While I am on this 2-week trip to Arizona, I thought I’d visit the Mescal Mountains. Unfortunately, the Mescal Mountains suffered from a 73,000-acre wildfire back in June of 2021. I decided to tag the highpoint of the Mescal Mountains, which is El Capitan Mountain (6575’).
I was happy to see so much vegetation coming back so soon after the fires.
The day was sunny and cool with a pretty stiff breeze. The hike started out on a n old jeep trail, then went cross country to the summit. Trekking poles were mandatory as the terrain was covered in tall grass, agave plants, and cactus…covering a loose rocky rubble. Slow going or you are sure to twist an ankle.
The view from the top was worth the effort.
Hike starts out on this old jeep trail…
An un-named drainage below…
Farther up stream of the un-named drainage…
Walking through an abandoned homestead / farm…
…complete with the “Coldspot” refrigerator. Probably from the 50’s…
This is where the cross country begins…and where I’ll gain most of the elevation today.
Looking back down at where I came from.
Up on the ridge, time to find the highest point…
After a few of these false summits, I can see the true summit of El Capitan Mountain…
At the summit looking NE…
At the summit looking NW…
On my way back…can you see the rocky rubble hiding under the grass…UGH!
Back at camp, looking at El Capitan Mountain…
The route I took…
