Merrill Peak 9288 • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Jul 08 2022

Mike_W

Guides 104
Routes 256
Photos 16,118
Triplogs 528

53 male

Joined Dec 30 2005
Tucson, AZ

Merrill Peak 9288

Tucson, AZ

Merrill Peak 9288

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jul 08 2022
		Mike_W • Triplogs 528

Hiking	2.30 Miles	603 AEG

Hiking	2.30 Miles	1 Hour 15 Mns	1.84 mph
	603 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

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I started at the Riggs lake parking area and walked to the campgrounds. I didn't see any labeled trailhead so I just started climbing from that point. On the way up, the bushwhack was steep and messy. I found a better way down and that's the route I'd recommend for both directions. On the way up and down I saw a turkey that ran away from me very quickly both times. It was so fast, I could not even get a photo! There are some nice views of the lake from the top of this peak. There were some burned areas on the peak. Nice views to the West also. The trees are very green around the lake.

_____________________

Michael Williams
IT Professional
Rocky Point Vacation Rentals
Ocean Front Condo in Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico
www.beachfrontmexico.us

Oct 10 2021

DixieFlyer

Guides 99
Routes 1,484
Photos 16,072
Triplogs 1,374

male

Joined Jan 07 2017
Fountain Hills,

West - Blue Jay - Merrill, AZ

Hiking		Oct 10 2021
		DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,374

Hiking	6.90 Miles	2,248 AEG

Hiking	6.90 Miles
	2,248 ft AEG

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West Peak - Pinalenos

Blue Jay Peak

Merrill Peak 9288

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West Peak and Blue Jay Peak
I parked at Turkey Spring, and walked up the forest road to West Peak. There were nice views at the Peak, and I enjoyed being at the summit.

I left West Peak the same way that I came up, and then took a road over to the south side of Blue Jay Peak, and then bushwhacked up to the summit. There were a lot of trees at the summit, so views were limited. I found the summit register, which does not get many entries.

After descending down from Blue Jay back to the road, I followed the road back to my car.

Here is an interesting anecdote wrt the West Peak Lookout:

June 26, 1964: "A few months away from civilization may seem like an ideal situation at times--until it becomes a reality.
"It doesn't bother me," claims Robert Lee, who spends two to three and a half months in a remote Graham Mountains spot each year scanning for possible forest fires.
But he has seen non-drinking fire-watchers plunge into a two-week drunk after a lonely month in the forests. Others just pack up and leave without word--or bothering to pick up their pay.
Lee is a little more fortunate than some of his co-workers. He heads a three-man post and there is usually someone to talk to.
This, however, doesn't do away with the loneliness of the job, according to Lee, who has seen about a dozen men walk off their posts during his six years at West Peak.
Helping Lee man the 50-foot high lookout tower this year are Burr McRae, a senior at Brigham Young University, and Leroy Long, a senior at the University of Arizona." (Tucson Daily Citizen)

Merrill Peak
After leaving Blue Jay Peak and driving to Safford, I decided to head up past Mount Graham and hike to Merrill Peak. I parked at a pullout near Riggs Lake, and went off-trail to the Merrill Peak summit. It was a somewhat steep climb with a bit of deadfall here and there, but it wasn't a bad ascent. I returned the way that I came up.

Synopsis
West-Blue Jay: This one involves a 50 mile drive on rough dirt roads for a 6 mile hike. When do we leave?

Merrill: This short but steep hike has some nice views on top, and is worth doing if you are in the area and don't mind off-trail hiking. Given the remote location, most won't want to make the long drive solely to hike Merrill Peak.

Distance and elevation gain for the two hikes are below. Stats above are the sum of the two.

