Challenge, accomplishment, defying

Amanda Riddle/Arizona Summer Wildcat Picacho Peak is located about 40 miles west of Tucson, on the way to Phoenix, on the south side of Interstate 10. A hiking trail starts at the base of the peak and climbs to the top, where a rope must be used to reach the summit.

Like ants marching one by one, the featureless cars stretched into the distance as I stood perched on my mountainous tower somewhere between Tucson and Phoenix.

While many drive by, few stop. I once was one of the many who passed Picacho Peak State Park on numerous trips to Phoenix, ignoring its beckoning presence. But last week I decided to accept its challenge - knowing little about what was in store.

I found that while hiking Picacho Peak is a challenge, this should not deter anyone who enjoys hiking from trying it. The four-hour excursion to the top of the peak gives the ultimate sense of accomplishment: you cannot get any higher than the point you a re at.

7:20 a.m. With my quart of water ( 2 liters of water is recommended) and Powerbar in one hand, and hiking shoes and sunblock in the other, I feel energized as I head out the door.

8 a.m. After a 35-minute drive on Interstate 10, with a view of the peak for the majority of the 40 miles to remind me of my task, I turn off on exit 219 and proceed left onto Picacho Peak Road. The trailhead to the hike that I chose is at the end of Pica cho Peak Road and very easy to find. There are two trails that take you to the highest point of 3,374 feet, depending on how long you want to hike. The "real" hike is Sunset Vista, a 3.1 mile (one-way) hike that winds along the west side of Picacho Peak. For those not up to the challenge, Hunter Trail is a 2-mile hike (one way) that begins on the east side.

8:12 a.m. I read the trail information and one hiking suggestion remains in my head as I start off on the trail to meet my destiny. "Glove will protect hands while using cables." Cables. What cables?

The trail gives the hiker no time to get warmed up, it begins immediately with a steep grade and consists of loose sedimentary rock. Then the trail heads away from the peak to flat ground, allowing you to relax and take it easy. After the first 50 minutes of hiking are behind me, the trail leads back toward the peak and changes drastically.

Up to this point the hike did not live up to its "difficult" label but what lay ahead took my breath away - literally. The trail leads into the south end of Picacho Peak, which is the highest point. It consists of a steep incline that zigzags up the side of the mountain and requires a lot of energy and concentration. Because of the vertical face, chains are required in three areas to make it possible to continue. The first experience with the chains is not as bad as it appears to be - just don't look down . I found that I did not need gloves for this part, but an elevator would have come in handy. Nonetheless, because of its difficulty, climbing the peak is the best part of the hike.

9:50 a.m. Reaching the top of the peak makes the previous 40 minutes of questioning my sanity worthwhile because of the sense of accomplishment and the great bird's-eye view of what extends beyond the interstate.

10:30 a.m. I attempted the descent after a long rest at the top to rejuvenate my legs. This requires concentration because the steep ground wills my feet to land me on my butt and roll me to the bottom. Although this is tempting, because it would be much faster, I resist and manage to remain in one piece, completing the hike by noon.

On a scale of one to five (with five being "hiking utopia"), I'd give the Sunset Vista trail a four. I don't know why it doesn't deserve a five, but I think there is probably a hike out there somewhere in the state of Arizona that defines nirvana.