Have you hiked on the Arizona Trail? If not you might be surprised to learn that there are great opportunities to experience a day hike on the AZT that are only a short drive from Tucson! One of my favorite sections of the AZT is the Sycamore Reservoir Trail.

Looking down into the Sycamore Reservoir area - the stripe of green marks Sycamore Canyon with the most prominent green area marking the Sycamore Dam and Reservoir.

This hike starts from the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Site just over 7 miles up the General Hitchcock Highway. The Recreation Site is named for Dr. Gordon Hirabayashi who was imprisoned during WW II for resisting the relocation and internment Japanese Americans - a conviction that was overturned by the Supreme Court in 1987. A sidewalk between two foot bridges near the entrance will take you past a several signs with information about the history of the area.

After turning into the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Site take the dirt road past the campsites and restrooms to one of the parking areas near the corrals. The trail begins from the south side of the parking lot - a sign near the beginning of the trail shows the surrounding area and trails - standing in front of the sign you are on the Molino Basin Trail and the Arizona Trail! Follow the trail to the right and down the hill to a signed junction with Soldier Trail - the Molino Basin Trail continues to the right. At just over a mile you will arrive at Shreve Saddle - at the saddle the trail becomes the Sycamore Reservoir Trail and you enter the Pusch Ridge Wilderness.

Shreve Saddle - Arizona Trail sign and gate blocking access to an old road. Beyond this point you are in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness

From the saddle the trail heads steadily downhill - note the junction at 2 miles (it can be slightly confusing on the way back...). At 2.2 miles there is a sign and trail leading off to the left - the trail to the left is an unofficial route that will take you on a short side trip to the dam that was constructed to create Sycamore Reservoir. The reservoir was created to provide water for the Prison Camp - the dam traps water from both Sycamore Canyon and Bear Canyon. While it I don't think anyone would currently describe the area behind the dam as a reservoir the dam does, at times, provide water for an impressive seasonal display of green! Of course, use caution around the old dam.

The dam is hidden by the trees - while the hillside is often green note the change in the right side of the picture form September of 2011 (Green!) and December 2012...

After returning to the main trail you will soon cross Bear Canyon and then notice Sycamore Canyon on your left. At 3.1 miles a large cairn on the left marks the junction with the Bear Canyon Shortcut trail (useful if you are heading to Thimble Peak). At 3.5 miles the trail reaches its end at a junction with the East Fork Trail (the AZT continues down into the Sabino Canyon area - see Dave Baker's AZT entry from this area in 2008) and the Bear Canyon Trail (which will take you to Seven Falls). From this junction there are great views – look carefully and you will see the Palisade Trail winding down to its junction with the East Fork Trail! There are quite a few hiking options from this junction - but one of the simplest is to return the way you came.

The author with Sycamore Dam in the background - be very cautious if you decide to go off trail and scramble to the base of the dam - steep cliffs, loose rock and slippery footing...

Season: Fall, winter and spring.

Water: There is often water near the dam and sometimes in both Bear and Sycamore Canyons. Purify before drinking. As always, it is best to bring plenty of your own.

Difficulty: The hike to the junction with the Bear Canyon Trail and East Fork Trail is just under 7 miles (round trip) with close to 1,000 feet of total elevation gain - moderately difficulty.

Maps: Green Trails Recreation Map - Santa Catalina Mountains.

In the second half of 2012 Inov-8 released 3 new models in their Off-Road series - the Trailroc 235, 245 and 255. Because the fit and features seemed right we decided to stock the entire series - and after getting good feedback from a staff demo day on the Douglas Springs Trail and from several staff members who purchased Trailrocs we are confident they are a great addition to our selection!

Summit Hut Buyer Richard running in Trailroc 235s during a staff demo on the Douglas Spring Trail - after trying the 235s on the demo Richard eventually purchased a pair of 245s.

All of the models in the Trailroc series share the same fit and outsole - but the cushion, protection and drop vary between the models. If you like the fit and the outsole the Trailroc series offers a unique chance to dial in the drop/cushion/protection/drop for your activity/personal preference without changing the fit or grip!

Fit - Inov-8 describes the F-Lite and X-Talon series as having a 'Performance' fit and the Trailroc series as having an 'Anatomic' fit. The obvious difference when you put on a Trailroc is that there is more room in the front of the shoe. For very narrow feet this may be a problem - if you are using the X-Talon 190 or 212 and find the fit to be perfect there is a chance that the Trailroc will be too wide. We think that the Anatomic last is going to be a benefit for many of our customers - while the flexible mesh used on the uppers of the F-Lite series and X-Talon 190 stretches to accommodate many people (see our F-Lite 195 & F-Lite 230 Review for more information) the Anatomic last should be a better solution for a wide range of foot shapes. It is worth noting that the protective rand around the front of Trailroc 255 makes it feel just a bit more narrow than the 235 or 245 (because the material has less stretch/give than the mesh on the 234/245).