West-Blue Jay: 5.8 miles with an AEG of 1,749 feet
Merrill: 1.1 miles with an AEG of 499 feet

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Fire Lookout Structures Summit Register Log

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Blue Jay Peak Merrill Peak Mount Graham International Observatory Riggs Flat Recreation Area Riggs Lake West Peak West Peak Fire Lookout

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Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there

Jun 27 2018

cactuscat

Routes 85
Photos 3,718
Triplogs 486

female

Joined Oct 15 2002
Rimrock, Arizona

Riggs Flat Campground

Tucson, AZ

Riggs Flat Campground

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jun 27 2018
		cactuscat • Triplogs 486

Hiking	4.95 Miles	900 AEG

Hiking	4.95 Miles
	900 ft AEG

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Merrill Peak 9288

CP Flat Loop

Lakeshore Trail #340

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Enjoyed my time at Riggs so much last week that I decided to do it again.
Less people occupying campsites on the way up this time.
Checked with camp host Jan about "problem" bear situation and she said it hadn't been back - G&F bear trap was gone, too.
Brought my tent this time so I could use site #31, and I enjoyed it as much as I thought I would. No one else in the walk-in area, and not too many people passing by/fishing nearby either. 35 steps from campsite to lakeshore. The flies were less than last week, and the mammals and birds were more numerous.
After setting up and relaxing a bit, and a couple of drinks, I decided to tackle Merrill Peak first. Last week I had made it halfway up from the West without even trying to, then I realized that it was too hot to be climbing uphill, over deadfall, in the direct sun in the middle of the afternoon.
This time I started up the shallow drainage at the end/beginning of the campground loop road. I only stayed in or along the drainage for maybe 10 minutes, then hung a right uphill more or less directly towards the Peak. Still a little steep, but much better from this side with some shade and without doing the deadfall hurdles. Saw some trees sporting their bark beetle repellent patches.
Reached the top and had a nice break - no sign of a summit log.
Since the lake was right below I decided to head pretty much straight down to it - route worked out great, but I probably wouldn't use it going uphill. It had taken me about 45 minutes to get up to the Peak, but with the quick way down I popped out on the loop road after only 15 minutes!
Then I got delayed another 20 or so talking with Jan. Nice lady, but if you start a conversation with her make sure you have a while. While chatting with her, Clay the "reptile guy" stopped by to report that he'd caught a couple trout (they haven't been stocked this summer, so no one is catching much). Second week in a row up at Riggs that I got a "hey, I know you" ... turns out I met Clay last May at Aravaipa Canyon and hiked with him from the 2WD trailhead to the Turkey Creek th.
Had a nice long read (finally finished my designated camp book of the past few trips, "Women of the Grand Canyon" highly recommend!) and then a great night's sleep. Definitely a few interesting sounds in the night, but nothing that kept me awake. The birds got busy at the first lightening of the sky and woke me up at 4:30! Got one more hour of sleep before I was up for good.
Nice to have real breakfast and hot coffee this time - last time my stove refused to work, which turned out to be due to a dud fuel canister.
Soon I was ready to head off on the CP Flat Loop - parked at the CP corral/campground and began looping.
Such a great little hike! Obviously stellar in the Fall, but hey Aspens are pretty in the Summer too! Love the tree tunnel parts and the meadows. Saw one deer in the last/biggest meadow. Took a nice break at the awesome campsite there.
Back at camp by 9am for second breakfast, and the birding got good. Saw Yellow-rumped "Audubons" Warbler, Red-faced Warblers (including the most adorable fledgling who just looked so happy and pleased with herself to be hopping around the trees and trying to catch her own bugs), Hairy Woodpecker, Red-shafted Flicker, Stellar Jays, Yellow-eyed Juncos, and of course Robins (cute fledgling/juvenile here too). Also saw deer a couple different times.
Final hike was the Lakeshore loop, with trashbag ... since I just did it a week ago, it wasn't so bad and the bag was only half full.
Final fun bird on the drive down - an unexpected Turkey crossed the road in front of me (then crossed right back again after I passed) near the Jesus Goudy camping area.
Last few miles of the downhill were spent following someone who apparently doesn't know about downshifting and using your gears properly, so I was treated to the smell of burning brakes.
Another fine 24 on the Mountain!

