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Hiking a namesake by johnr1 This peak is named for George Scott, one of the early mining entrepreneurs in the Glob-Miami district. It seems fitting since the summit overlooks the enormous Ray mine open pit and the mining activity looks like Tonka toys gone wild. This is a straightforward hike almost straight up the side of the mountain and combines solitude with a decent workout. Of course, there is also the attraction of hiking a mountain peak with your name if you happen to be a Scott. The trail head is just south of the Slash S ranch which is an active cattle ranch. You will meet many of the inhabitants and a lot of their leavings. They seem to be reasonably calm but one bull I encountered caused me to bypass his and his ladies portion of the trail. The hike follows a jeep trail along the top of a ridge climbing towards the south side of the peak. Along the way is a variety of mixed vegetation and cactus including Yucca and Century plants in full bloom. There are a couple of prospects and what appear to be some springs though I did not climb down to verify. At a saddle near the top, the jeep trail splits into a southern and northern segment and you follow the northern branch along the west side of the mountain for about a quarter mile. At that point, it is easy to just go straight up the mountain to the shade of some trees along the top ridge. There is no obvious trail, but there is also minimal brush or rocks. At the summit, the 360 degree views are interesting with Picket post and various Superstition landmarks visible. Then there is the fun of watching the miners work. A small summit log is in a can and glass jar and does not show too many people stopping by. Check out the Official Route and Triplogs. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Most recent Triplog Reviews
Scott Mountain Summit
Normally, I like to hike for a relatively level mile or two, to warm up my legs, before the climbing begins. Hiking Scott Mountain, it begins right away. Though 600 AEG in the first mile is only moderately steep — basically the same as hiking North Mountain in Phoenix — because the gain starts right away, it really got my heart pumping. I was about a mile into the hike, when I heard several shots behind me. (On the way out, the sign in log to cross Slash S Ranch had several “pig” [javelina] hunters sign in after me.)
I barely noticed the shallower angle of the 400 AEG second mile. Scott Mountain is visible from the trailhead, and throughout most of the hike. At the end of the second mile, the jeep trail passes the base of Scott’s southeast slope. It does not look far up to the summit, and you may be tempted to have a go. The dense prickly pear patch should dissuade you.
On the south summit slope, I spotted a deeply bowl-shaped tank with a good deal of water in it. The berm of the tank was about 10 ft. high, and made of loose gravel. Almost like overburden from a mine. As I approached the tank, I had seen a rusty metal object, so I went to check it out.
Mine Exploration Video: [ youtube video ]
After spending 50 minutes mine exploring, I got back on the jeep trail. Rather than turning north, along Scott Mountain’s west summit slope, I continued west for a level ⅓ mile, until the jeep trail petered out at the head of Jimmies Luck Gulch, high above Ray Mine. If you don’t like going off trail, or are on this hike just for an elevated view of Ray Mine, that OP is a good spot.
After checking out that view, I backtracked to the intersection, then headed north. In ¼ mile, the jeep trail reaches its high point, before bending to the right. Around that corner, you would have to scale some short vertical wall to summit. Instead, just before the lone tree that marks the bend, turn right (east) and head uphill. It’s steep, and spotted with rocks, cacti and fallen century plants, but the obstacles are easily avoided. Despite having to dodge an angry javelina, I made the summit in 20 minutes.
The Scott Mountain summit is marked by a tall metal pole, painted white and set in cement. The summit is very rocky, and I had to take care with my footing. I was a bit disappointed, as I thought there at least some sort of flat area on top. Camping would be difficult. The views, however, were fantastic.
To the southwest, I could see as far as the Picacho Mountains, 40 miles away. The Catalinas, east of Tucson, were visible 50 miles away. Cake-shaped Picketpost Mountain, only 13 miles northwest, was obvious. In the same direction, 30 miles away, I could make out the Superstition Ridgeline and, just peeking out above some clutter, Miners Needle. To the northeast, Pinal Mountain was so close, it felt like I could reach out and touch it. To the southeast were the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness and Galiuro Mountains.
Most interesting to me was some large white buildings to the north, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. It didn’t take me long to realize I was looking at the mining operation at Oak Flat, on the top of Apache Leap, above Superior.
Speaking of Scott Mountain’s summit log, it was opened in 1991, and I was the first entry since 2013. After 50 minutes of shooting photos & videos, and reading the summit log, I headed down.
It's a bit of a drive from Phoenix, but Scott Mountain has good ROI.
