Having oriented myself with the terrain of the peak last month, I decided on the northwest ridge route. Up I went on steep slopes covered in loose rock and thorny mesquite. Made the summit in 35 minutes, where I admired the view for a bit. Did not find a register, but did discover two grinding holes and some pottery sherds. Made my descent the same way, weaving among the sharp fins of dark volcanic rock near the summit, getting destroyed by catclaw, and fighting gravity on the loose rock slopes. I'll sum up Clifton Peak by saying it's short, brutal, but exciting.