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Sheepshead Peak 6545 - 3 members in 15 triplogs have rated this an average 4.3 ( 1 to 5 best )
15 triplogs
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Dec 09 2024
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 Guides 104
 Routes 256
 Photos 16,118
 Triplogs 528

53 male
 Joined Dec 30 2005
 Tucson, AZ
Sheepshead Peak 6545Tucson, AZ
Sheepshead Peak 6545
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 09 2024
Mike_W • Triplogs 528
Hiking4.31 Miles 1,438 AEG
Hiking4.31 Miles   3 Hrs   20 Mns   1.29 mph
1,438 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I've been wanting to do this hike for quite some time. I originally planned on hiking on Sat. Brian wrote and said he could do Monday but not Sat, and that was good enough for me. I left my house in NW Tucson around 7 am and we arrived at the trailhead around 9 am, so door to door it was 2 hours. It was a bit cool in the morning. We started on the trail and found it to be very obvious where to go because the trail was blazed quite well through the dry grass that was 2-3 feet tall in some places. The incline was fairly flat for the first mile and quite fast moving. After that, the trail started heading uphill and getting progressively steeper and slower. We kept following the trail and noticed some occasional cairns. We probably got off the trail a couple of times which is fairly easy to do. That's why I would recommend bringing a GPS with a loaded route.

The hike in the canyon going up was quite steep and remind me a little bit of the hike to Pusch peak or the Flatiron in the Superstitions but shorter. There were some steep areas but we just took our time and hiked carefully. Near the top we saw a huge rock slab that had a left and right side. The left side appeared to be a few feet higher. After looking around, we didn't see any registry which I thought was odd since this was an Emblem peak. It was quite windy which made it colder but we were able to move to an enclosed area NE of the high point. Even though it was only 11 am, I decided to have part of my lunch there. We took about a 1 hour break total and continued searching for a registry but did not find one. We were baffled as to why one didn't exist on this hike.

We took a few photos and a quick video and started to head down the way we came up. At one point we got off the trail and ended up hiking down a steep canyon area, but eventually ran into what looked like a trail, but somehow it wasn't the main trail. We ended up hiking about 200 feet West off the main trail and then had to bushwhack a little to find the main trail again. This was the worst part of the hike and we weren't sure where we went wrong. Bottom line is check for cairns and bring a GPS/route because it seemed to be pretty easy to get off the main trail on the way down.

All in all the hike was very pleasant and memorable. I can understand why this is considered an Emblem peak!

Stats:
-------
Distance (round trip) = 4.31 miles
AEG = 1438 feet
Strava moving time = 1 hr 59 mins -- but seems like we were moving for much longer than that!
Strava elapsed time = 4 hrs 27 mins

Driving directions:
----------------------
From Tucson/Phx take I-10 East toward Benson, AZ.
Follow I-10 E to AZ-80 E/W 4th St in Benson. Take exit 303 from I-10 E.
Continue onto AZ-80 E/W 4th St and continue for 1.8 mi.
Keep right to continue on AZ-80 E and continue for 21.8 mi.
Turn left onto N Middlemarch Rd and continue for 10.0 mi.
Turn left onto FSR 687 and continue for 0.4 mi.
Turn right onto unmarked road and continue for 0.38 mi. until you see a Y-split.
Park in an open area off the road. It would be better to not occupy a camping area if you are not camping.
Walk the left branch of the road to a gate which is where the trail starts from.

High clearance vehicle is recommended, but a passenger car SHOULD be sufficient enough to make it. The road is graded pretty well 95% of the way.
_____________________
Michael Williams
IT Professional
Rocky Point Vacation Rentals
Ocean Front Condo in Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico
www.beachfrontmexico.us
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Nov 20 2021
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 Guides 2
 Routes 512
 Photos 5,579
 Triplogs 4,278

69 male
 Joined Mar 01 2009
 Aztec, NM
Sheepshead Peak 6545Tucson, AZ
Sheepshead Peak 6545
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 20 2021
Pivo • Triplogs 4,278
Hiking3.17 Miles 1,420 AEG
Hiking3.17 Miles   3 Hrs   23 Mns   1.13 mph
1,420 ft AEG      35 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
GrottoGirl
MyRudy
Bee wanted to go to The Tombstone Brewery to pickup their Strawberry Shortcake Sour. Sheepshead was in order. I dreaded going into Tombstone on a Saturday before a holiday, yet it wasn't even an issue.

