Peak 3,651 - Hell's Canyon Wilderness, AZ

From the Burro Flats Trailhead proceed due East down the drainage in the direction of the north saddle of Peak 3651. The going is easy, as cattle and burro in the area have created numerous game trails. Keep your eye out for gold, as there is quite a bit of surface quartz and you just never know. Head up the soft ridge leading to the saddle, if you reach a 4-wire fence strung east-west, you are too far north. I try to stay on the south side of ridges when possible, as the vegetation is usually thinner and travel is easier. Upon reaching the saddle area, follow the summit ridge south to the summit, where I formed a small cairn. There was no summit register, so I placed a card in a plastic bag under the main stone. If you head southeast about a hundred yards, you will find a great slanted stone to cop a rest, complete with shade from a saguaro if the time is just right.


The return is along the same route. The rock is fairly stable, the slope moderate, and there is hardly any catclaw or cholla; an off-trail hikers paradise. Vegetation is primarily brittlebush, jojoba, ocotillo, and palo verde. I have seen burro in this area on previous trips, but nothing this time. I would recommend this trail to anyone looking for a fairly easy off-trail peak bag. That being said, you will need a high-clearance vehicle to reach the trailhead, particularly if you are coming up Morgan City Wash. As with any off-trail adventure, I wear mid-weight boots, low-gaiters, ripstop long pants and sleeves, and leather gloves (and a hat if the sun is blazing), sunglasses or clear lenses are also great for keeping thorny brush away from eyeballs. I find there is an inverse correlation between enjoyment and blood loss.

2011-11-26 Barrett