Went back down to the Dragoon Mtns for a few more days, then a day on the amazing Picacho Peak. This is probably our last Sonoran desert trip as it's getting a bit warm, and our remaining 5 weeks in AZ will likely be spent hanging out in the higher country before we bail to Alaska for the summer.iPhone pic: Tried to enter the Dragoons from the north, via this public "road". After 10+ miles of pin-striping my already pinstriped truck, we went through a couple open gates and ended up on a well graded gravel road into a rural, high end, desert community. WTF? After 90 minutes of dead ends, we realized we were on private land, and ultimately a gated community. We ran into a woman at a big gate, and she informed us so. She seemed bewildered how we got through the big gate at the entrance....reminded me of my moto days having the same problem quite frequently.Took the right way and finally got to camp.Then a ride-hike into Slavin Canyon.Camp.A change in the weather.And some screwing around.

Morning cow trail ride. I love riding desert cow trails.......we used to ride them a bunch on motos in the west desert of Utah.That evening it started puking rain, then cleared just enough at sunset to light up the sky.

Next day was more early morning riding, a hike to the Sheep's Head, then a drive north to Picacho Peak.At Picacho Peak State Park........raining, but beautiful. Here's a dead Saguaro.The desert bloom is in full right now.Clouds over the Picacho Peak.And another classic desert sunset.

Got up at 5:30, rode the bike to the trailhead, then hiked up Picacho Peak. Wanted to beat the throngs of people that would arrive later, so I'd have the place to myself, and not get bogged down by slow moving folks on the cables above.Headlights on I-10Incredible trail route. I've been a climber for 25+ years, and any time there's some exposure, I'm happier.Misty clouds rolling in.Near the summit.I didn't see the flowers hiking up in the dark, but coming down in the light they were amazing!New bike rack. $30 step bumper receiver, $39 ATV rack, $40 quick release skewers, $10 hardware. Works great. I added the turn-buckle to remove the wobble the receiver racks have.

Always a treat to see one of your trip reports. Thanks for taking the time to put this together and share the happy family time with us, here. b

Wow! Great report. I live in Tucson full time, and you've hit some places I've not been to yet.For others who will be following in your footsteps, be careful. We've seen two rattlesnakes in the last three days. So they are out now that the weather is warming up.

Dragoon Mtns and Picacho Peak | Good Sam Community

silversand
Explorer
Mar 22, 2015
EXCELLENT photos (you really understand light, your terrain, and the limits of your camera in the shadows) ! Tremendous trip (mini expedition) report!

Silver-
nycsteve
Explorer
Mar 22, 2015
Thanks, really nice pics.
c_traveler2
Nomad
Mar 22, 2015
Very cool trip, liked many of your photos.
The_Mad_Norsky
Explorer
Mar 22, 2015
Superb, just superb!

That little guy of yours is gonna have so many special memories! And that is just priceless!
GoinThisAway
Explorer
Mar 21, 2015
What gorgeous scenery there! Will put that hike on my "gotta do that" list. Thanks for sharing!
spacedoutbob
Explorer
Mar 21, 2015
Fantastic trip report and photos, Thank you very much for posting. I need to explore that area, looks great!

Bob in Calif.
mbloof
Explorer
Mar 20, 2015
Great photos - loved the trip report!
trackhead
Explorer
Mar 20, 2015
sabconsulting wrote:
That trail up the mountain with exposure - were those wires just hand rails or were they a form of fixed protection, like via ferrata in Italy?

Just hand rails. Without them, it's just 4th class with big exposure. Similar to Angel's Landing in Zion.

It's nice to see trails like this in the states, we don't have many like it.
sabconsulting
Explorer
Mar 20, 2015
Many thanks for this - great to see another trip report from you. Loved the photos, especially the cactus bearing its teath :-). That trail up the mountain with exposure - were those wires just hand rails or were they a form of fixed protection, like via ferrata in Italy?

Steve.
exhaustipated
Explorer
Mar 20, 2015
Really nice photos and trip report. I look forward to your TR's and pictures. Thanks for sharing them.