Hike Video: [ youtube video ]
I barely noticed the shallower angle of the 400 AEG second mile. Scott Mountain is visible from the trailhead, and throughout most of the hike. At the end of the second mile, the jeep trail passes the base of Scott’s southeast slope. It does not look far up to the summit, and you may be tempted to have a go. The dense prickly pear patch should dissuade you.
On the south summit slope, I spotted a deeply bowl-shaped tank with a good deal of water in it. The berm of the tank was about 10 ft. high, and made of loose gravel. Almost like overburden from a mine. As I approached the tank, I had seen a rusty metal object, so I went to check it out.
Mine Exploration Video: [ youtube video ]
After spending 50 minutes mine exploring, I got back on the jeep trail. Rather than turning north, along Scott Mountain’s west summit slope, I continued west for a level ⅓ mile, until the jeep trail petered out at the head of Jimmies Luck Gulch, high above Ray Mine. If you don’t like going off trail, or are on this hike just for an elevated view of Ray Mine, that OP is a good spot.
After checking out that view, I backtracked to the intersection, then headed north. In ¼ mile, the jeep trail reaches its high point, before bending to the right. Around that corner, you would have to scale some short vertical wall to summit. Instead, just before the lone tree that marks the bend, turn right (east) and head uphill. It’s steep, and spotted with rocks, cacti and fallen century plants, but the obstacles are easily avoided. Despite having to dodge an angry javelina, I made the summit in 20 minutes.
The Scott Mountain summit is marked by a tall metal pole, painted white and set in cement. The summit is very rocky, and I had to take care with my footing. I was a bit disappointed, as I thought there at least some sort of flat area on top. Camping would be difficult. The views, however, were fantastic.
To the southwest, I could see as far as the Picacho Mountains, 40 miles away. The Catalinas, east of Tucson, were visible 50 miles away. Cake-shaped Picketpost Mountain, only 13 miles northwest, was obvious. In the same direction, 30 miles away, I could make out the Superstition Ridgeline and, just peeking out above some clutter, Miners Needle. To the northeast, Pinal Mountain was so close, it felt like I could reach out and touch it. To the southeast were the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness and Galiuro Mountains.
Most interesting to me was some large white buildings to the north, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. It didn’t take me long to realize I was looking at the mining operation at Oak Flat, on the top of Apache Leap, above Superior.
Speaking of Scott Mountain’s summit log, it was opened in 1991, and I was the first entry since 2013. After 50 minutes of shooting photos & videos, and reading the summit log, I headed down.
It's a bit of a drive from Phoenix, but Scott Mountain has good ROI.
Hike Video: [ youtube video ]
2018-02-08 kingsnake
Scott Mountain Summit
Since I planned on climbing Hot Tamale Peak as well, I drove out the old Jeep trail from Dripping Springs Road around to the west where I parked and did the quick climb to the summit. What should have been a 10 minute climb took closer to 30 minutes, all due to attempting to avoid about every kind of thorny vegetation native to Arizona. Even taking the extra time I was stabbed a few times in the right leg and was bleeding from both forearms well before halfway up.
Great views, yes even of the Ray Mine. I noticed someone else made that same comment in the summit log and immediately below someone else added some x-rated comments dissing the view of the mine, saying it shouldn't even be there. But I beg to differ... I'm not here to debate the pros & cons about open-pit mines, however the various shades were interesting to me.
In my summit log comments I mentioned the fact that whether we like it or not, if we drive a car or use electronic devices for instance, then the minerals mined there are a necessity for us to live with modern conveniences.
Although they really weren't much of a bother, due to the tons of flying ants I spent only enough time at the summit for photos and a 360 panorama video.
The 2-minute summit pan video is here:
http://changephoenix.com/jpserver/web/public/file.php?id=188
I posted all 14 photos on HAZ as well as my web site here:
http://changephoenix.com/jpserver/web/public/album.php?id=183
Great views, yes even of the Ray Mine. I noticed someone else made that same comment in the summit log and immediately below someone else added some x-rated comments dissing the view of the mine, saying it shouldn't even be there. But I beg to differ... I'm not here to debate the pros & cons about open-pit mines, however the various shades were interesting to me.
In my summit log comments I mentioned the fact that whether we like it or not, if we drive a car or use electronic devices for instance, then the minerals mined there are a necessity for us to live with modern conveniences.
Although they really weren't much of a bother, due to the tons of flying ants I spent only enough time at the summit for photos and a 360 panorama video.
The 2-minute summit pan video is here:
http://changephoenix.com/jpserver/web/public/file.php?id=188
I posted all 14 photos on HAZ as well as my web site here:
http://changephoenix.com/jpserver/web/public/album.php?id=183
2012-07-25 CannondaleKid
