SaddleBrooke Hikers summit Panther Peak

Left to right: Tom Conrad, Roland Horst, Ellen Citron, Paul Volpe, Roddy Wilder, Kaori Hashimoto, Lynda Green, Tim Butler, Phil Doyle, Norm Rechkemmer, Seth Basker, Jeff Traft; not pictured Walt Shields, photographer

Left to right: Tom Conrad, Roland Horst, Ellen Citron, Paul Volpe, Roddy Wilder, Kaori Hashimoto, Lynda Green, Tim Butler, Phil Doyle, Norm Rechkemmer, Seth Basker, Jeff Traft; not pictured Walt Shields, photographer

Walt Shields

Thirteen members of the SaddleBrooke Hiking Club completed the strenuous ascent up Panther Peak on April 5. The total hike length is less than six miles but it involves a vertical section up a steep gulley in which over a thousand feet is gained in less than one mile. The summit affords stunning views of the Tucson and Catalina mountains as well as Picacho Peak. Panther Peak together with its sister Safford (Sombrero) Peak are iconic landmarks as one travels south on Interstate 10 toward Tucson. It is a hike not commonly offered by the club.