The Trailroc outsole - the different colors show the different rubber compounds. On the Trailroc 235 the different rubbers are not colored (the outsole is all green), but the 235 does have the three different rubbers/same outsole.

Outsole - The Trailroc outsole is aggressively lugged and makes use of three different rubber compounds to maximize both grip and durability - but most importantly this outsole performs quite well on trail! For me the X-Talon outsole is slightly stickier, but the difference is minimal and I think that the X-Talon outsole wears down more quickly than the Trailroc outsole (at least with use on rocky Tucson trails!). One question many people have when they first try a light weight shoe with an outsole that has aggressive lugs is if they will feel the lugs push into the bottom of their feet - we have not found that to be a problem with any of the models in the Trailroc series.

Drop - When talking about footwear 'drop', or heel to toe differential, refers to the amount of difference between the height of the heel and the height of the forefoot. A traditional running shoe often has a 10mm to 12mm drop (positioning your heel above your forefoot), some minimal/barefoot footwear (such as Vibram FiveFingers) has a 0 drop (positioning your heel and forefoot on the same level). The Trailroc series offers drops between 0mm and 6mm - if you are currently wearing shoes with a higher/traditional drop it is important to take time to transition to a lower drop shoe. For some suggestions/help/tips about running form and transitioning to lower drop shoes see Merrell's Bareform Page and Inov-8's 'The Transition Journey'.

The side and back of the 235. On the left: Pontatoc Ridge Trail. On the right: Douglas Spring Trail.

235 (Men's, Women's) - 0 drop, 0 Arrow (Inov-8 grades there shoes between 0 and 4 'Arrows' with 0 being a very very minimal shoe and 4 being maximum cushion and protection). The 235 is a great choice if you want a minimal option with an aggressive outsole. You will not have as much ground feel/sensitivity in this shoe as you would find in the F-Lite 195, Merrell Trail Glove or Vibram Spyridon - but you get a much more aggressive outsole that I think will, especially on loose and wet terrain, have better performance. The upper is mesh with TPU overlays that do a good job of providing enough structure to hold your foot in place. The mesh is great for breathability, but it will let in thorns/grass seeds/brush on overgrown trails and you may want more protection in some situations. There is a minimal toe cap that provides a bit of extra protection to for your toes.

The side and top of the 245. On the left: Near the General Hitchcock Highway after the first snow of the season in 2012. On the right: On the shore in Ebey's Landing, WA.

245 (Men's, Women's) - 3mm drop, 1 Arrow. I love my 235s, but after 6 to 8 miles I want something with a little more protection - the 245s are a great solution offering a more cushion and rock plate (the 235 does not have a rock plate). The 245s are minimal enough that I can still feel the trail under my feet, but there is enough protection that my feet still feel good after 15 to 20 miles on the trail. The 245 has the same type of mesh upper found on the 235 - nicely breathable, holds your foot in place well, very little protection from thorns/grass seeds/brush, minimal toe cap. If I could only pick one Trailroc model the 245 would be my choice!

Side and top of the 255. On the left: Near the General Hitchcock Highway after the first snow of the season in 2012. On the right: Taking a break on the Pontatoc Canyon Trail after an off trail adventure on Pontatoc Ridge (should have worn gaiters I guess...).

255 (Men's, Women's) - 6mm drop, 2 Arrow. The 255 is a clear step up from the 245 in terms of support, protection and cushion - your foot is well protected from the trail! In addition the upper of the 255 is the most protective of the series - while the top of the shoe is mesh (which provides good breathability) a thick rand around the front provides good protection from rocks/brush/thorns and substantial protection for your toes. The 255 is my choice when I will be spending time off-trail. The trade off for all of the protection that the 255 offers is that it does not have the ground feel/sensitivity of the 245 or 235 - this could be a positive or a negative depending on your preferences and usage.

The Trailroc series offers great features and options - it is one of my favorites and well worth trying!

30k Start at the 2012 Cave Creek Thriller

October 2012: 3:12:57 and 12.4 miles into the Cave Creek Thriller I reached the Start/Finish line aid station - my first 30k race was not going exactly as I imagined. My stomach rebelled during the first lap, I was tired and hot and I thought about dropping out - but after taking a break 'just one more lap' started to seem possible - so I headed back out onto the trail for more heat and punishment. I don't have a glorious story about how I 'bounced back' with a 'second wind' - it was hot, I felt miserable and I was moving slowly (more walking than running for sure). At the last - gloriously well stocked - aid station (ice!) I sat on the ground and rested before eventually making my way to the finish in 5:27:14 - not exactly the time/run I had hoped for, but I finished!!! While I was wiped out it must not have been that bad since the next day I signed up for the McDowell Mountain Frenzy 25k in December...

Hurting but still smiling during the 2012 Cave Creek Thriller

If you like trail running you should certainly check out Aravaipa Running's events. The Cave Creek Thriller and McDowell Mountain Frenzy are part of the Desert Runner Trail Series. The DRT Series races are held in regional parks in the Phoenix area. For the 2012/2013 season there are 7 events: Cave Creek Thriller, Pass Mountain, McDowell Mountain Frenzy, Coldwater Rumble, San Tan Scramble, Elephant Mountain and Mesquite Canyon. Every run has (near) 30k and 50k distances and they all have other distance options as well (both shorter and longer). All of the races are very well organized - nicely stocked and positioned aid stations, great course markings and friendly people!