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Western Wallflower - Orange Yellow Columbine

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Hairy Woodpecker Northern Flicker

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4 archives

Aug 08 2016

SkyIslander18

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,605

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Jesus Babcock Trail #321

Tucson, AZ

Jesus Babcock Trail #321

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Aug 08 2016
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,605

Hiking	3.50 Miles	1,050 AEG

Hiking	3.50 Miles
	1,050 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

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Merrill Peak 9288

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AddSanz

Early morning out-n-back hike with our entire camping party on the Jesus-Babcock Trail.
Fun & scenic little trail with awesome overlook views at the end, last .5 mile gets a little sketchy to follow, but not that tough to pick up.

Later in the day I broke away from the group at Riggs Lake for a solo bag of Merrill Peak.
Only .5 up a moderate steep slope, but man I was sucking wind on top from the elevation & heat! :sweat:

Fungi everywhere in the shaded forest on the way up and raspberries everywhere in the open area just before the peak.
Awesome overlook views to the South on top, could not find the register either as others have stated recently.

Returned back down to Riggs with the mind re-energized, sitting on a peak alone for awhile has that effect on me!

Wildflowers Observation Moderate
Moderate flower show up & on top of Merrill Peak.
Moderate amount of mountain raspberries on the NW slope of Merrill Peak.
Substantial fungi along the NW slope within the forest.

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https://www.instagram.com/skyislander22/

2 archives

Jul 17 2016

AZHiker456

Guides 28
Routes 199
Photos 7,422
Triplogs 188

female

Joined Nov 07 2015

Merrill Peak 9288

Tucson, AZ

Merrill Peak 9288

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jul 17 2016
		AZHiker456 • Triplogs 188

Hiking	2.10 Miles	545 AEG

Hiking	2.10 Miles	1 Hour 12 Mns	2.10 mph
	545 ft AEG	12 Mns Break

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Jesus Goudy Ridge Trail #298

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Day 3 (Hike 1) – At the end of Day 2 as I soaked my sore muscles in Riggs Lake, I looked up at the nearby Merrill Peak and it was really tempting… as was the idea of knocking off a ton of short summit hikes on Day 3 as I made my way back down the Swift Trail / Rt. 366. That would be one fine day [and a fine way of breaking up that long drive]…

I car-camped at the Jesus-Goudy camp area about a mile down the road from the turn off for Riggs Lake and less than 1/2 mile from the point on the topo where I thought, ‘this would make a perfect approach for Merrill Peak…’ Had I woken to hot temps, the voice of reason may have discouraged my big plans, but with morning temps that hung steady at 59 degrees, there was no way I was turning down the golden opportunity that presented. At close to 9,000’, the window of opportunity in this neck of the woods isn’t exactly very wide when trying to plan around ‘snow season’, ‘monsoon season’, and ‘snake season’ [and my work schedule]; so when perfect weather conditions presented that morning, I seized the opportunity and went on a peak-bagging frenzy as I made my way down the Swift Trail / Rt. 366.

Having deleted all of the bushwhacks, [and not having enough reception to import my ‘master file’ for routes I’d drawn up in the Pinalenos], I had to ‘wing-it’ for a few of the peaks… and there were even a couple instances of ‘really winging it’ thanks to the Route Scout topo not loading, which happens on occasion. However, given the short nature of the bushwhacks, the very generous terrain, and the many waypoints that are automatically displayed when using Route Scout topo, I never experienced any difficulties with route finding, even during the times I had to just aim for the waypoints when the topo failed to load... which I can’t help but admit added an element of FUN!

Merrill Peak proved to be the perfect opener to the day. While the slope of the peak that faces Riggs lake looks like it might get pretty brushy, you could not have asked for better bushwhacking conditions from the way I approached [where the Jesus Goudy Ridge Trail terminates at Rt. 366]. It was pretty much soft, pine-covered terrain with 0 brush to contend with, [aside from one very short section of blasting through some ferns]; and there was nothing overly steep/tiring in terms of the grade. There were a few downed trees but it was easy to skirt them or go over them.

Although the views from Merrill Peak did not make my Fab Five, they were still quite nice and I enjoyed this summit a lot more than the more popular Clark Peak. I spent a good several minutes searching for a summit register, but like the previous HAZ report, I was unable to find one.

