GlassMountains Trip Reports

Mount Glenn, Arizona, December 2016

December 19, 2016 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

On December 7 I climbed Mount Glenn, the highpoint of the Dragoon Mountains in Southeast Arizona. Mount Glenn is the 30th most prominent peak in Arizona with 2840 feet of prominence and 7480 feet of elevation. The morning had high clouds but without threat of rain. The climb was brushy in spots but the summit had nice afternoon views of many surrounding mountain ranges.

I followed Scott Surgent’s driving directions beyond the water tank and parked at a pullout near an old structure.

[Read more…]

Window Peak, Arizona, November 2016

November 30, 2016 by Paul McClellan 3 Comments

In November I hiked the Ventana Canyon Trail and climbed Window Peak in the Santa Catalina front range. This took me two attempts. On November 9 I hiked the Ventana Canyon Trail beyond its end to a scenic saddle on a ridge at about 6500 feet. I had hoped to climb Window Peak, but I ran out of time and energy to go that far and turned around after climbing 3600 feet. I returned two weeks later and succeeded.

Mount Kimball from the end of the Ventana Canyon Trail

The Ventana Canyon Trail ends at its junction with the Finger Canyon and Esperero Trails. I hiked Mount Kimball from Finger Rock Canyon a year and a half earlier and I savored the view of it rising far above me from this junction.

[Read more…]

Silver Bell Peak, Arizona, November 2016

November 30, 2016 by Paul McClellan 2 Comments

On November 16 I explored west of Marana, Arizona, and hiked and scrambled up Silver Bell Peak, the high point of the Silver Bell Mountains. Silver Bell Peak has only 4261 feet of elevation but is the 81st most prominent peak in Arizona with 1921 feet of prominence. I got good use of my Jeep on the drive in and hiked through mostly open country.

Although Silver Bell Peak is close to Tucson I was not able to find access information for it. However, I was able to map out a driving approach to the peak using topographic software and Google satellite views. I have since posted my driving directions online here. This approach route worked well for me, although the last 2.9 miles in was rocky and rutted in spots. I recommend visitors have a high-clearance 4WD vehicle with good tires.

[Read more…]

Washington Bicycle Ride 2016

July 28, 2016 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

Linda and I joined the Bicycle Rides Northwest‘s Washington Bicycle Ride 2016 this past July. This year’s bicycle tour route was a loop out of Goldendale, Washington. It included the Yakima Valleys, White Pass, Columbia Gorge, mixed forests, and excellent views of Mount Saint Helens and Mount Adams. The tour proved to be the usual strenuous but fun and scenic Bicycle Rides Northwest experience.

July 17: Goldendale to Sunnyside (71 miles, 4100 ft gain)

The riders left Goldendale riding east on the Bickleton Highway. The weather was ideal. I found my pace and got used to being passed by stronger riders. We dropped down to and crossed Rock Creek then resumed climbing moderate grades to Bickleton. We paused at our first well-stocked rest stop on the way. It would be a challenge not to overeat on this tour.

[Read more…]

« Previous Page