I hurriedly threw my bag together despite heat warnings playing on the radio. I was certain it would be cooler in Madera Canyon.
My core equipment was moved from off trail bag to larger overnight bag. I threw my sleeping gear in just in case. This time I wanted to take some special equipment with me so I stashed my gimbal and a6400 camera from work in the bag.
I had hoped to make it on the trail in the early morning. It was 12:30 PM and I was just reaching the trail head. I knew in peak physical condition I could make the summit in under 3 hours with full load. However, that was 10 years ago.
Click to watch video of trail
After about an hour of hiking the burn set in. I had a moderate pack on my back with 35 lbs of gear. By Josephine Saddle at 2.2 miles I was doubting my resolve. However, this day was important, I had a mission to place a memorial photo on the summit.
The next milestone, Baldy Saddle is a couple thousand more feet up. I pushed through the burn, making frequent stops. Precious daylight was fading as the evening drew on. I was certain to be on the mountain that night.
The hardest push was those few feet to baldy saddle. Those hours of discomfort lugging my gear were well worth it. The view is spectacular and I could now share it with my friends.
Click to view photos from hike
I camped on the saddle many years ago. We had made a blazing fast push for the summit. Taking a shortcut straight up the mountain and running with a full load out on my back. I am nowhere near that shape right now.
I ditched my sleeping gear at the saddle so I could move faster and rushed up the final trail to the summit, roughly a mile farther.
I had hoped it would rain that day to clear up haze in the sky. No such luck, my entire hike was in the blazing sun with not a single drop of rain.
Haze or not, views at the summit couldn’t possibly disappoint. It’s always spectacular at sunset. Nothing like watching the peak’s 9400 ft shadow extend along the jagged valley floor. Looking at the seemingly infinite number of jagged peaks jut off towards the horizon in all directions.
The thought had crossed my mind to sleep on the ground at the peak. However, I didn’t want to leave my gear laying down below. I headed back down to the saddle, gathered up the gear, and packed it in just as the sun was setting.
The night hike is surreal, especially with a full moon. I was a bit bewildered at one point to see the glow of a dozen or so eyes through my headlamp. I couldn’t make out any figures so I powered on my high intensity flashlight. There were deer in the high mountain meadow I was traversing. Each one curiously looking back at me.
I made it back to my truck around 4 hours after I had left the summit and on home for some much needed R&R.
Here is the path I took
The Mount Wrightson hike is intermediate but forgiving. I’d encourage anybody try it. You can always turn back and there are plenty of places to rest given time. Water is a must, I took 1.5 gallons in my pack. Make sure to go in a group of 3 or more, read the trail head for list of essential equipment, and have a great time!
Living in Arizona has been a real blessing. It’s like god’s playground with rich history, vast public lands, and countless places to explore. I hope you too have the experience to enjoy life in Arizona as I have.