Quartz Peak Hike

Contact Info New Scouts Newsletters Find It ! & FAQ Troop Forms / Links Scoutcraft Calendar / Activities Troop Roles & Resp Committee Minutes Web Policy

Home
Up
Quartz Peak Flyer
Photo Gallery

Quartz Peak Hike

Day hike to the very top of Quartz Peak in the Sierra Estrella mountains

This is a hike the 2007 Philmont Crew planned to do but couldn't fit into the training schedule

I hope to have many Philmont '07 (reunion!) and Philmont '09 hikers attending - but it is also open to all Troop Scouts.

Quartz peak is a challengingly steep hike (~2500 feet elevation) but only about 6 miles round trip.

Trip Sat Feb. 23rd  departing at ~6:30am

Trip Leader: Mr. Moore  (Mr. Fitzgerald took over because Mr. Moore was sick)

See Flyer for further details

Post Trip Report:

6 adults, 7 Scouts and one dog tackled Quartz Peak! All the Scout made it to the top - a very challenging hike!!

Timeline:

6:30-Meet at BK
7:00-Depart BK
8:30-Arrive at trail head. 50 degrees, clear skies.
Directions supplied were right on the mark. High clearance vehicles are necessary for the last 15 miles.
9:00-Depart trail head.
This hike is primarily climbing uphill the entire time. Lots of amazing panoramic views. Not for anyone afraid of heights. Boots are recommending as several portions of the trail require climbing on and over rocks and boulders. The last last half mile or so requires advanced bouldering, but you can see the top and it's well worth the work.
11:15-Arrive at the summit. 65-70 degrees. Quartz peak is indeed capped by several large quartz boulders. These boulders are incredibly cold to the touch. Panoramic views of the entire valley are spectacular. South Mountain looks small. The weather was very clear, so the visibility was terrific. I'd hate to do this climb to be presented with a smoggy view of the city.
12:00-Depart summit.
1:30-Arrive at cars.

*These times are for the fastest hikers, generally the oldest boys and the adults assigned to keep up with them. Younger boys took significantly longer going up and down. Time needs to be added when planning this trip for the range of experience and abilities.

An uneventful but awesome trip (the way I like them) - several adults took a lot of great pictures of the hike 

Mr. Fitzgerald 

  Copyright 2006-2008 Troop 278, Ahwatukee, AZ  -  D. Forster - Webmaster     Page Hits Since 12/2008: Hit Counter