Picacho Peak is local for those of us living in the Tucson area, although it is just outside of Tucson by about 45 miles.  It is a short strenuous hike to the summit of an isolated desert peak.  From the start, the trail gradually gains elevation until you reach the main saddle, the hiker finds the view breathtaking.  However, it isn't until one looks over the backside that you realize the hike has just begun.  There are steep sections requiring hand-over-hand climbing aided by steel cables and handrails.   Even with the cables, the inclines going up and declines coming down are extremely technical, often times 90 degrees vertical on sheer rock worn smooth by years of hikers.  Once at the actual PEAK, you are rewarded with 360 degrees of awesome views of the surrounding Sonoran desert.  Picacho Peak has been used as a navigational landmark for hundreds of years, was the site of Arizona's only Civil War battle, is a geographic spectacle, and it abounds with petroglyph from prehistoric Hohokams.   There were moments when we wondered what in the world we were doing climbing this peak under such technical conditions, but we both admit to having a blast completing the task and we are PROUD hikers.