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May 02, 2021 — I parked at Pioneer Pass, accessible by any car, and started first to Pinal Peak. The trailhead is marked obviously and the trail switchbacks and winds up Pinal Peak's east ridge. There are snippets of a view toward East Mountain, as well as views to the south. Otherwise it's a pretty and forested walk. A quarter mile from the summit, the trail meets with the Pinal Peak dirt road system. Yes, you can drive up to Pinal Peak from the west, but where's the fun in that? I made it to the high point and didn't hang around becaue the many clusters of radio towers obscured most of the opportunity of a panoramic view.
Back at the trailhead, I headed west along the trail I'd be taking to access East Mountain. The trail started through the forest on an old dirt road before narrowing into a proper trail, then kept to the east of the ridge crest, where it introduced unobstructed views to the east. It then passed over a minor saddle and continued on the west side of the ridge crest, great views toward the massive Pinal Peak. The trail eventually made it to the ridge crest north of East Mountain. From here it would continue north and start to descend, no official trail leading to the true summit. I started south along the ridge crest, which was quite steep. East Mountain's summit wasn't memorable, trees blocking most of the view.
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