Hike #5: O'Leary

Back in early October, O'Leary Peak was my destination of choice. I'd spotted the trail on my map due to it's nice location next to Sunset Crater, at an angle that looks at the Inner Basin, and seemed high enough to look out over the Painted Desert. I was so determined to take a gander that not even failed FaceBook group hike could keep me off the mountain.


So, once again a solo trekker, I set out on the 10 mile round trip.



The first part of the hike is through Sunset Crater's lava flow.


The rest of the way is a steep, wide, loose gravel trail with the northeast face of the San Francisco peaks always in view.



A long and windy trail,

and a red carpet of chain metal later,

I reached the peak.


Thanks to the tower being closed I had to turn back a few feet prematurely. But that didn't matter as the peak offered all the views that I had predicted from looking at the map:



There was the Inner Basin,

Sunset Crater,

the Painted Desert,

and way off in the distance was the Grand Canyon.



I approved.


Looking back it doesn't really look all that tall, but none the less it's one more mountain in Flagstaff that I've conquered.

Check O'Leary Lookout off the list.