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Ludden Mountain - 6 members in 10 triplogs have rated this an average 3.2 ( 1 to 5 best )
10 triplogs
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Feb 04 2025
avatar

 Guides 117
 Routes 338
 Photos 11,399
 Triplogs 894

63 male
 Joined Dec 20 2010
 Sunnyslope, PHX
Ludden MountainPhoenix, AZ
Ludden Mountain
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 04 2025
kingsnake • Triplogs 894
Hiking3.67 Miles 658 AEG
Hiking3.67 Miles   1 Hour   46 Mns   2.08 mph
658 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Ludden Mountain has no trailhead, or even street parking. The best option is the Walmart / Walgreen’s shopping center on the northwest corner of Deer Valley Rd. and 67th Ave. I parked near the Walgreen's, so I could pick up a cold Arizona gingseng tea afterwards. I wore my Camelback, and carried hiking poles.

I walked 1.2 miles north on 67th Ave. After crossing the wash, I started following @MountainMatt 's route.

I steadily gained elevation while side-sloping, 340 ft. in 0.3 mi. (21%). It's grassy, with spot rocks and palo verde.

The boulder field got steeper, 270 ft. in 0.13 mi. (39%). The boulders were mostly well set. Mind the gaps & cracks though: Don’t want to snap an ankle! The granite peeled a layer off my finger tips. If you're unsure of the route, follow the graffiti tags. It's like climbing North Mountain, if you did it off trail.

From the wash, I made the false summit in 44 minutes, including breathers. There is a tricky little traverse I would have had to make to get over to the second false summit. A slip would have been less than ideal. I thought it a bit much for my fat old :pk: . Thin, young, agile folks will probably be okay. Also, the heat was rising quicker than I expected. (It was already 81℉.) So, I decided to bail. I’ll climb the true summit next year, probably using Mountain Matt's down route.

Rumble Video: https://rumble.com/v6iqua1-hiking-ludde ... oenix.html
Vimeo Video: https://vimeo.com/1054943878
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Graffiti
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Calderwood Butte  Deem Hills  East Wing Mountain  Hedgpeth Hills  Keefer Hill  Ludden Mountain  Mount Ochoa  Pilcher Hill  Pyramid Peak  Sunrise Mountain - Peoria  West Wing Mountain
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Some creosote and brittlebush.
_____________________
http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored.
  1 archive
Apr 27 2016
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 Guides 3
 Routes 202
 Photos 3,513
 Triplogs 530

male
 Joined Jan 24 2016
 Arizona
Ludden MountainPhoenix, AZ
Ludden Mountain
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 27 2016
MountainMatt • Triplogs 530
Hiking3.04 Miles 1,045 AEG
Hiking3.04 Miles   2 Hrs   13 Mns   2.07 mph
1,045 ft AEG      45 Mns Break18 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
With the miraculous occurnce of finally getting off work early for once I had to take advantage of that and do a little west side peak bagging!
Drove by this little mountain on route to pick up a friend one day and of course was attracted to climb that beauty!

The route I took was perfect, solid traction, no loose scree and just the right amount of incline. Once atop of the little peak I gazed down at the Teddy Bear Cholla fields in path to Ludden's Summit and was determined to make it untouched and almost did besides stepping on the mass amounts of litlle cholla nuggets that fall of the cacti and are scattered across the ground. After that it was just a hop skip and a jump up to the summit.

Once atop I really was impressed, from below you wouldn't think this mountain has such a nice flat summit and various spots that are honestly ideal for a nice comfortable campsite. Killer views of the NW valley and BEYOND!
I was actually impressed how far you could see from up here in every direction and underestimated the beauty of Ludden, really is such a nice mountain for being surrounded by civilization.

Made a very easy descent down the southwestern wash and just kind of followed a path of least resistance and also far enough away from the very nice homes (mansions) that reside along the mountains base back to the street. Probably looked a little strange walking down the street with my hiking boots, pants and backpack the short distance to where I parked my SUV in the dirt pullout but oh well, I'm sure it gave people something to look at on thier routine nightly commute.

Nice little peak and I'm always grateful anytime I have the opportunity to explore a new place! :D

dry Weir Wash Dry Dry
_____________________
  1 archive
Feb 05 2016
avatar

 Routes 173
 Photos 1,613
 Triplogs 285

50 male
 Joined Nov 11 2014
 Manchester, NH
Ludden MountainPhoenix, AZ
Ludden Mountain
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 05 2016
JasonCleghorn • Triplogs 285
Hiking0.99 Miles 531 AEG
Hiking0.99 Miles      44 Mns   1.65 mph
531 ft AEG      8 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Made the north (not main) summit. The wind was so bad that rocks were oscillating as I was climbing by them... I felt I did OK for my first completely off trail, no cairns anywhere, no sign of a trail hike/climb. If you are moderately afraid of heights, this will not be for you.

