Overview
East SummitEast Summit West Summit
Difficulty: Easy class 1
Distance: 1 mile round-trip
Elevation Gain: 475 feet
West Summit
Coordinates
33.6230
-112.0527
Difficulty: Easy class 1 up to Class 3 with optional class 4 variation
Distance: 1 mile round-trip
Elevation Gain: About 400 feet
This is a quick and easy summit. A nice way to add another peak to your collection. There are two variations. You can climb to the higher and easier East Summit or you can tag the lower but more dangerous West Summit. The trail to the East Summit is nicely graded with only a few steep, but easy sections. There is loose rock on the way but nothing that is major or undoable for the novice. As for the West summit, the trail leading to the saddle is the same but then it changes. On the Northern side of the West Summit, the mountain slopes steeply away, if you decide to climb from this side you will encounter some gnarly 4th class rock. However if you swing around to the South Side of the West summit, there is an easy Class 3 ascent available to the top.
Summit view looking to the East Getting There
From Interstate 17 heading North
Follow I-17 North until you reach the Bell Road exit (#212). Turn East (right) onto Bell Road until you reach 16th Street. Take a right onto 16th Street and continue to drive South. At this point the mountain will be obvious. Continue until the road deadends in the parking lot. Park and climb.
Red Tape
Park is open Sunrise to Sunset
No Glass Containers
Dogs must be on a leash
Do not destroy or remove plants
If drinking alcoholic beverages, permit required
When to Climb
October through April is probably the best time of year to climb, due to Summer temperatures exceeding 110 degrees. Beware if hiking in the summer of the monsoons and lightning storms.
What to bring
I would bring at least a liter of water
Sunglasses
Sunblock
Good hiking shoes
Camera
Weather Conditions
Click the Satellite picture for a video loop of current weather