We saw no other hikers only a few climbers today.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Cag Shot
_____________________
  1 archive
Feb 21 2018
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 Guides 100
 Routes 63
 Photos 2,548
 Triplogs 184

76 male
 Joined Nov 21 2015
 Grand Junction,
Sheepshead Peak 6545Tucson, AZ
Sheepshead Peak 6545
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 21 2018
Steph_and_Blake • Triplogs 184
Hiking3.00 Miles 1,594 AEG
Hiking3.00 Miles   2 Hrs   30 Mns   1.20 mph
1,594 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
See Description.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Dragoon Mountains
_____________________
Stephanie and Blake Barnard
 
Jan 24 2018
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 Guides 2
 Routes 512
 Photos 5,579
 Triplogs 4,278

69 male
 Joined Mar 01 2009
 Aztec, NM
Sheepshead Peak 6545Tucson, AZ
Sheepshead Peak 6545
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 24 2018
Pivo • Triplogs 4,278
Hiking3.35 Miles 1,429 AEG
Hiking3.35 Miles   2 Hrs   35 Mns   1.42 mph
1,429 ft AEG      13 Mns Break20 LBS Pack
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
Baja Arizona Hiking
MyRudy
Was very windy today, so we didn't stay on the peak for very long. Some of the best views in Southern Arizona. After Sheep's Head, we drove over to Council Rocks, then headed to Tombstone for lunch and beer. The Chuck Wagon is recommended for food. I mention this because in the past the food options in Tombstone were pretty pathetic.

Tombstone Brewing is highly recommended, and the do open at 11 AM, but close at 7 PM.
_____________________
  1 archive
Feb 24 2014
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 Guides 170
 Routes 148
 Photos 5,914
 Triplogs 2,097

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Sheepshead Peak 6545Tucson, AZ
Sheepshead Peak 6545
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 24 2014
PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097
Hiking3.80 Miles 1,637 AEG
Hiking3.80 Miles
1,637 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
After finishing up hiking Slavin Gulch, I still had some daylight left, so I headed for Sheepshead. I had never done this hike, but it looked appealing. Beautiful rolling grassland meets orange granite cliffs, sprinkled with oak woodlands: textbook Dragoon-ery goodness! The route was pretty easy to follow, and well trodden by climbers. Saw a few climbers going up Sheepshead’s west face as I scrambled past it in the thick oak trees. The last leg of the hike from the saddle to the top was especially enjoyable, scrambling up big slabs and boulders, and mesmerized by the amazing rocks all around. I hung around on top for a bit, enjoying the incredible mountains and valleys all around, bathed in golden, late afternoon sunlight. I made my way down as the sun was setting, thoroughly satisfied from having completed two outstanding hikes in one day. Back at the trailhead, I sat in the bed of my truck to cook dinner on my backpacking stove, while a herd of cows moved noisily around me in the dark. Good memories. Looking forward to another Sheepshead hike one of these days.
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
 
Apr 14 2013
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 Guides 2
 Routes 512
 Photos 5,579
 Triplogs 4,278

69 male
 Joined Mar 01 2009
 Aztec, NM
Sheepshead Peak 6545Tucson, AZ
Sheepshead Peak 6545
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 14 2013
Pivo • Triplogs 4,278
Hiking3.74 Miles 1,643 AEG
Hiking3.74 Miles   3 Hrs   16 Mns   1.14 mph
1,643 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
Floridasunshine
MyRudy
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Dog
_____________________
 
Apr 14 2013
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 Photos 3
 Triplogs 106

26 male
 Joined Apr 23 2012
 Tucson, AZ
Sheepshead Peak 6545Tucson, AZ
Sheepshead Peak 6545
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 14 2013
MyRudy • Triplogs 106
Hiking3.75 Miles 1,643 AEG
Hiking3.75 Miles   3 Hrs   16 Mns   1.15 mph
1,643 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
Floridasunshine
Pivo
_____________________
 
Mar 03 2013
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 Routes 22
 Photos 276
 Triplogs 94

62 male
 Joined Mar 18 2008
 Phoenix, AZ
Sheepshead Peak 6545Tucson, AZ
Sheepshead Peak 6545
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 03 2013
southpawaz • Triplogs 94
Hiking3.27 Miles 1,518 AEG
Hiking3.27 Miles
1,518 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
cindyl
After camping just up the way a bit, we had coffee and breakfast before tearing down camp and driving down to the trailhead. We chatted with a pair of climbers still at the coffee and breakfast stage before gearing up and heading out on the trail. We made good time across the flat, and two more pairs of climbers came by us as the trail started getting steeper. We followed the route up the steep section without too much trouble, and eventually made the saddle, where we took a short pause before heading up the final section. Snow and ice made a couple spots a bit tricky, but soon we were on top, enjoying refreshments and the views... until a wasp stung cindyl. That kind of spoiled the moment, and we packed up and headed down pretty quickly. The couple we had chatted with first thing were out on the rock as we made our way down, and we paused to watch them for a moment before finishing off the hike. I had noticed on the way in that we had passed very close by a section corner and we found it on the way out, just 50 feet or so off the trail.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  China Peak
_____________________
 