Still a good off trail, no cairn experience for me, solo. I need a peakbagging partner in the worst way... :)
_____________________
Follow me on Instagram: hikingjason
"It's not the mountains that we conquer, but ourselves"
 
Dec 21 2015
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 136
 Photos 1,367
 Triplogs 364

47 male
 Joined Jun 10 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Ludden MountainPhoenix, AZ
Ludden Mountain
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 21 2015
The_Dude • Triplogs 364
Hiking3.24 Miles 1,446 AEG
Hiking3.24 Miles   2 Hrs   3 Mns   1.94 mph
1,446 ft AEG      23 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
East Wing Mountain
Partners none no partners
After work hike for the Monday peak trifecta. Started up Ludden a bit before 4, I parked across the street in the neighborhood and picked my way up. Pants are a must for this one, no trail and some spots of considerable brush, though thankfully most of it is Brittlebush. Loaded up the official track on Route Scout, awesome tool to help! Made my way up to the first rock bluff, it got pretty steep right up at the top. This area has been pretty heavily tagged by some dummy with a can of spray paint, pretty disappointing. Heading down the south side of this was the sketchiest part of the day, I did not like the drainage I made my way down. Hit the cholla field approaching the saddle, and made my way over up the peak. I got cliffed out near the peak, but after circling to the east a bit I found a good boulder field to scramble up. Did not find the summit log up top, but I was not looking too hard either. I decided to drop down the boulder field and make my way back on the eastern end of the mountain. This side was all Brittlebush and no cholla, so that helped the choice. Much less steep this way too. Got back to my truck right before sunset and headed up the road to East Wing. Got in a quick loop in the post-sunset color and by the moonlight, no need for a headlamp. This was a welcomed well-groomed trail after a few off-trail excursions for the earlier part of the day. I did see one other hiker on the loop, only contact of the day on the trail.
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Feb 20 2015
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 Guides 4
 Routes 51
 Photos 1,545
 Triplogs 348

86 male
 Joined Sep 24 2004
 Phoenix, AZ
Ludden MountainPhoenix, AZ
Ludden Mountain
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 20 2015
black_toes • Triplogs 348
Hiking0.83 Miles 369 AEG
Hiking0.83 Miles      47 Mns   1.06 mph
369 ft AEG      49 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
My "assault" on the summits of the highest peaks of the NW Valley came to a screeching halt. This, along with Antelope Peak by Yarnell, was the roughest short hike I've done in years. All of it bushwhacking. With time running short in late afternoon, I turned back about 200' below the N peak. I'd gotten to a point below the northern ridgeline where I was making no progress fast, slipping and stumbling on the very loose rock and soil, lucky to avoid injury.

I had parked on Cavedale in a residential area, crossed busy Pyramid Peak Pkwy and sized up what I believe is the second highest peak in this area at 2,197'. Saw what I had read, that there were no established trails. A thick mat of brittlebush covers the lower part. It is mixed with rock, small boulders and ravines. It didn't look pretty.

I decided to shoot for the ridgeline on the N, follow it up to the N peak then S to Ludden. This was just N of BobP's official route, which appears to be a direct path up to the northern peak. Moving below and parallel to the ridgeline, I eyed a "gate" of two rock pillars ahead but never reached it. The footing was too poor and I was running into more of that nasty teddy bear cholla. So, at 1,765' by my GPS, I started down. Very steep in here and slow going at first until I reached the brittlebush field again. Passed an old three-strand barbwire fence. Some of it still stood but the upper section was on the ground. Me troding on somebody's old ranchland. Glad to get back to the car with only a minor wound from a stabbing teddy bear. This rugged mountain will have to wait for another day. I'll have to give Ludden more respect next time. Start earlier, try a different route.
_____________________
  2 archives
Jan 02 2015
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 Guides 2
 Routes 251
 Photos 4,593
 Triplogs 3,212

63 male
 Joined Feb 26 2008
 Scottsdale, AZ
Ludden MountainPhoenix, AZ
Ludden Mountain
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 02 2015
BobP • Triplogs 3,212
Hiking2.39 Miles 1,281 AEG
Hiking2.39 Miles
1,281 ft AEG      16 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I usually don't start hikes by parking in someone's front yard but today was an exception. West Siiiide.

Tiptoed thru the cholla fields and came out unblemished. Shorts worked out fine today.

