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Short and steep by slegal 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 really 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 half way up to all the way 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. 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 Review
Sugarloaf Mtn - Bullhead City
This was a wee challenge. The scree on this hill is just about at the "angle of repose" which means it is right on the brink of sliding down and taking you with it. Unlike the person who wrote the description, I found it harder to find good footing going up, rather than down. This seems odd. But going down I was able to take small steps. I pictured Bill Murray saying "Baby steps, take baby steps!"
One of the photos will show another way to get down some sections of this hill.
I was very pleased to see the original register, placed in 1993 by those intrepid hikers Gordon MacLeod and Barbara Lilley of the Desert Peaks Section of the Sierra Club, a SoCal group. I think those original registers are only still found on the peaks that get very little traffic.
So, if you go, take baby steps, just baby steps...
One of the photos will show another way to get down some sections of this hill.
I was very pleased to see the original register, placed in 1993 by those intrepid hikers Gordon MacLeod and Barbara Lilley of the Desert Peaks Section of the Sierra Club, a SoCal group. I think those original registers are only still found on the peaks that get very little traffic.
So, if you go, take baby steps, just baby steps...
2015-11-13 azbackpackr
