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| Macks Peak |
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| One Great Dead Tree |
THE ASCENT
The fire was out, the sun was up, no rain would fall today.
Mack's Peak beckoned from afar, ten hikers made their way.
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| Macks Peak is a Steep Climb |
Following a short one-hour drive, nine robust gentlemen and a solitary
distaff trekker (the inimitable Susan Murphy) opened the car doors to a
crisp, 58-degree morning. Summers in the upper elevations of the Spring
Mountains are an absolute delight. Leaving the trailhead at 8300', the
normal Mack's approach up the dry wash was anything but normal and dry.
Recent rains were in evidence as a crystal clear rivulet of water
guided us up the narrow canyon. Just a tad slippery.
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| The Other End of Macks Peak |
At the base of the final
approach, sticks and egos were stowed, as the crux of the hike lay in
front of us: 250 vertical feet of steep talus and loose rock. Not a
problem for this crew, as the formidable gang of ten inched their way up
upward. After an al fresco lunch on the summit, a rousing rendition of
'Happy Birthday' echoed through the canyon as Tim Borem celebrated 52
years on the Good Lord's verdant earth. Good on ya, Timmer. Shall we
go down?
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| Ten Hikers on Top |
THE DESCENT
Mack's Peak had our six o'clock, ten hikers bid adieu.
Down her flank they scampered, the trek was all but through.
Vitals: 3 1/2 miles, 1800 vertical feet, well under three hours.
(Our resident MIT mathematician John Chang calculates a 21% average ascent rate). ~ Mike OC |
| Steep Climb = Steep Descent |
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| Happy Birthday, Tim! Still Lookin' Good! |
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| Macks Peak Hike with Macks Canyon Road |
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| Steepness Factor |
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