Mahan Mountain • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Partners

partners

	BiFrost	chumley
	John9L

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

I joined Chums, 9L and BiCackle in a hike to escape the heat and hit a couple of 8000'+ peaks. Alot of this territory I'd covered before, but Chums threw in a couple of new twists to keep it fresh.

Mahan Mountain was up first. At 8270' this is the site of an old lookout.

1914–1922 - Detection site, saw cabin and cistern built by 1922

1922–1935 - Operated with a 30 ft steel Aermotor tower

Post‑1935 - Considered secondary; replaced by Hutch Mountain

2000–present - Structures dismantled, only footings & cistern remain

On a normal day you get some nice views to the south. but today the North Rim fires had spewed their smoke to the south to obscured some of the views.

From here Chums led us up a ridge line to gain the peak for the 8532' Hutch Mountain. The last bit was steep and rocky and had me sucking air. We had the tower to ourselves along with the current tower fire watcher manning it.

1920s - First wooden lookout constructed

1935 - Proposals submitted to build new steel tower

1936 - CCC builds 30‑ft Aermotor tower with cab

2008 - Steel catwalk installed for better visibility

2000s–2020s - Remains listed on NHLR, still occasionally staffed; popular hiking/tower visit site

Now up, was a 10 mile walk to get to the next target Pine Mountain. I left the others 200' short of the peak, skirting it and later waited for them at the AZT TH.

A short walk walk through the picturesque Bargaman Park area, stopping at a cabin just off the trail that I'd never seen before and an off trail jaunt through a wash, we were back to our starting point.

Good hiking with the misfits again.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Coronis Fritillary Butterfly

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Hutch Mountain

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

	Boondock Tank	51-75% full	51-75% full

	Elk Tank	Dry	Dry

_____________________

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

1 archive

Jul 12 2025

chumley

Guides 94
Routes 840
Photos 22,055
Triplogs 1,993

52 male

Joined Sep 18 2002
Tempe, AZ

Mahan - Hutch - Pine, AZ

Hiking		Jul 12 2025
		chumley • Triplogs 1,993

Hiking	16.98 Miles	2,823 AEG

Hiking	16.98 Miles	8 Hrs 17 Mns	2.49 mph
	2,823 ft AEG	1 Hour 28 Mns Break

no routes

Linked

linked

[ checklist ] Bargaman Park Boondock Tank Hutch Mountain Fire Lookout Pine Mountain Schell Spring

Partners

partners

	BiFrost	John9L
	The_Eagle

With temps in the uncomfortable range and the higher elevations either a longer drive than preferred or closed due to fire danger, I thought that we could get a few miles in the 8000-foot range. I really enjoy the southeast ridge approach to Hutch, though the last hundred yards before the tower is a little bit dense. The northwest ridge has more deadfall and mess but also some old track to follow.

If fire should ever come to this area, there'd be no stopping it. Ample ladder fuels and dense canopy provide the ingredients for a disaster. For now, it's lush and green with plenty of shade.

As we headed downhill toward Pine, the character of the forest changes quickly with just a few hundred feet of elevation. It also ended up being the warmest part of our day. By about 2pm however, cloudiness had provided full relief, and a few stray sprinkles pretended to help.

I hadn't been up Pine before, we found some old two tracks on the south ridge that brought us to within a couple hundred feet of the summit. The forest adjacent to the summit ridge was quite enjoyable and we took a nice break here. Reports of the north slope and official track being very steep and overgrown with oak and locust encouraged us to test a new route down the ridge heading due north. This was a delightful descent through nicely spaced pondo and just a little bit of oak before reaching the AZT. I would recommend this ridge for anybody accessing the peak from this side.

We made quick time through Bargaman and instead of a road walk, explored up a parallel drainage toward Schell Spring. This was unexpectedly narrow but we were pleased to find a very rough old two track, which was perfectly suitable for foot travel.

