The Beehive

Last week, as we climbed Squirrel Peak and took in the surrounding views, we were reminded of our failed attempt to reach the top of The Beehive nearly nine months ago.  We (Kent & Allison) were not so sure we wanted to try it again, but after researching different southerly routes, Tom thought we ought to give it another go.

Boy, are we glad we did!  We can't say enough about this hike and anything we try to describe will fall short of our actual experience.  This is just one hike you have to experience for yourself, in order to appreciate all the different aspects (challenges, beauty, vistas) it has to offer.   As Tom said to us, often, throughout the hike, "Sometimes it's good to push a little beyond your comfort zone."  He was right!  Because of that extra push this hike went from special to epic!

We have been down this road before . . . 261 days ago to be exact!

Kent & Tom have done their research as to the best route up through the cliffs
(There's not too much to go on, other than it's possible - others have made it)  

Even so, we discovered two good ascent routes on our own . . .
Kent & Allison took the Hoodoo . . . Tom scrambled up the Buzzard
(Hoodoo & Buzzard are the names we gave our routes)

Watch for this little Hoodoo and Buzzard rock formations and you'll be good to go!

Kent tried the Buzzard, but he chickened out and let Tom have at it . . .
The incline was deceptively steep and there were few hand holds

He liked the Hoodoo much better!
As you can see, Tom made it up The Buzzard, and was waiting to help Kent 

Look out, here comes Allison!
There certainly was more exposure on this route . . . but it was less steep
and provided decent hand holds . . . still, though, it was a little unnerving!

Tom is working his way up our second & final climb . . .
Allison actually went up the flat rock, to the left of Kent,
and was able to summit without having to climb through the crack 

We are up on the ridge and headed for The Beehive . . . look what lies ahead!

This is going to be fun!

 It's magical!

Just a sampling of the unique volcanic rock  

The Beehive is so amazing . . . it's hard to describe

It looks like Tom & Kent are walking on a beach . . . but it's sandstone!

A chocolate Rice Krispie treat?!

Such intricate design! 

We found a great lunch spot . . . no wind, no crowds or waiting for a table!
(Hard to believe 50 miles away it was snowing at Tom's house)

Sorry Kent . . . the true summit or highpoint (6,476) is . . . the Hoodoo on the left!  Tom wins!

There was still a little snow on the north side
(This is the side we tried to come up last April - if one can handle
the very steep descent this would make for a nice loop hike)

As the crow flies, Zion National Park is about 10 miles away!  What a view!
(That's the West Temple of Zion)

Squirrel Peak is just off to Allison's right
(We did this fun and rewarding hike last week) 

It looks like snow behind us . . . but it's just pure white sandstone

Root remnants of a tree that once was growing on this beehive

It's time to head back down . . . what a great time we had exploring The Beehive!
We have a feeling we'll be back!

This picture of The Beehive was taken from our Squirrel Peak hike a week ago.

Little did we know it would help us plan our route . . . but it did, and it worked!

Ah! Stung no more!

 

A special thanks to Tom who encouraged us to give this mountain another try.  You can find Tom's Peakbagger trip report by clicking here.  This will give you a topo map and gps tracks to follow, should you want to take a similiar route as we did.  Round-trip mileage was 6.5 miles for this hike and took us about six hours.

Squirrel Peak

A couple of weeks ago, Tom and Lola tried, unsuccessfully, to climb Squirrel Peak.  If you know Tom, you understand that if he "doesn't succeed the first time, he'll try, try again."  If there's another option, and it has possibilities, he'll be back.  So was the case with Squirrel Peak.

When he sent pictures of the new route he was going to try the next time, it looked interesting to us and so we asked if we could come along.  We're "fortunate" that he didn't make it the first time or we would have missed out on sharing this amazing hike with a great friend!  What an excellent way to start off the New Year!

A beautiful morning for a hike . . . what better way to start off the New Year!

We managed to cross over Water Canyon Creek without getting our feet wet! 
(Thanks to being partially frozen and some stepping stones)

Tom had our route all planned out . . . breaks included!

We quickly worked our way up to some great views
(This is looking south . . . down Water Canyon toward Colorado City)

There is no trail . . . just a lot of loose rock and a fair amount of sand

Once we reached the saddle, it became apparent, we still had a ways to go!

From here it got interesting . . . a little bushwhacking and using all fours!
(Our plan was to get up on the spine and follow it to the top)

This volcanic rock really seemed out of place

It looks like we are getting close! 

On the spine . . . at times, it was narrow and had drop offs on both sides

Looking back down the spine toward Arizona (Mt. Trumbull in the far distance)

The landscape was like being on another planet
You would think the summit was in sight, but it's behind the one pictured here

Finally, we are on top of Squirrel Peak . . .
Low and behold there was an angel waiting for us!
Just kidding, it was Allison taking the picture!
 Water Peak towers over Kent and The Beehive is on the right

Moqui marbles!

Tom and his best buddy Lola

Tom took a picture of us in front of The Beehive . . . 
So Allison could prove she hiked Squirrel Peak! 

We have plans to come back after The Beehive
  Our first attempt, in April, failed . . . bzzz!
(Tom has a different route planned for this one, as well . . .
Should be interesting . . . stay tuned!)

Kent and Tom are looking down toward Water Canyon

This sandstone formation is the actual Highpoint on Squirrel Peak

Being the Peakbagger he is, Tom had to bag this "Squirrel" once and for all!
(Man, does this guy look satisfied or what?)

Time to start back down the spine . . . 
Heading for the scary part . . . thankfully, it's just a short section!

If you're afraid of heights, this section might give you the willies!
(Looking down on the Water Canyon Trailhead)

A squirrel-y manzanita bush with colorful red bark

This is the section where Kent would have turned around . . . 
With Tom's assurance (and help) we were able to negotiate the narrow chute

This was a welcome sight!  We're almost home free!

The red line shows the route we took . . . 
(Click on the picture to enlarge the view)
Little did we know the actual top of Squirrel Peak is not visible from this angle

This was an exceptional hike - one we would highly recommend!  All told it took us around five hours, due mainly to the loose rocks and some route finding, but was only about 3.5 miles in length.  If you would like a topo map with GPS tracks of our route, you can click here for a link to Tom's Peakbagger post.