I'm already more than 150 ft of aeg less from last years pace :tt:

Cool hike today...and great company :y:
_____________________
https://www.seeitourway.org
Always pronounce Egeszsegedre properly......
If you like this triplog you must be a friend of BrunoP
 
Jul 06 2014
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 Guides 2
 Photos 1,691
 Triplogs 212

45 male
 Joined Aug 05 2004
 Peoria, AZ
Ludden MountainPhoenix, AZ
Ludden Mountain
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 06 2014
desert_boonie • Triplogs 212
Hiking1.00 Miles 760 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles   1 Hour      1.33 mph
760 ft AEG      15 Mns Break
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Had to get in a hike at some point this weekend, why not the last day before the sun went down. This was my choice, nice grey overcast sky, wind was gusting, it was a cool 94 degrees out. I also had to confirm the summit register was still up there since someone cannot find it. Yep it is still up there right where I found it before, don't worry Barrett, nobody else seems to know where it is either because the last people to sign it were people I took up there 2 years ago. But I left a message for you in it, next time I go up there I expect to see your name in it confirming you did it. ;) Luckily I had nobody come up to me with any confrontation. I still love this little guy and area.
_____________________
"Never Satisfied"
 
Jul 04 2014
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 Guides 14
 Routes 9
 Photos 1,378
 Triplogs 287

61 male
 Joined Dec 20 2002
 Phoenix, AZ
Ludden MountainPhoenix, AZ
Ludden Mountain
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 04 2014
Barrett • Triplogs 287
Hiking1.90 Miles 1,286 AEG
Hiking1.90 Miles   3 Hrs      0.95 mph
1,286 ft AEG   1 Hour    Break
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Had to return after Desert-boonie's comments. Searched at least 6 likely high points for the mystery "summit" register and found nothing. :tt:
The third highest point had a downed flag (they had used a pool cleaning pole and it was folded like a plastic straw - big surprise).
With the flag folded neatly in my pack, a bag of trash hauled out, and the pole I headed down, only to be confronted by two males and a female in their 50's driving a black SUV.
Their opinion was that I was in the wrong for bringing the flag down and demanded that I give it to them, as it was "their friends".
I pointed out that
1) It is illegal to construct any type of display on public property, and the downed flag and pole constitutes trash that should be removed.
2) Proper respect for the flag dictates that it should only be flown during fair weather, and illuminated if flown at night, neither which is possible given the location. Proper respect also dictates it should not be left laying in the mud.
Apparently immune to both reason and the law, the "leader" appeared ready to result to force. My knife was in full view, and I tried to maintain a balance between a polite, non-escalating tone while still holding my ground and viewpoint.
One of them photographed my license plate and I decided that though I might be comfortable with combat, I could not be sure they were not armed and this was really not worth fighting over. I gave them the flag and left. I have no doubt I did the right thing, every step of the way, and yet it still feels kind of crappy.
Happy 4th everyone.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Velvet Mite
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Old Glory
_____________________
The past, the present, and the future walked into a bar.
It was tense.
 
Nov 20 2012
avatar

 Guides 25
 Routes 36
 Photos 2,890
 Triplogs 658

39 male
 Joined May 30 2008
 Peoria, AZ
Ludden MountainPhoenix, AZ
Ludden Mountain
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 20 2012
hippiepunkpirate • Triplogs 658
Hiking1.50 Miles 400 AEG
Hiking1.50 Miles
400 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
My blog: Mountain Tripper
My book: Arizona: A Photographic Journey
 
Nov 10 2012
avatar

 Guides 25
 Routes 36
 Photos 2,890
 Triplogs 658

39 male
 Joined May 30 2008
 Peoria, AZ
Ludden MountainPhoenix, AZ
Ludden Mountain
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 10 2012
hippiepunkpirate • Triplogs 658
Hiking1.90 Miles 760 AEG
Hiking1.90 Miles   2 Hrs      0.95 mph
760 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Hiked from my in-laws new house in the nearby neighborhood with my 7 year old nephew. He did great considering the 100% off-trail nature of the hike. Upper slopes are super loose. Took 40 minutes to ascend, but over an hour to descend. Descent took longer due to the loose soil up top, and then the darkness setting in down low. There's an old flag pole at the summit, but no flag. The peak to the north (unnamed, no elevation mark on the TOPO) has a flag visible, would like to go up there too. Pretty cool adventure close to home, good change from the trails of the other nearby areas.
_____________________
My blog: Mountain Tripper
My book: Arizona: A Photographic Journey
 
average hiking speed 1.5 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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