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South Perilla Mtns HP 5920 - 2 members in 2 triplogs have rated this an average 2.5 ( 1 to 5 best )
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Nov 25 2024
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 Guides 99
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male
 Joined Jan 07 2017
 Fountain Hills,
South Perilla Mtns HP 5920Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 25 2024
DixieFlyerTriplogs 1,376
Hiking6.45 Miles 1,690 AEG
Hiking6.45 Miles   6 Hrs   29 Mns   1.19 mph
1,690 ft AEG   1 Hour   3 Mns Break
 
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1st trip
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Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
This was a hike to two peaks:
1) South Perilla High Point (elevation of 5,939 feet and prominence of 1,286 feet)
2) Perilla Benchmark (elevation of 5,922 feet and prominence of 125 feet)

I read that the surveyors put the benchmark on the lower peak because nearby Pedregosa Mountain could not be seen from the higher peak.

This hike is in extreme SE Arizona, east of the town of Douglas and not far from the Mexican border.

I parked a short distance from Geronimo Trail rather than driving about 3/4 mile on a rough side road.

I followed the road; then took a wash; then climbed up some steep slopes to the south end of a ridge; and then I followed the ridge around to the base of the benchmark peak. From there it was a class 2 climb up to the benchmark peak. Continuing with some class 2 climbing I descended the benchmark peak and then climbed up to the highpoint. I reversed course on the way back, meaning that I reclimbed the benchmark peak.

I was glad that I reclimbed the benchmark peak because on the first ascent of it I located the benchmark and one reference mark, but did not find the other reference mark. On the reclimb, once I got to the top I looked down and I was almost standing on the other reference mark.

The scramble up to the two peaks was interesting and fun, but the tread on a majority of this hike was pretty bad and not much fun -- there was lots of ankle busting rock that really slowed me down. The rock was bad even by southern Arizona standards. Had it not been for all of the rock this would have been an enjoyable hike.
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Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there
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Feb 05 2024
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53 male
 Joined Dec 30 2005
 Tucson, AZ
South Perilla Mtns HP 5920Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 05 2024
Mike_WTriplogs 528
Hiking5.50 Miles 1,613 AEG
Hiking5.50 Miles   4 Hrs   30 Mns   1.22 mph
1,613 ft AEG
 
1st trip
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This peak and the Perilla Benchmark were fairly close together and officially only had a 1 foot difference in elevation (5920 vs 5919), so I summited both. Standing on the top, I could not tell which peak was higher, but it doesn't really matter.

Thanks to Matthias S. for his GPS track which I used as a guideline with some minor variations.

Overall, this hike was more of an open Country hike than a bushwhack. There were many cattle trails, but sometimes thorn trees and thorn bushes grew into these cattle trails. Sometimes canyons didn't have a clear path forward because of the thorn bushes. Once up on the ridgeline, there were hardly any thorn bushes.

Follow the road North. After about 500 feet the road will split. Take a left here going downhill. I followed the rocky road for a total of about 1/3 mile until it became a rocky trail. Follow the rocky trail along the side and eventually down into the canyon. Then, after traveling a total of about 0.4 miles you will see an old windmill that looked destroyed and a small dam to block water for the cattle. Follow the canyon up until you have traveled a total of 0.6 miles. If the canyon is too brushy/thorny, you should find some decent cattle trails on the left or right sides that will follow the canyon. After traveling a total of 0.8 miles, exit the canyon to the West and head toward the high point. The brush isn't too bad here. The main obstacle will be all of the rocks which seem to be everywhere. After traveling a total of about 1.5 miles you will reach a high point and the ground will be relatively flat for a while. Continue moving straight. There will be a hill in front of you that partially blocks the 2 summits that are behind it. But, since the summits are quite a bit higher, you should be able to see the tops of them from a distance. When I got further ahead I could see some cattle resting under some trees. You'll want to curve around the right side of the hill, staying relatively high up. Partway around the hill, you will be able to see the saddle South of 5919.

Once at this saddle, I saw a fairly simple way up by zip zagging a bit. At the top I found a registry and a few US survey markers. I continued to the high point which involved following the ridgeline for a while and then dropping down to the right side. Getting up to the high point was fairly similar to getting up to the benchmark, maybe even a bit easier. At the summit, I found a small medicine bottle that had another registry. After having my lunch, I decided to head back. On the way down, I decided to not summit the benchmark again, but to hike around the Northeast side of it. There were animal trails about halfway across, then I needed to zig zag a bit. Eventually I made it back to the saddle. From here I followed the same way down except I decided to drop down into the canyon earlier which ended up being not so great of an idea. The canyon has a lot of thorn bushes so I didn't stay there long. I ended up crossing the canyon and taking various cattle trails down to where I crossed the canyon earlier. Then, from here I took basically the same route back, staying in the canyon when it was clear and using cattle trails when needed.

During my hike, I saw a total of about 3 or 4 cows that ran away from me on 2 different occasions.

Stats:
-------
Distance (round trip) = 5.47 miles
AEG = 1,613 feet
Strava moving time = 3 hrs 28 mins
Strava elapsed time = 5 hrs 14 mins
_____________________
Michael Williams
IT Professional
Rocky Point Vacation Rentals
Ocean Front Condo in Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico
www.beachfrontmexico.us
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average hiking speed 1.2 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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