Monthly Archives: December 2015

Table Top, Arizona, December 2015

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Paul McClellan

Sunday, December 13, I hiked Table Top, the high point of the Table Top Mountains in the Sonoran Desert National Monument west of Casa Grande, Arizona. Table Top is a volcanic peak with 2333 feet of prominence, making it one of the 73 Arizona peaks with at least 2000 feet of prominence. Table Top has a maintained trail leading to the SW (false) summit and an unmaintained trail leading from there to the true summit to the northeast. I enjoyed hiking the trails and viewing the surrounding mountains and valleys in clear skies and pleasant temperatures. Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Sierra Estrella, Arizona, December 2015

Posted on December 13, 2015 by Paul McClellan

On Saturday, December 12, I joined climbers from Las Vegas and Phoenix to climb the high point of the Sierra Estrella. I mostly hike/climb solo anymore, but I was glad to be part of a competent group on this peak to help with routefinding and motivation on a long off-trail ascent over rock and through cactus. There were lots of opportunities to make a mistake ascending and descending a rocky ridge and descending dry waterfalls in a wash. It was also helpful to follow others on a primitive jeep trail to get to the start of the climb. Continue reading →

Posted in Climbing, Hiking | Tagged , | Leave a comment