Mar 03 2013
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 Routes 17
 Photos 2,773
 Triplogs 249

53 female
 Joined May 15 2009
 Phoenix and Tucs
Sheepshead Peak 6545Tucson, AZ
Sheepshead Peak 6545
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 03 2013
cindyl • Triplogs 249
Hiking3.27 Miles 1,518 AEG
Hiking3.27 Miles
1,518 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
southpawaz
at least the wasp is dead.

yep, after i had sat down and started to drink my peak beer, a wasp came and stung me on the arm. ouch. :stretch: i had a bit of a localized allergic reaction - initially lots of pain and swelling, and then it was nearly impossible to sleep for three days afterwards due to the itching.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Cadastral Survey Marker  Cag Shot
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Huachuca Mountains
_____________________
There are just two switchbacks left. And another half-mile to the destination...
 
Mar 31 2012
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 Guides 1
 Routes 269
 Photos 613
 Triplogs 1,360

50 male
 Joined Dec 22 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Sheepshead Peak 6545Tucson, AZ
Sheepshead Peak 6545
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 31 2012
RedwallNHops • Triplogs 1,360
Hiking4.00 Miles 1,500 AEG
Hiking4.00 Miles
1,500 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Did this in the morning, then Slavin Gulch in the afternoon.
_____________________
 
Feb 04 2012
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 Guides 2
 Routes 512
 Photos 5,579
 Triplogs 4,278

69 male
 Joined Mar 01 2009
 Aztec, NM
Sheepshead Peak 6545Tucson, AZ
Sheepshead Peak 6545
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 04 2012
Pivo • Triplogs 4,278
Hiking3.80 Miles 1,767 AEG
Hiking3.80 Miles
1,767 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
Baja Arizona Hiking
SAMBA
Day trip to The Dragoon Mountains and Tombstone.
_____________________
  1 archive
Feb 04 2012
avatar

 Photos 3
 Triplogs 106

26 male
 Joined Apr 23 2012
 Tucson, AZ
Sheepshead Peak 6545Tucson, AZ
Sheepshead Peak 6545
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 04 2012
MyRudy • Triplogs 106
Hiking3.80 Miles 1,767 AEG
Hiking3.80 Miles
1,767 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
Baja Arizona Hiking
Pivo
SAMBA
_____________________
  2 archives
Mar 05 2011
avatar

 Routes 17
 Photos 2,773
 Triplogs 249

53 female
 Joined May 15 2009
 Phoenix and Tucs
Sheepshead Peak 6545Tucson, AZ
Sheepshead Peak 6545
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 05 2011
cindyl • Triplogs 249
Hiking4.20 Miles 1,300 AEG
Hiking4.20 Miles
1,300 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
Baja Arizona Hiking
kissime321
Pivo
RedwallNHops
We did the hiker's route up Sheepshead for my friend Donna's birthday. It was so beautiful! Then we camped. :)
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Camp-fire  Summit Register Log
_____________________
There are just two switchbacks left. And another half-mile to the destination...
 
Jan 16 2010
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 136
 Photos 22,415
 Triplogs 1,041

77 male
 Joined Feb 28 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Sheepshead Peak 6545Tucson, AZ
Sheepshead Peak 6545
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 16 2010
rwstorm • Triplogs 1,041
Hiking4.00 Miles 1,500 AEG
Hiking4.00 Miles
1,500 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
Baja Arizona Hiking
DesertratDeb
Wonderful hike in a simply beautiful area on the west side of the Dragoon Mountains. Most frequented by rock climbers, but there is an interesting hikers route to the top. Great views and lots of fun.
_____________________
  2 archives
Jan 12 2002
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 Guides 1
 Routes 136
 Photos 22,415
 Triplogs 1,041

77 male
 Joined Feb 28 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Sheepshead Peak 6545Tucson, AZ
Sheepshead Peak 6545
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 12 2002
rwstorm • Triplogs 1,041
Hiking4.00 Miles 1,500 AEG
Hiking4.00 Miles
1,500 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
SAHC - Group
My first time up Sheepshead. SAHC was having an awards ceremony and potluck shindig out there. Well attended and a blast. I wore a mickey mouse tie to demonstrate what I think of wearing ties. Good memories here.
_____________________
  2 archives
average hiking speed 1.22 mph

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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