My frozen water bottle helped keep my thermometer in the 50s, though for a brief sunny spell it notched 90. Mostly it was in the low 80s when the sun was out.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Beehive Cactus Creeping Barberry

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

	Bargaman Park Tank	1-25% full	1-25% full
	muddy

	Boondock Tank	51-75% full	51-75% full
	muddy

Schell Spring

Dry

_____________________

I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.

Jul 12 2025

BiFrost

Guides 4
Routes 491
Photos 10,890
Triplogs 1,257

55 male

Joined Nov 20 2012
Phoenix, AZ

Mahan - Hutch - Pine, AZ

Hiking		Jul 12 2025
		BiFrost • Triplogs 1,257

Hiking	16.98 Miles	2,823 AEG

Hiking	16.98 Miles	8 Hrs 17 Mns	2.49 mph
	2,823 ft AEG	1 Hour 28 Mns Break

no routes

Linked

linked

Partners

partners

	chumley	John9L
	The_Eagle

Chumley put his loop together for our hiking pleasure. A little bit of trail, AZT, off trail bushwhack and old two track mixed in but all at 8,000 feet so that was nice! First we summited Mahan and took a break...not much of a peak but it still counts.

Next up we off trailed it over to Hutch Mountain Lookout hiking a sporty ridgeline to the summit. There was a lookout in the tower and he was nice enough to invite us up and we chatted a bit. Another break at the base of Hutch tower and then it was on to Pine Mountain. We followed a two track for a bit and then off trailed until we linked up with the AZT.

Followed the AZT southbound to another two track that managed within a 1/2 mile of the summit and then off trail from there. Took in the summit views before dropping into the trees for another snack break. Then we continued down a north slope ridgeline until we linked back up with the AZT following it northbound into Bargaman Park.

After Bargaman Park we left the AZT and off trailed back to the vehicle. Nice to be at higher elevation with the broiler on high in the valley

_____________________

1 archive

Sep 19 2024

The_Eagle

Guides 41
Routes 1,626
Photos 14,983
Triplogs 2,760

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

Hutch - Mahan - Pine Mountains, AZ

Hiking		Sep 19 2024
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760

Hiking	20.14 Miles	2,783 AEG

Hiking	20.14 Miles	7 Hrs 50 Mns		2.86 mph
	2,783 ft AEG	47 Mns Break	12 LBS Pack

Linked

linked

Partners

partners

johnlp

trekkin_gecko

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

I threw out a couple of options to Kelly and John, and this was their pick.

We had some concerns on the drive up. Smoke from the West Fire was quite noticeable and very thick in places, even 40+ miles north of the fire, where we started our hike.

Temperatures were in the forties as we made our way to the Hutch Mountain Lookout. It’s an easy-ish 700-foot climb to what is normally a great view of the surrounding area. We climbed to the top of the unoccupied and locked lookout, but it was a bit smoky.

Next, we retreated the way we came and headed up to Mahan Mountain. This one gets a little steep at times, climbing up the decommissioned and, at times, washed-out two-track. Once again, it was smoky. Next was the off-trail descent to pick up FR135A. I was a little concerned because of the tight lines on the topo map, but it turned out to be a decent descent.

Now on the AZT #28, we made our way past the normally scenic Bargaman Park area to our final peak of the day, another Pine Mountain. This was mainly a steep off-trail scramble, but for me, it was the most scenic and my favorite peak of the day. We had lunch close to the top before starting our return jaunt.

We took the AZT around to Maxie Tank, where John and I split from Kelly. She wanted to complete the remaining portion of the AZT to the Gooseberry Springs trailhead. We recovered the vehicle and ultimately met Kelly at the Gooseberry trailhead.

