GlassMountains Trip Reports

Exploring the backcountry and wilderness of the Western USA.

Trip Reports

Browns Peak, Arizona, December 2017

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On Saturday, December 2, I joined the Southern Arizona Hiking Club (SAHC) on a climb of Browns Peak. Browns Peak is located in the Four Peaks Wilderness northeast of Phoenix at the southern terminus of the Mazatzal Mountains. It is the northernmost and highest of the Four Peaks with 7657 feet of elevation. More significantly, Browns Peak is the 18th most prominent peak in Arizona with 3297 feet of topographic prominence.

Looking up at the summit of Browns Peak. The route climbs the steep gully to the right of center.
Looking up at the summit of Browns Peak. The route climbs the steep gully to the right of center.

This was my first SAHC outing for the winter season. We met early in the morning in Oro Valley, carpooled north through Globe and along Roosevelt Lake, then turned west onto the gravel El Oso Road. After several miles we eventually reached the Lone Pine Trailhead north of Browns Peak.

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Three Western Arizona Peaks, November 2017

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On November 25-27 I hiked three Western Arizona peaks. Signal Peak and Castle Dome Peak, are located in the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge between Yuma and Quartzsite. I climbed these with old and new Arizona peakbagging friends. On the last day I hiked Cunningham Mountain, located just southwest of Quartzite. This was my first time in this region of Arizona and I enjoyed exploring these peaks.

Signal Peak

Signal Peak from the West, Kofa Mountains
Signal Peak from the West, Kofa Mountains

On Saturday, November 25, Eric Kassan, Stacey Samuels, and I hiked Signal Peak. Signal Peak is located in the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge of Western Arizona. Signal Peak is the highpoint of the Kofa Mountains. It is also the 16th most prominent peak in Arizona with 3477 feet of topographic prominence.

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White Mountains, Arizona, October 2017

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On October 26 and 27 I hiked Mount Baldy and Escudilla Mountain in the White Mountains of Eastern Arizona. These two peaks had been on my want list for several years. I wanted to hike them in the autumn before snowfall covered the White Mountains.

Mount Baldy from Escudilla Mountain
Mount Baldy from Escudilla Mountain

Thick smoke filled the air as I drove in towards Mount Baldy on October 25. I hoped for better weather the next day and continued towards the Winn Campground beyond the trailhead. The campground was closed so instead I found a dispersed campsite nearby.

After a pleasant dinner I discovered parts of an elk carcass nearby. It was a breezy and cool evening and after sunset I heard coyotes howling and elk bugling. After the moon set the sky filled with many stars. The White Mountains are far from population centers and the high open country makes for excellent night sky watching.

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South Sister, Oregon Cascades, October 2017

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On October 4 I hiked up South Sister, an “ultra prominence” peak in the Cascade Range west of Bend, Oregon. South Sister is the third highest peak in Oregon with 10358 feet of elevation. It is the fourth most prominent peak in Oregon with 5588 feet of topographic prominence. The climb is a straightforward but scenic hike and was a well-needed workout for me.

South Sister from the climbers trail
South Sister from the climbers trail
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