove to Mickey Hot Springs, just north of the Alvord Desert east of Steens Mountain. Mickey Butte has only 6294 feet of elevation, but is the 80th most prominent peak in Oregon with 1934 feet of clean topographic prominence.
Saturday afternoon I met Michael and John for a climb of Mickey Butte the next day. This is a rather remote area and I was glad to have a couple of experienced and capable peakbaggers with me.
[Read more…] about Mickey Butte, Oregon, September 2019On Friday, August 23, Linda and I drove up Pine Creek Road on the east side of the Elkhorn Mountains of Northeast Oregon. My intent was to hike Cougar Pond Southeast Peak, an unofficially named peak in the nearby Elkhorn Mountains. Linda’s intent was to ride her mountain bike back to our campsite in the Baker Valley, then ride her road bike on a loop out of camp. It had been four years since I last drove this steep, rocky, and narrow road. I was glad to have my high-clearance, 4WD Jeep.
Linda wondered why I had suggested she ride down on such a treacherous road. The previous day I had thought she would enjoy exploring this nearby part of the Elkhorn Mountains but this morning I wondered whether I had made a such a good suggestion.
[Read more…] about Cougar Pond Southeast Peak, Oregon, August 2019