It was a fun day with perfect temperatures, though we could have done without the smoke.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Bargaman Park

Wildflowers Observation Light

26-50% full

51-75% full

26-50% full

26-50% full

_____________________

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

1 archive

Sep 19 2024

trekkin_gecko

Guides 10
Routes 673
Photos 7,281
Triplogs 4,660

67 female

Joined Nov 17 2008
phoenix, az

Hutch - Mahan - Pine Mountains, AZ

Hiking		Sep 19 2024
		trekkin_gecko • Triplogs 4,660

Hiking	21.78 Miles	2,473 AEG

Hiking	21.78 Miles	8 Hrs 24 Mns	2.85 mph
	2,473 ft AEG	45 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Partners

partners

johnlp

The_Eagle

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

john and i invited ourselves up to pine to hike with bruce
we also expected him to find a hike for us

he gave us a few good options and we picked this one
lots of elk around pine, which is always fun to see
a lot of smoke from the west fire
drove up on the rim to start the hike with hutch lookout
steady incline on a forest road
views were limited by smoke, but still a nice high point
back to the car, then a steeper old road up to mahan
a short bit of eagle-style off trail down mahan, then a forest road link to the azt
east past bargaman park, then off trail to pine mountain
lunch just below the summit, then back to the azt
the majority of our elevation gain was done, and the rest of the hike was a nice cruise through pine and oak forest
took the azt several miles to maxie tank
bruce had suggested that i finish that part of the azt, so i continued to gooseberry while the boys went back to the car - thank you for that idea!
an extra mile and a half or so, but now i have a shorter hike to do on happy jack someday
not linking the passage until i finish it
still a lot of smoke in the area, even this far north
we stopped in pine for a few minutes, then hit the thai place for dinner
john and i wouldn't get through on 87 before the road was closed for an accident and resulting brush fire, allowing us to enjoy a lengthy detour through globe

a great hike with good company on all new trails - thanks, guys

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Ladder Stile

_____________________

hazhole

Sep 19 2024

johnlp

Guides 1
Routes 14
Photos 7,202
Triplogs 5,208

68 male

Joined Mar 16 2008
chandler,az

Hutch - Mahan - Pine Mountains, AZ

Hiking		Sep 19 2024
		johnlp • Triplogs 5,208

Hiking	19.74 Miles	2,583 AEG

Hiking	19.74 Miles	7 Hrs 50 Mns	2.82 mph
	2,583 ft AEG	50 Mns Break

no routes

Linked

linked

Partners

partners

The_Eagle

trekkin_gecko

The Eagle was kind enough to throw together a hike in the high country for us. We hit three peaks and some good miles on the Happy Jack segment of the AZT. Smokey from the west fire. Great day. Thanks, you two.

Wildflowers Observation Light

_____________________

“Good people drink good beer.” Hunter S Thompson

Jul 29 2023

The_Eagle

Guides 41
Routes 1,626
Photos 14,983
Triplogs 2,760

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

Hutch Mahan Loop Plus, AZ

Hiking		Jul 29 2023
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760

Hiking	14.70 Miles	2,340 AEG

Hiking	14.70 Miles	5 Hrs 59 Mns		2.73 mph
	2,340 ft AEG	36 Mns Break	12 LBS Pack

Linked

linked

Peak 8004 - Hutch Mountain Quad

Partners

none

no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Last-minute plans to hike up north with Chums. After a few PM's with different ideas, we decided on a Hutch-Mahan Loop that Chums put together.

We met at his campsite, and we started off the trail to Hutch Mountain around 8 am. With a 70% chance of thunder boomers, we kept an eye on the sky.

Going counterclockwise from camp, we made the off-trail climb up Hutch Mountain from the south. It was a relatively easy climb, with only a bit of slowdown approaching the unoccupied Fire Tower. Down a north-side ridge, we hit a few forest roads (FR's) and stopped by the Gooseberry Spring complex, which had fresh, clean water in a couple of locations.

After getting on the AZT (Arizona Trail), we stopped at Shuffs tank to check it out. There were literally hundreds of Northern Leopard frogs leaping into the water as we passed by. Next up was Mahan Mountain.