2012 McDowell Mountain Frenzy

December 2012: The morning of the McDowell Mountain Frenzy the temperature was nice and cool. There were a few runners in jackets at the start and I wondered if I would be cold, but it only took a few minutes after the start to warm up. I relaxed for the first few miles and enjoyed rambling thru the desert with the other runners. Eventually a small climb gave me a welcome burst of energy - I sped up for a gentle downhill section before yet another stretch of rolling hills slowed me down. At 1:52:37 I finished the first 10.1 mile loop! I struggled to keep my pace up during the second loop as the course continued to roll thru the desert towards the final steep climb. It would have been a triumphant moment to run up the last hill - but I walked it, managing to arrive at the top with just enough energy to enjoy the downhill to finish line - 3:08:34!

Mugs and Gear from the 2012 Cave Creek Thriller and McDowell Mountain Frenzy

A few gear notes:

Garmin fēnix™: Altimeter, Barometer, Compass and GPS all on your wrist - with remarkably good battery life! This is a great navigation tool and way to track your outdoor adventures!

Inov-8 TrailRoc 245: More room in the toe box than the X-Talon and f-Lite series shoes, great traction/grip on the trail, lots of breathable mesh and a lacing system that does a good job of holding your foot in place - there is a lot to like about this shoe!

Balega Soft Tread Quarter Socks: Great feel and these still feel great after a lot of miles on the trail and trips thru the washing machine.

Salomon Advanced Skin S-Lab 5 Pack: In a run like the McDowell Mountain Frenzy there are plenty of great aid stations with food and drink - you certainly don't need a pack! But, for me, these runs are partly a way to get in-shape for unsupported runs in the mountains where I prefer to bring a bit more gear and this pack works incredibly well when moving fast! The Summit Hut will be carrying this pack in 2013.

The trail to Pusch Peak from the west (the Northwest Side Route) is nicely documented in this blog post by Dave Baker - but, like most destinations, there is more than one route to the top! One other option is the 'Southeast Ridge Route' described in "The Santa Catalina Mountains: A Guide to the Trails and Routes" by Pete Cowgill and Eber Glendening (this guide has been out of print for years, but it is a great resource and we try to keep a copy on our map table!). I believe this route sees less use than the Northwest Side Route - perhaps with good reason since there is no shortage of Cholla and Shin Daggers and no trail to speak of - but for most of the route you hike along lovely ridges with great views, perhaps worth the challenges...

This hike is in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness area – two restrictions to be aware of: travel more than 400 feet off trail is forbidden January thru April (this hike is almost entirely off-trail - Pusch Peak is 'closed' during that time period) and dogs are not permitted on the trail (except seeing-eye dogs or handi-dogs).

This is an off-trail adventure - while there is no difficult scrambling there are plenty of unfriendly plants, no trail, steep cliffs and loose terrain - if you are considering this hike please carefully consider the challenges.

Parking for this hike is the Iris O. Dewhirst Pima Canyon Trailhead located at the end of Magee Road. While in the parking lot take note of a large outcropping of rock on the skyline - this outcropping is a valuable landmark. Start hiking along the Pima Canyon trail.

 
Note the large outcropping of rock.

Near mile .5 begin to look for a chance to head north, off the Pima Canyon trail, up the hillside and onto a ridge leading up to the large outcropping. While there are some unremarkable sections on (and up to) this ridge there are also some very beautiful sections!

 
Heading up the ridge with the large outcropping in the distance.

 
A great, but short, section of the ridge up to the large outcropping.

At mile 1 you will still be below the large outcropping. As you get closer to the outcropping the ridge will become less distinct (you may find a faint trail...) and you should look for the easiest path towards the right side of the outcropping. As you come around the outcropping you will see a beautiful - but Shin Dagger filled - hillside, this is a great spot to take a break before heading up to the ridge.

 
Looking back on the large outcropping from the hillside above.

Once you have climbed the hill and are up on the ridge you will have a great view of Pusch Peak. Take the path of least resistance along the ridge towards point 4920 (you can contour around or head to the top of 4920).

The view from the top of 4920 - Table Mountain, The Cleaver, The Tombstone, Rosewood Point - I think the view here may be even better than the view from Pusch Peak!

From 4920 continue following the ridge as it turns to the northwest towards Pusch Peak. The higher you go the more spectacular the ridge becomes. At 2.4 miles you will be at the top!

 
USGS marker at the top of Pusch Peak.

 
Looking back down the ridge.

 
A glimpse of Table Mountain from Pusch Peak.

From the top you can reverse the route up and head back to the trailhead with a total mileage of approximately 4.7 miles and just over 2300 feet of elevation gain/loss.