At the Top

This post is for all the hikers who DID make it to the top of Picketpost Mt. and for those who almost made it AND for the group who knew better than to try!

 A chilly but sunny morning for a 2000' climb to the top of Picketpost Mt.

 Dennis puckering (?) for the camera. I heard Dennis had kisses for the women who made it to the top...

 Climbing over boulders, looking for the trail amongst the cholla

 Kent's first time on Picketpost

 Joe stopped to make a snowman

Yes, there was some snow

 Gary and Tom. This was also Gary's first trip to the top.

 Dennis and Moe

 Jerry, the leader for this hike

Joe, Tom, Jim, Gary, Bonnie and Katie. I wonder if Katie and Bonnie got their kisses?

Curt and his 'hard to miss' hiking shirt at the mailbox on the top of Picketpost.

Preparing to head back down, picking their way amongst the prickly pear and cholla

 2000' is a long way down...

 The west side of Picketpost

 It must have warmed-up because Katie is without a coat

 This photo shows part of the mountain region that burned last summer

 Curt's fourth trip to the top of Picketpost.

 The bottom trunk of this saguaro shows where the fire affected it. The top part looks healthy.

 Some of the trees and bushes that didn't fair well in the fire.

 This saguaro didn't survive.

You can also see how dry it has been because there is no green growth on the desert floor.

 A majestic site, conquered by a dozen brave souls.


Photos and post from last season's hike; January 2011, titled 'A Horizontal and a Vertical Hike'