Wow!  Picacho is a very challenging route!  Requiring lot of mental as well as physical abilities.  It becomes a step by step processes once you hit those cables.  I am SO glad I brought gloves.  Sticky on the palm side gloves, the cables are there to help you pull up on the sections that are so steep!  Lots of upper body strength as well as careful foot placement.  I didn't feel like I would fall off the edge because I was hanging on for dear life.  The Ranger said it would take 4-5 hours for the hike.  I started at 12:00 noon and finished at 4:08pm.  I took my time and there were many helpful and encouraging hikers along the way.  It is ONLY a 3.9 mile hike but the elevation gain is 2,000 ft.  There was spotty snow on the “highway” facing part of the trail. and then mud and as you headed down and around ……… it was dry on the other side.  I am so happy I just took my time and many deep breaths to bag this peak………5/6……….only 1 more to go!