Into the Hills!

Hitting the road is always a good feeling! The first leg of my summer adventure has begun. Leaving Tucson, and heading towards 5000 ft. The Trip would be 200 miles, which is almost two thirds the distance to my final destination in the white mountains. Not only is it gonna be a summer of great weather, but it will be great on the bank account as well. Here's a few more pictures....................

The first 120 miles brought me through  flat desert country, and such towns as Red Rock, Picacho, Eloy, Casa Grande, and of course Phoenix suburbia, but after that the twist, turns, ups, downs, and climbing had begun!

More Mountains

Finally a familiar site I've stayed here before. The Mazatzal Casino in Payson. Weather forecast for next week 65 to 75. Just about perfect for 14 year old Husky, and great for napping as well.

 My new backyard til the weather changes, or I am asked to leave :)

 Candy enjoying a morning walk in the Tonto national forest 55 degrees out. Her kinda weather!

 Perching Turtle at home in the police station parking lot.

For you NBA fans. Woke up to find this colorful rig next to me this morning, it was almost as glamorous as The Turtle. Nice group of people on a mission. To find out more about there quest Click Here! Thanks for stopping by! Good Day!

Summer Plans

Yep thats's snow! Took this picture at the Casino Del Sol in Tucson February 20th. Now just a bit over 3 weeks later temps have been in the 90's. I would have been gone days ago, if it were not for family in the area, where I was able to hide out in the shade. This also gave me some more time to plan my summer adventure.

During the winter I have been going through my options for the summer. Some included a trip up the coast, staying in the national forest in eastern Arizona, or traveling around New Mexico on the state park pass. All this stress from being in such a conundrum could only be answered by one individual. Candy the Navigator.

Anywhere that the temps don't get above 75 degrees, and I can roam the forest all day was Candy's final decision. Eastern Arizona it is! Examining the map I found the perfect route . First leg would be to the Payson area located at around 5000', then up to the Mogollon Rim at 7500', the final leg will take me into the white mountains where you can camp up at 10,000'

The plan is to stay in each general area until the temps get over 75, then head further up in elevation. All this done in Arizona, and only traveling 320 miles (one way). Thanks for visiting, and have a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Wasson Peak Tucson, AZ

 Wasson Peak Via King Canyon Trail is a 7 mile hike round trip with a elevation gain of 1939ft. Trail head is located just across the street from the desert museum.

 The beginning of the hike is fairly easy following an old road to the Mam-A-Gah picnic area, where you are able to find petroglyphs, after that the trail becomes rocky, and eventually turns into a steep set of switchbacks up to the peak at 4687 ft . Definitely not as high as the Mount Wrightson hike, but well worth the views, and Wasson is accessible in winter. Heres a few pics of the hike......

Peak is on the other side of the High Mountain in the background.

Bird Nest

Watch your step!

Summit View

View of Tucson

Trail seen from the summit. Switchbacks to the left. Hope this warms up some of you northern reader. Thanks for visiting!