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 This spur trail leads from McKittrick Trail #72 to the old decommissioned lookout tower at the summit of Blue Peak (9,355 ft), the high point of the Blue Range Primitive Area. The junction for this spur trail is one mile east of the parking for the McKittrick Trail at the end of Forest Road 184. Stats shown for this hike are for the out-and-back to the peak from the parking area at the end of FR184, which is what most people hike. *Note: Blue Lookout Trail #71 does not go to Blue Peak. It begins along the McKittrick Trail and heads north, down into the drainage that ends at KP Creek. 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
Blue Peak 9355
Well, I don't think they really want people doing this hike lol. I had just finished Escudilla in the morning and thought that Blue (at reported 3 miles rt) would be doable in the afternoon. I am on my quest for the 20 highest peaks in AZ. It was about an hour drive to the forest road (I think it was 184). I have a high clearance vehicle, but this road was not well maintained. I drove about 1.5 miles in and decided to pull off and park. So, then I hike the 2.5 miles to the trailhead. This part was pretty easy (and prob faster than me driving haha). The trailhead was well marked at the end of the road along with a register. The trail itself is 1.5 miles each way, gradual climbing to the summit. I did not have any problem with ever losing the trail even though it is not maintained (at all). Lots of fallen trees to climb over, around and under. The problem is the trail is very narrow, so not a lot of options. The trail also has very overgrown rasberry bushes, which, unfortunately, were not in season during my trip. I read the other reviews, so I was prepared and had long pants (because these things have thorns), which was very helpful. I would guess that at least 50% of the trail was covered in the bushes. At the top, the abandoned tower is there and the bottom section of stair planks have been removed, but it is still climbable 
. Beautiful views from the top and crisp, clean air. Probably a one and done hike for me though.
. Beautiful views from the top and crisp, clean air. Probably a one and done hike for me though.2019-06-25 stacyboyd
Blue Peak 9355
After our side trip to Greenlee County High Point we drove over to FR184 where we planned on car camping. At the end of this forest road is the short trail to Blue Peak. We decided it was the perfect afternoon hike before settling in for our final night in The Blue.
We started hiking around 3:50pm and made good time over the first mile of trail. There is some sporadic downfall and thorny bushes along the way. The trail grew more dense as we continued and the final quarter mile to the summit was a bloody fight! I wish I wore pants.
We hit the lookout tower and climbed up to the top where we were greeted with wonderful 360 degree views. The four of us spent several minutes up top taking a variety of pics. This tower hasn’t been used in a long time and it’s falling apart. Most of the windows are gone and the floor makes you think twice.
After we had our fill we climbed back down and returned to the car at the TH. From there we drove roughly a mile back and picked a campsite right off the road. This hike was the perfect way to end our day and I really enjoyed the views up top.
We started hiking around 3:50pm and made good time over the first mile of trail. There is some sporadic downfall and thorny bushes along the way. The trail grew more dense as we continued and the final quarter mile to the summit was a bloody fight! I wish I wore pants.
We hit the lookout tower and climbed up to the top where we were greeted with wonderful 360 degree views. The four of us spent several minutes up top taking a variety of pics. This tower hasn’t been used in a long time and it’s falling apart. Most of the windows are gone and the floor makes you think twice.
After we had our fill we climbed back down and returned to the car at the TH. From there we drove roughly a mile back and picked a campsite right off the road. This hike was the perfect way to end our day and I really enjoyed the views up top.
2016-05-29 John9L
Blue Peak 9355
This is a short mile-and-a-half trip from the end of the road to the summit of Blue Peak, the highest peak in the Blue Range Primitive Area.
Finally figured out that this hike actually involves hiking a mile on the McKittrick Trail before heading up the unnamed spur trail that leads to the peak. The Blue Lookout Trail is actually a separate trail that drops from McKittrick to the Blue cabin ruins site in the drainage north of the peak that connects to KP #70. It appeared to be very overgrown and littered with post-fire deadfall.
The views from this peak are great. The tower is old and decommissioned. The windows are broken and the first flight of stairs have been removed. There's water in the old cistern on the summit, but there is no sign of the benchmark or reference marks that should be there.
Finally figured out that this hike actually involves hiking a mile on the McKittrick Trail before heading up the unnamed spur trail that leads to the peak. The Blue Lookout Trail is actually a separate trail that drops from McKittrick to the Blue cabin ruins site in the drainage north of the peak that connects to KP #70. It appeared to be very overgrown and littered with post-fire deadfall.
The views from this peak are great. The tower is old and decommissioned. The windows are broken and the first flight of stairs have been removed. There's water in the old cistern on the summit, but there is no sign of the benchmark or reference marks that should be there.
2016-05-29 chumley
Blue Peak 9355
This was the night cap for Cup, Blanco and myself. There is a nice little spot to camp at the TH and McKittrick and Blue were next on the list, so our day two destination became our day one destination. The register at the Blue lookout, also the highest point in the Blue Range, was full of scathing reviews of the summit and trail.
I am just not sure who hikes that trail and expects something else, furthermore, I am not sure how someone who had such a miserable time on the trail would continue the hike the entire length, just to write how horrible the view was, and how bad the trail was. Look it is what it is, the tower is located in a severely burned area. There is a huge dead tree blocking access to the trail from the TH, there is a giant yellow sign that says the trail is destroyed and to use at your own risk, so how did it come as a shock to these people when the trail was less than ideal? My favorite message, "trail full of dead trees, can't find benchmark, can't climb tower, utter disappointment."
Speaking of tower, it can be climbed ;)
I am just not sure who hikes that trail and expects something else, furthermore, I am not sure how someone who had such a miserable time on the trail would continue the hike the entire length, just to write how horrible the view was, and how bad the trail was. Look it is what it is, the tower is located in a severely burned area. There is a huge dead tree blocking access to the trail from the TH, there is a giant yellow sign that says the trail is destroyed and to use at your own risk, so how did it come as a shock to these people when the trail was less than ideal? My favorite message, "trail full of dead trees, can't find benchmark, can't climb tower, utter disappointment."
Speaking of tower, it can be climbed ;)
2015-05-23 friendofThundergod