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God save the Prom Queen, cuz [reality check!] AEG's King...!

Aug 01 2013

outdoor_lover

Guides 7
Routes 72
Photos 14,456
Triplogs 627

62 female

Joined Aug 19 2011
Scottsdale, AZ

Merrill Peak 9288

Tucson, AZ

Merrill Peak 9288

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Aug 01 2013
		outdoor_lover • Triplogs 627

Hiking	3.00 Miles	700 AEG

Hiking	3.00 Miles
	700 ft AEG		15 LBS Pack

no routes

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Lakeshore Trail #340

Goudy Camp Loop

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Day 4 of my Pinaleno Trip...

After watching the Clouds spill down the edge of the Mountain Range at Clark Peak TH, I drove to Riggs Lake...Arrived at the point where you should have a nice View of the Lake, but it wasn't there... :sweat:

Completely socked in...Was difficult to see the Water unless you were at the very edge...

Drove around to the Main Parking Area and decided to just walk partway around the Lake, taking in the unusual views and doing some Birding...Before I could hardly even get started, the Cloud started to lift and within 1/2 Hour, it was gone...And with it, the threat of Rain...

So after wandering along the Lake a bit and looping back, I decided to go ahead and hit Merrill Peak...Followed the Drainage up and slightly past the direct Route and then turned and gradually started the Climb, arriving at the Top after a few Sucking Wind stops... :sweat:

Couldn't find the Register that was supposedly up there, but stayed for awhile, enjoying the Views and being thoroughly entertained by the scores of Lizards that were also up there....After a Break, I went over to a secondary Ridgeline and enjoyed the more Eastern View from there...Then I headed down, but not going the way I came...I just went straight down in the direction of the Lake...

A little steeper and a lot more Downfall from a past Fire, but it worked and before long I was at the Escape again...

Drove back to Camp and decided I had time to do a little more so I walked the now "open" Road that begins the Goudy Camp Loop Description...I had actually done the Eastern part of this Hike on a previous Visit, but had been unable to do this part, as the area had been closed for Fire Damage and Burned Area Hazard. Stayed on Track with the Road almost to the Canyon, but then the Road disappeared into a thick stand of Ferns and other vegetation, which was expected...Since it was starting to get late, I just started South, wading through the Thigh high Ferns and before I knew it, I was at the Swift Trail...Followed it back to my Campsite and called it a day, at least as far as Hiking was concerned...

Even with the Gloomy start, I managed to get a few, short, little Hikes in, with some nice Rewards...Another good Day in the Pinalenos!

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Baneberry Western Yarrow

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Pygmy Nuthatch Yarrow's Spiny Lizard Yellow-eyed Junco

Wildflowers Observation Moderate
Coneflowers were good at Riggs Lake, with a few other varieties scattered...Very little on the Merrill Peak Hike, and Light on the Goudy Camp Loop...

Riggs Lake

51-75% full

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Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty & well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out & proclaiming, "Wow What a Ride!"

Jun 17 2007

PrestonSands

Guides 170
Routes 148
Photos 5,914
Triplogs 2,097

48 male

Joined Apr 12 2004
Tucson, AZ

Merrill Peak 9288

Tucson, AZ

Merrill Peak 9288

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jun 17 2007
		PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097

Hiking	1.25 Miles	500 AEG

Hiking	1.25 Miles	1 Hour 20 Mns	0.94 mph
	500 ft AEG

no routes

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This was an afternoon hike with my brother Ryan, while camping at Riggs Lake. It was slow going on the west side of the peak, as we climbed over endless fallen trees. We got to the top, where I was surprised to find a register in a plastic container. We looked around for a trail heading down the peak, but didn't see anything. We headed back down on a different route, and found the little drainage, which took us straight back to the campground. I ran into the campground host on the way back, and talked with him for awhile. He was a wealth of information and had a lot of stories about the area. An easy, yet enjoyable peak-bagging it was!

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Douglas-Fir Red Raspberry

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"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan

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.

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