Wasson Peak
Wasson Peak
Went south to avoid the rain and was blessed with a great hike. Unfortunately I forgot to record it on the gps
March 15, 2023
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Join the Challenge!
The 5th Annual Arizona Winter Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge is a self-guided hiking challenge that takes you up six iconic Arizona mountains. You can complete the hikes in six months, six weeks or six days. You set the schedule that works best for you.
The hikes start easier and work up to longer and more challenging climbs, culminating with iconic Flatiron, a climb of over 3,100 vertical feet!
You can climb them in order as you build your strength and endurance, or mix it up. The choice is yours. Your registration will help support Big City Mountaineers, so you'll be doing good for others with each peak you climb.
Map of the Arizona Winter Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge
The Peaks of the Arizona Winter Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge
PIESTEWA PEAK– Elevation 2,608′ (795 m)
The second tallest in the Phoenix Mountains, Piestewa Peak has a lot to offer considering its location and length. It has great views into the rest of the Phoenix Mountain Range and into the city of Phoenix. It has easier flat sections, challenging steep sections, and a short scramble to the true summit.
Six-Pack Route Details: Hiking Piestewa Peak in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve
Distance: 2.2 miles; Vertical +/- 1,112 feet
Six-Pack Alternate Route Details: Hiking Piestewa Peak from Dreamy Draw
Distance: 6.6 miles; Vertical +/- 1,760 feet
CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN – Elevation 2,707′ (825 m)
Camelback Mountain is the most popular mountain to hike in the Phoenix area for good reasons. It’s a fun challenging hike from either side, it has good views of the Phoenix area, and it’s entertaining to compare its profile to a napping camel.
Six-Pack Route Details: Hiking Camelback Mountain via the Echo Canyon Trail
Distance: 2.4 miles; Vertical +/- 1,400 feet
Six-Pack Route Details: Hiking Camelback Mountain via the Cholla Trail (re-opened with new trailhead)
Distance: 2.8 miles; Vertical +/- 1,246 feet
PICACHO PEAK – Elevation 3,374′ (1,028 m)
Picacho is one of those peaks that you look at and can’t tell how there’s possibly a trail to the top, so it’s no surprise that this is one of the most exciting two and a half mile hikes out there. Once you make it beyond the halfway saddle, it’s a rollercoaster of a mountain and emotion. You’ll be thankful for the system of steel cables there for you to cling to along all the steep, bare rock sections.
Six-Pack Route Details: Hiking Picacho Peak via the Hunter Trail
Distance: 2.4 miles; Vertical +/- 1,986 feet
FREMONT SADDLE – Elevation 3,766′ (1,148 m)
Peralta Canyon gives access to one of the most breathtaking views in Arizona. At Fremont Saddle, you’ll have a spectacular vantage point of a massive and surprising monolith. Often playing a role in stories of the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine, Weavers Needle is a 1,000 foot column of rock that protrudes impressively from the surrounding desert landscape.
Six-Pack Route Details: Fremont Saddle via Peralta Canyon
Distance: 4.8 miles; Vertical +/- 1,496 feet
WASSON PEAK – Elevation 4,687′ (1,429 m)
Wasson Peak is the tallest mountain in the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park. This loop hike travels along ridges with grand desert vistas and through some of the thickest Saguaro forest in Arizona.
Six-Pack Route Details: Hiking Wasson Peak in Saguaro National Park
Distance: 7.7 miles; Vertical +/- 1,886 ft.
FLATIRON – Elevation 4,871′ (1,485 m)
Located in Lost Dutchman State Park of the Superstition Wilderness, Flatiron is one of the most challenging and spectacular hikes in Arizona. The Siphon Draw Trail brings you passed towering rock formations, up a basin carved smooth by water, and tops out on one of the most iconic rock formations in the Southwest.
Six-Pack Route Details: Hiking Flatiron via Siphon Draw
Distance: 6.6 miles; Vertical +/- 3,147 feet
Alternate Peak
For 2023, Quartz Peak has been designated an optional alternate peak. If you choose, you can replace any of the six peaks above with this mountain.
QUARTZ PEAK – Elevation 4,052′ (1,235 m)
One of the highest points in the Sierra Estrella Wilderness, Quartz Peak offers spectacular views from atop a unique summit block made of white quartz. This challenging trail has beautiful vistas of the Rainbow Valley as it climbs a rugged ridge from the valley floor to the crest of the Sierra Estrella.
The road conditions to Quartz peak have deteriorated and we only recommend attempting this summit if you have a high clearance vehicle and off-roading experience. Check recent hike logs for more information from fellow challengers.
Six-Pack Route Details: Hiking Quartz Peak in the Sierra Estrella Wilderness
Distance: 6 miles; Vertical +/- 2,400 feet
Camelback Mountain
Camelback
Another beautiful day, trail was a bit crowded though, likely because of spring break.
March 13, 2023
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Perilous Picacho peak
Decided last minute to tackle this hike – was absolutely worth the strenuous and downright scary cabling. I would not have made it without some
March 13, 2023
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Picacho Peak
Photographer fired
Had an amazing hike with a new friend and had a lot of fun with the steep cable pull rises but my photographer kept my
March 12, 2023
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Fremont Saddle
March 12, 2023
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Piestewa Peak
March 12, 2023
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