Sugarloaf Mtn - Bullhead City, AZ

There is more than one Sugarloaf Mountain in Arizona. This one is just off Highway 68 between Bullhead City and Kingman. There are no trails to the top of Sugarloaf, but route finding isn't difficult and vegetation is sparse enough that it isn't a bushwhack either.


I discovered Sugarloaf while in Laughlin for an 80th birthday celebration for my father-in-law. I was looking for a fun hike that would be strenuous and challenging, but not too strenuous and challenging for my then 10-year-old son. I found the mountain by looking for a hike through Geocaching.com. There is a geocache at the top of the mountain called "Pirates at the Peak". In looking at the topo map, the hike looked perfect for everyone that would be going on this particular hike with me.To find Sugarloaf Mountain take Highway 68 to the turnout to the Old Kingman Highway. Upon leaving Highway 68 Sugarloaf will be on your left side. You will see a smaller dirt road to your left and another quick left turn to get to a good parking place or you can park just off Highway 68 and make a longer hike of it. From the trailhead we used you are looking straight up Sugarloaf and a 585 foot climb. It's very steep and slippery from about halfway up to the top.

Once you're at the top, you are rewarded with spectacular views of Lake Mohave and the surrounding mountains. Some of the mountains to the south of Sugarloaf appear to offer some pretty incredible adventures as well.

The return trip down Sugarloaf is the tough part in my opinion. Even with good hiking boots on, I still managed to slip and fall twice. Maybe I should have been wearing sneakers like everyone else.

2007-02-16 slegal