A warm morning; I was only originally planning to do Union Peak via the Desert Vista trailhead, and then another peak (Peak 2144') caught my eye. I hadn't even summitted Union Peak at that point, so I told myself I wanted to see how I felt after the planned summit before trying anything else. I noted from the previous logged ascent on Peak 2144' that it is on AZ state trust land (or at least that you cross it), and happily I had purchased my state land trust permit yesterday and printed it out, and stuck it in my pack this morning. So, I knew I had the right permit to be where I wanted to go, just in case someone wanted to know what I was doing and why. Union Peak was super easy - man, the City of Phoenix makes *really nice* trails. (Las Vegas, Henderson, etc., are you listening?!) There was even a summit register! Had just been started a few months ago, but that still felt nice to read and sign. :) From the summit of Union Peak, I checked the maps (also, A+ Peakery app for having the trails) and my GPS location and decided I'd at least go scout out the Cactus Wren trail as it passes somewhat close to Peak 2144'. Looking at the map, I recognized that if I didn't get it *now*, I'd be in for a somewhat long and boring hike to just get it in the future, whereas if I did it now, it'd be a lollipop loop.
Once I broke off the Cactus Wren trail to go cross-country towards Peak 2144', I quickly found a doubletrack road that had been used probably in the last year or two? Found some empty cans and broken glass... (sigh), and followed that OHV/4x4 track up the saddle to the little prominence that is directly south of Peak 2144'. A helicopter (Phoenix PD?) was doing drills in the area - flying just east of the peak - and I was super nervous, but little ol' me wasn't enough to stop their drills, I guess. They did fly by somewhat close several times, but it looked they were more practicing over the Cave Buttes dam area. I went straight up the southern side of the peak - as you can see from the topo lines, it's pretty much just a big bump and there's no "easy" route up. I was surprised by how much grass (dried) was on the way up to the summit. Thankfully I did not encounter any snakes, or really any wildlife other than angry cactus wrens who spent a lot of time screeching at me for disturbing them. (sorry!) Straightforward up, took some pics and selfies, sat next to the summit cairn and ate a snack (since I was low on energy), and then picked my way back down toward a trail I could see from the summit. Turned out it was another doubletrack/OHV trail that wasn't recently used, but I was able to follow it easily back to the official Cactus Wren Trail and complete my loop.
By the time I got back to my car, it was 85°F+ and climbing. Overall, a good hike and I got my first "shitty desert peak", as Kevin calls them. I miss hiking with my Las Vegas friends... Shitty desert peaks are more fun when we're all together. But, yay! My first off-trail peak done with no issues (and completely solo), got to try out my new shiny land trust permit (sorta), and I got a nice trail peak too! And amazingly, even though I was wearing shorts, I did NOT stab myself with any cacti!