Another off-trail climb to this peak. Close to the top, we kicked up a cow elk and a flock of 6+ large bull elks still in velvet. The top of this peak has the remnants of an old fire tower and building foundation. Down the old fire tower road, we again kicked up what we believed to be the previous flock of elk crashing through the thick brush.

After lunch back at camp, we decided it was early enough to hit up another 8k peak in the area. Interestingly enough, if we were paying any kind of attention, we could have easily hit it up as part of our loop. Instead, we drove over for 1.6 miles, a 400' climb to the top of Peak 8004. The top was littered with deadfall, but the rest of the hike was quite pleasant.

The temperature was 71 degrees at the start, it got up to 85 until the rain, and then dropped to 69, remaining comfortable for the rest of the day. Some cloud-to-cloud boomers started at 11 am, with light rain where we had to open the umbrellas only a couple of times.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Northern Leopard Frog

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Telescope

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Gooseberry Springs Long Lake Maxie Tank Shuffs Tank

	Gooseberry Springs	Quart per minute	Quart per minute
	both catchments were full

Maxie Tank

51-75% full

Shuffs Tank

51-75% full

_____________________

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

2 archives

Jul 29 2023

chumley

Guides 94
Routes 840
Photos 22,055
Triplogs 1,993

52 male

Joined Sep 18 2002
Tempe, AZ

Hutch Mahan Loop, AZ

Hiking		Jul 29 2023
		chumley • Triplogs 1,993

Hiking	12.89 Miles	1,900 AEG

Hiking	12.89 Miles	4 Hrs 59 Mns	2.79 mph
	1,900 ft AEG	22 Mns Break

no routes

Linked

linked

Partners

partners

The_Eagle

I guess I can't link the whole AZT segment just because we walked it for a couple miles.

My goal was to start early to assure being done before storms kicked in. Bruce suggested starting at 9:30.

I negotiated it back to 8. Still 2 hours later than preferred, and 4 hours later than 0'geckolp-thirty. Oh well.

Plenty of roads out this way, many closed to vehicles, and many that still get vehicles despite the MVUM status. We put some effort in to wander through the woods, which as usual on the Colorado Plateau is a fairly pleasant offering. Near the summits of both Hutch and Mahan, some thicker oak growth with an occasional spritz of locust kept us on our toes.

The route off the north ridge of Hutch featured what seemed to be a real trail for a good stretch. Was it just an elk route? Does it get hunter use? Eventually it sort of petered out and we found an old two track that dropped into a really picturesque meadow area before cutting across to the Gooseberry area. This is a no-go on the MVUM, but I've never not seen folks camped here, so apparently enforcement is lax.

The AZT stretch was noneventful before we cut away finding an old two track leading up the south slope of Mahan. I'd been up here years ago, but forgot the details. Apparently there used to be a tower here. No sign of the benchmark or reference marks despite the map showing there should be one.

It rained a bit and thunder clapped a little close, so I wasn't keen on staying on the summit for long. Sure would have been nice to have been up here an hour or two earlier...

Spooked a half dozen large bull elk. Eagle eyes says they were in velvet. I just saw a few impressive racks. Whatever. We chased them down the hill back to camp and enjoyed a quick lunch.

Good to see Bruce. Thanks for allowing me the extra 3 hours of sleep!

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Hutch Mountain

_____________________

I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.

Sep 16 2020

CannondaleKid

Guides 44
Routes 162
Photos 24,766
Triplogs 2,411

75 male

Joined May 04 2004
Mesa, AZ

Hutch & Mahan Mountains Loop, AZ

Hiking		Sep 16 2020
		CannondaleKid • Triplogs 2,411

Hiking	6.40 Miles	1,397 AEG

Hiking	6.40 Miles	3 Hrs 32 Mns		1.92 mph
	1,397 ft AEG	12 Mns Break	18 LBS Pack

no routes

Linked

linked