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Flatulent Elephant
Joined: 14 Dec 2010 Posts: 7 Location: Tucson (sometimes)
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Posted: 1/4/2011, 2:57 pm Post subject: Cat Mtn., Little Cat Mtn. - 12.24.10 |
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On Christmas Eve we decided to check out Cat Mtn. & Little Cat Mtn., located @ the SE end of the Tucson Mtn. range.
Not sure how to get pictures to work on this forum, so this will be text only. I've posted this report on another hiker forum (w/pics) & can link to it if anyone shows interest.
We started from the Sarasota TH reached via Ajo Way & Kinney Rd. The trail heads east & then curves northeasterly to the saddle between Cat & Lil' Cat. Several yrs. ago my mom & sis tried looking for a "ridge route" that my dad claimed existed, presumably heading from the saddle area up the west ridge. They nor we could spot anything obvious, so we continued on & turned right onto the Explorer Trail, scanning the north slopes of Cat along the way. @ some point we came across a cairn w/a heart-shaped rock, possibly indicating a route up. We almost took it, but it looked pretty brushy & appeared to be pretty steep higher up. So, we pressed on along the main trail & instead headed for a small saddle toward the eastern end of Cat. From that high point we weaved our way up the north slope, going between rock bands before finally popping out @ the base of the eastern edge of the summit block.
At this point there was a short scramble to gain the final summit ridge. There were a few different ways up so I picked the one I felt most comfortable with (there is some exposure) & clambered up. From there it was an easy walk along the narrow, somewhat exposed ridge line to the top. @ the top we found a solar powered radio thingy & lots of good sitting rocks.
We investigated the west end of the summit area, finding a big drop off & no good way down. More on the NW side there was a steep brushy gully marked w/cairns that may have led way down to the heart cairn, but we chose not to find out & instead headed back more or less the way we came.
Back @ the main saddle, we walked up the eastern slope of Little Cat, being careful where we sat as the very highest rock appeared to be overhanging the abyss. We descended via the NW side, capturing a nice sunset along the way.
Overall this was a nice little easy hike close to town that I would recommend to anyone wanting a quick getaway & who doesn't mind some off-trail travel! _________________ Home is where the hiking is. |
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Deborah
Joined: 06 Oct 2008 Posts: 297 Location: Tucson
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Posted: 1/6/2011, 8:52 am Post subject: |
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I haven't done Cat from this direction. I should try it sometime. _________________ Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life. - Rachel Carson |
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Flatulent Elephant
Joined: 14 Dec 2010 Posts: 7 Location: Tucson (sometimes)
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Posted: 1/6/2011, 10:07 am Post subject: |
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Did you start out from the east side? You may have ended up @ the same place we did eventually for the last bit to the top. _________________ Home is where the hiking is. |
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