HikeArizona.COM

Hey there!

I am looking for some good challenging hikes. I have done Battleship, Capitol Butte, Flatiron, Picketpost, and other similar hikes. I will also attempt the Motherlode this year.

What other hikes are similar to these awesome scrambles? I absolutely loved Capitol Butte and would love more hikes like that.

Also always down to meet new people so if anyone wants to go on a challenging hike that I have been on I am more than happy to lead the way! Or if you care to show me some hikes that’d be amazing, too!

Thanks

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!!! Keep 'em coming!

I have hit all of the areas that have caught my eye and have been stuck trying to figure out some good new hikes that aren't too far from home for now. I will definitely be checking all of these out and if anyone wants to join for some awesome peak-bagging feel free to message me!

@arizonanova
Some people free climb it from both the east and west. Others use rope. The views are awesome. Another fun offtrail hike in the supes is geronimo head which has awesome views looking down on battleship.

@BobP
How is it getting down from the top of you free climb it? I’ll also check out Geronimo Head! I love that area of the Superstitions!

i set up a rope for others and I rapped down. People do free climb it up and down from both directions but there is a lot of exposure and a fall could be fatal. Ive only gone from the east side.

Buzzards Roost in the Superstition Mountains delivers a solid scramble with an amazing summit payoff. It's not for the faint of heart. Ha.. It sure humbled me.

[ photoset ]

Mazzie peak is tough because the climb up shake tree (y bar) is steady, but fairly constant. and the bushwhacking to reach the peak along the ridge is gnarly towards the top. we did a clockwise loop including a nice, rocky canyon with some avoidable dry-falls using the barnhardt trail as the return route. it is a good, strong contender for one of the toughest hikes i've done, in only 12 miles.

malapais does not seem (from looking at the stats) that it should be that tough. but it was. loose footing, tons of pokey flora and rock scrambling greet you as soon as you cross the bridge from geronimo head.

both two fantastically different personalities, both very fun and rewarding. both fairly rugged.

my option number 3 would be humphreys in the snow.

@arizonanova

arizonanova wrote:How is it getting down from the top of you free climb it?

It isn't bad as far as technically challenging, until you look down and realize that it is only you, clinging to rock, and air.

@arizonanova
[ Superstition Ridgeline ]
12 miles but need a shuttle.

@Al_HikesAZ
Unless you do it as a loop or out and back which makes it more challenging Either option makes a long day from my expierence.

Hayes Peak (estrella mtn summit HP): [ Estrella Peak 4512 ]

Mount Elliott: [ Mount Elliott 6980 ] this will kick your pumpkin.

Supe 5057 via west ridgeline scramble with pit at balancing rock, then loop back down Hyro: [ gps route ]

@arizonanova
I've been to the top of Weaver's Needle (nearly 30 years ago).

I don't know that you need a rope, but it's certainly a good idea to have a belay on the fifth class pitch on the way up. Also, it's far easier to rappel down the steep sections than down-climbing them.

As I recall, I used some fairly basic crack protection when leading that pitch.

Alright it sounds like I should wait on Weaver's Needle for my climbing friend who has a rope. I love climbing but I'm not the best free climber yet Maybe I'll just hike to the base for now and check it out!

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I will check all of these out and figure out when I can do them!

@arizonanova
If you haven't done it yet, there's a nice loop hike that goes around Weaver's Needle: Weaver's Needle Loop from Peralta TH

You could check out the approach to the steep/interesting parts of Weaver's Needle on your way around the loop.

FWIW, I found the scree on the lower sections of Weaver's Needle to be harder than the fifth class section of it.

@arizonanova
Another one to do with your climber friend is Pinnacle Peak. The South Crack is rated at 5.3.

Oh... and Tom's Thumb too. The west corner is only class 4. As I recall, you need two ropes for the rappel.

Well if we're talking climbs, might as well throw in the Praying Monk! First climb I ever led - no choice on the Monk (no walk up to drop a line from) - it is exhilarating! And it has a great free hanging rappel. When I learned to climb, I wanted to do the Monk, Pinnacle Peak (South Crack), Tom's Thumb, and Weaver's Needle ... got the first two done, but would still love to do the other two.

@KBKB
Thanks for the suggestions! I have done South Crack and I did Razor’s Edge in the Sups which was absolutely amazing haha

I’ll have to check out Tom’s Thumb. I have yet to visit there. I don’t climb much because I don’t have the gear and I need to find a solid partner to go with. But in the meantime I’ll keep training any way I can

@arizonanova
Arizona's own Cactus to Clouds starts at Catalina State Park in Tucson and goes to the top of Mt. Lemmon, via Romero Trail, Wilderness of Rocks Trail, Lemmon Lookout Trail. Or this one, the Sutherland-Romero Loop, more or less similar: [ Sutherland - Romero Loop ]