THOMPSON PEAK! Miles: 9+. Time: 3 Hours, 45 minutes. Calories: LOTS!

I DID IT! I made it to the summit of Thompson Peak as planned and returned safe and sound to talk about it and post photos! Unfortunately my Internet and GPS connectivity there wasn't very good so my Runkeeper iPhone app didn't accurately record my distance and calorie statistics, but at least I know how long it took me. 

I parked at the trail head in Fountain Hills and started from that point at 7:53.

The trail was mostly unpaved and easily walked - quite a contrast to the rocky surfaces of Camelback Mountain that I encountered last week. There was lots of great desert scenery.

Further on, the trail started to get steeper, and in the very steep parts, it was paved. That's because this is a service road used by vehicles to get to the transmission towers at the summit. 

Here's a clearing with a great view of Scottsdale and Camelback Mountain (where I was last week) in the distance:

Getting closer to the summit:

5 minutes from the summit, there is a warning sign about excess radiation levels. I decided to snap a few photos as quickly as possible before rushing back down.

The first direct view of the buildings and towers at the summit. THE END IS IN SIGHT!

The locked and fenced off area containing the buildings and transmission towers at the summit:

A couple of close up views of the main tower with great views of the McDowell Mountain Ranch area of Scottsdale in the background. The Arizona Canal runs diagonally across the picture in the background.

Looking down on to some of the "lesser McDowells" from the summit:

I swear the descent seems more physically challenging than the ascent - and the trail seems to go on forever!

Great views along the descent, with Four Peaks in the distant background to the left:

Anyway, that's it for today. This was definitely a sufficient workout for today, and I'm going to use what little muscle strength I have left to hobble to the Jacuzzi for recuperation and rejuvenation. Went out for a little lunch to replenish my energy first: 

NO - scratch that - I'M JUST KIDDING! This is a heart-friendly blog.

I really came home and had soup and veggies. I promise.