Winding up the Challenge at Wasson

To finish the challenge, I chose Wasson Peak. For this hike, my friend Laura came along. She had hiked Wasson Peak before but had hiked it from a different trailhead – Kings Canyon (which I had hiked before). For this hike we picked as our trailhead the Sendero Esperanza. Due to a late morning start it was a bit hot but not too hot. Also once we got to the ridge on the Hugh Norris Trail, the occasional breeze would alleviate the heat. We hiked at a good slow pace and reached the summit. We signed the register, rested, took photos, and headed back. Because Saguaro National Park participates in the “I Hike for Health” program, we drove headed to the Visitor Center after the hike.  The ranger confirmed that the park still participates in the program and gave each of us an individual pin. In order to earn the pin for Saguaro National Park, one must hike a minimum of 3 miles. Since our hike was around 8 miles, we met the criteria and were awarded our individual pins. In addition to the minimum mileage required to be hiked within the park, there was a limit of one pin per individual.  Previously I had earned the pin from Chiricahua National Monument, and there are other places run by the Park Service in Arizona that participate in this program, but Wasson Peak was the only one in the Six-Pack of Peaks as far as I’m aware that can be hiked in order to earn this pin. After picking up our pins we headed home.