Coffee Flat Mountain

[mr_squishy]

I would like to hike to the summit of CFM - I haven't found this hike listed in the trails listings. I scouted a route yesterday accessing the ridge from Whisky Springs trail. This route looks long with lots of up and down and the first part of it that I actually hiked was slow going - bouldery and brushy.
The map suggests a possible alternate route from Coffee Flat trail heading up a northerly drainage, but I have not eyeballed this route.
Looking for suggestions, descriptions, etc.
Thanks!

[joebartels]

check out this route http://hikearizona.com/gps=18757
while viewing it look at the left pane and you will see "view photoset" & "vew triplog"

The NNW canyon is very cool, walking the ridge down was a get'er done deal. It's a great hearty dayhike!

BTW... the superstitions are heavily documented
- you can zoom into an area
- right click
- select "all routes" or "official routes"

this bean counter is an excellent resource on Picacho / Coffee Flat

[mr_squishy]

Thanks, Joe - I didn't think to search Picacho Butte. I downloaded the gps route.
One of my thoughts had been to continue down Whiskey Springs and head up a drainage which would put me closer to the peak, bypassing Picacho, but I like this longer route.
Mike S

[joebartels]

The map is difficult for browsers to print. Best from your program or print a screen shot.

[mr_squishy]

I went ahead and imported and got a great map. I may give her a go this weekend, weather permitting. I had a notion to bivy overnight on the summit - any thoughts on that?

[joebartels]

Pretty rugged. Doable, undesirable for most.

[FOTG]

I went ahead and imported and got a great map. I may give her a go this weekend, weather permitting. I had a notion to bivy overnight on the summit - any thoughts on that?

If weather reports hold true, you might be looking at some intense weather up there man, pretty exposed area...I might seek some cover near Whiskey Spring if I were you, just a quick trip down MT really..I will be in area myself, so definitely not trying to discourage you, remember though some of those washes get raging in a hurry..can make each crossing an adventure...

[mr_squishy]

Thanks, friendofThundergod... the forecast makes it doubtful that I would try to bivy this weekend....As I am a snowbird who lives in Alaska, I very much err on the side of caution when traveling in the backcountry down here. I know there is a lot I don't know in this environment.

[FOTG]

@Mr Squishy
I mean just so you know though, it would take probably two really good days of rain, for there to be much of a threat as far as intense flooding goes, ground not overly saturated, so washes will be flowing I imagine, but would take some real intense isolated storms to make stuff real "dangerous"

[mr_squishy]

Good to know....always adding to my "database"

[mr_squishy]

And we now have 2 days of rain.....

[Tough_Boots]

after all this rain, I wouldn't take that drainage up Picacho. There's definitely some climbs in there I wouldn't do wet. In the fairly dry conditions we did it in, I seem to remember Joe getting talked down from a spot Unless you're wanting things to be more difficult, I think taking that ridge to Coffee Flat Mtn is a no-brainer.

[joebartels]

thought that was ice...

The valley is (was) in the middle of a cold snap touted to be the coldest front to hit since 1983.

Class 3 scrambling, no class 4. Definitely not for the timid, my bad.
I'd take the ravine again. Yet it's not for some and the ridge is safest.

[mr_squishy]

I did the hike last Friday - it was quite an endurance test. I was very thankful for the gps track both for routefinding in the canyon as well as being caught out in the dark about a mile before rejoining the Whiskey Springs trail. Thanks to everyone for your input. This is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime hike as I have no desire to repeat the bushwhack up the canyon below Picacho Butte. My photos are here:
http://hikearizona.com/photoset=28645

[mr_squishy]

Anyone ever approached Coffee Flat Mountain from the south - i.e., hike in from the Peralta TH and either cut cross country or take the CF trail to the windmill and then head for the mountain.

[johnlp]

I went up the southern part of the mountain via Reeds Water on 2/18/12. Been on my list to do the whole mountain. It's huge!