Route Editor
Route Scout
360 degree rich history views by joebartels Overview Copper is king and bighorns make good pawns in preserving our american heritage. Bag this peak for a memorable view north of Ragged Top with Picacho in the background. Keep an eye out for Hohokam andesite knives. Desert Bighorn Sheep The herd is/was the last surviving remnant of desert bighorn sheep in southeastern Arizona, having first migrated into North America 11,700+ years ago. Mining In 2014 Silver Bell Mine operator ASARCO reported four pits processing 65 tons per day. With 16.3 million in salaries and $47.3 million in spending. 2031 is the reserve life of the mine. SE View Directly 1 mile away Silver Bell Peak 4261 is 71 feet higher and the highpoint of the monument. The north ridge dropping off 4261 is home to a wildlife water catchment. Listed on topo as Guzzler. Over two dozen helicopter trips transported supplies for the contraption in the spring of 1982. Local legend hiker Pete Cowgill reported on the installation by the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society. Below the large slab catch we saw is a 5000 gallon cylindrical holding tank that resembles a cattle tank. This is 1 of 14 managed water sources in the monument. SW View Confidence Peak is the tip of the iceberg for controversy in the area. The road to the peak, the microwave station, the power lines... you name it. While the first pioneer to setup camp was the beginning of the end, local rancher Carlotta Claflin fought hard for the bighorns. Hike This off trail hike is arbitrary. The grade to the peak is semi unforgiving. Moderate-difficult at worst in my opinion with proper sleep and nutrition heading up. While cholla is abundant, vegetation is avoidable for the most part. This is not a catclaw party, that alone is reason to celebrate with cool and the gang. The Official Route includes three options. FLIVER Route is the most direct. The balance are west and east slope loop variations with Ragged Top. If you wanna rock the casbah, tackle the Billionaire Loop. 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
Silver Bell 4195
Ragged Top - Prospectors - Silver Bell
New territory for both of us.
We both noted that the dirt portion of Silver bell Road was a superhighway compared to the paved portion. We were able to drive in 1 mile closer to Ragged Top, saving 2 miles of RT road walking.
Ragged Top
The off trail path we took was riddled with pokey stuff. I was the lucky host of numerous Cholla. Going CCW we reached our UP, roughly following the Official Track. There was nothing fast about this up. We reached the saddle and the view opened up to the south. I gave the summit a try but got stopped a bit shy.
Prospectors Peak
We spooked a few Javelina on our way to this climb. On top Joe finally took my advice and flew a kite. Clear skies and big views from up here.
Silver Bell 4195
This one was easier than it looked from Prospector.
[ youtube video ]
It was the getting down part that took awhile.
We kicked up a Mule Deer on our way back to the truck.
We both noted that the dirt portion of Silver bell Road was a superhighway compared to the paved portion. We were able to drive in 1 mile closer to Ragged Top, saving 2 miles of RT road walking.
Ragged Top
The off trail path we took was riddled with pokey stuff. I was the lucky host of numerous Cholla. Going CCW we reached our UP, roughly following the Official Track. There was nothing fast about this up. We reached the saddle and the view opened up to the south. I gave the summit a try but got stopped a bit shy.
Prospectors Peak
We spooked a few Javelina on our way to this climb. On top Joe finally took my advice and flew a kite. Clear skies and big views from up here.
Silver Bell 4195
This one was easier than it looked from Prospector.
[ youtube video ]
It was the getting down part that took awhile.
We kicked up a Mule Deer on our way back to the truck.
2018-03-03 The_Eagle
Silver Bell 4195
Ragged Top - Prospectors - Silver Bell
Action Plan
One of my favorite accountants coined ragged inspiration with his 2014 Rags to Riches Loop. 2 weeks ago Fliver dusted Silver Bell. Ironwood Forest National Monument festered an itch that needed scratching so I whipped up the Billionaire Loop.
Ragged Top
Fun approach. Reminded me of my first love Brown's Peak. Like that first attempt, I'm not ready yet. Just above the saddle I suggested Bruce summit by himself. He got close before changing his vote to pro life.
North up to the saddle was fun. South down the flipside was a smidgen less sketchy steep. The descent included a trick area that made it possible. Nice geology.
Prospectors Peak 3810
The slow 1400 ft ascent put a fork in my masterpiece loop. Before summiting Bruce was already checked out mentally. Time was slipping away too. Worthy peak. If I had to choose, 4195 has better 360 views.
Silver Bell 4195
33 minutes after leaving 3810 we set foot on 4195. That along with real live fliver dust raised our spirits!
Sloth Dragstrip
Logic and spirit pulled the reins on the Billionaire Loop. Descending back to the desert floor sucker punched my three hours of sleep and lack of nutrition. Keeping up with the old geezer was misery. Ragged-Wolcott saddle didn't appeal to either of us. The bajada shuffle around Wolcott felt more like a whipping than a positive trade off.
Synopsis
As figured it was all slow travel. Bruce doesn't love ascents. I'm slow as molasses descending. Tired was the name of the game. This moderate-difficult all off trail hike turned into when will it be over. Bruce unsuccessfully tried to convince me on the drive home that in some parts of the country people call tater tots hushpuppies. He's never wrong so I'm sure as I type he's in Georgia handing out hushtotts.
Wildflowers
a few sad examples of chuparosa
One of my favorite accountants coined ragged inspiration with his 2014 Rags to Riches Loop. 2 weeks ago Fliver dusted Silver Bell. Ironwood Forest National Monument festered an itch that needed scratching so I whipped up the Billionaire Loop.
Ragged Top
Fun approach. Reminded me of my first love Brown's Peak. Like that first attempt, I'm not ready yet. Just above the saddle I suggested Bruce summit by himself. He got close before changing his vote to pro life.
North up to the saddle was fun. South down the flipside was a smidgen less sketchy steep. The descent included a trick area that made it possible. Nice geology.
Prospectors Peak 3810
The slow 1400 ft ascent put a fork in my masterpiece loop. Before summiting Bruce was already checked out mentally. Time was slipping away too. Worthy peak. If I had to choose, 4195 has better 360 views.
Silver Bell 4195
33 minutes after leaving 3810 we set foot on 4195. That along with real live fliver dust raised our spirits!
Sloth Dragstrip
Logic and spirit pulled the reins on the Billionaire Loop. Descending back to the desert floor sucker punched my three hours of sleep and lack of nutrition. Keeping up with the old geezer was misery. Ragged-Wolcott saddle didn't appeal to either of us. The bajada shuffle around Wolcott felt more like a whipping than a positive trade off.
Synopsis
As figured it was all slow travel. Bruce doesn't love ascents. I'm slow as molasses descending. Tired was the name of the game. This moderate-difficult all off trail hike turned into when will it be over. Bruce unsuccessfully tried to convince me on the drive home that in some parts of the country people call tater tots hushpuppies. He's never wrong so I'm sure as I type he's in Georgia handing out hushtotts.
Wildflowers
a few sad examples of chuparosa
2018-03-03 joebartels
