Hike Boundary Cone Mount Nutt Wilderness BLM, AZ

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Boundary Cone is likely one of the most well-known buttes in the area, but still doesn't get much visitation. It's on the west end of the Ute Mountains, a minor range with very interesting peaks. I parked at the junction of a dirt road with the Oatman Highway at a small pull-out. I crossed the street and walked up an old dirt road past an open mine to the base of Boundary Cone's western cliffs. You can likely park farther north along the Oatman Highway and ascend directly to this critical spot, but using the dirt road made gaining some of the vertical elevation less effort.

Once at the base of the cliffs, I continued along their base, located a social trail, and followed it up through a Class 2 gully on loose rock. Above the gully I found myself on the west ridge of Boundary Cone, now above the initial set of cliffs. Cairns helped mark the path of least resistance along the west ridge ascent, but there was a section where route-finding was a little more tricky. A series of possible weaknesses comes into view, and after playing around on the options I decided a single Class 3 move around a chockstone was my best bet. Past this move, the route went at Class 2 to the summit, first wrapping around the north side of Boundary Cone. There are a few Class 3 weaknesses, but a Class 2 option exists if you just keep heading along the north side and wrap around almost all the way to the peak's east ridge. The views are very pretty, especially to the east toward Ute Mountain.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Boundary Cone

3430 ft

750 rise

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Starting up the old dirt road leading to the base of Boundary Cone.

The road gets really steep. Continue up to the base seen ahead.

This mine marked the spot where I decided to head around the northern base of Boundary Cone.

Around the northern base of Boundary Cone, heading up the gully on the top right. As an alternative to the last few photos, you could park down on the left somewhere and ascend the slope seen in this photo to get to the same spot, but it would likely be a little more work than just using the dirt road I came up.

Close-up of the social trail leading up the gully.

Looking back down the social trail along the base of Boundary Cone.

Class 2 slope along the west side of Boundary Cone.

Along the west ridge of Boundary Cone, approaching the crux.

Approaching the Class 3 move. There's a small chockstone visible on the left. That's the way I went - maybe another option would be viable as well?

Looking down toward the west ridge after the Class 3 move.

Continuing on Class 2 stuff just beneath the summit.

The route took me around the north side of Boundary Cone, just below the summit. There are a few Class 3 weaknesses, but a Class 2 option exists if you just keep heading along the north side and wrap around almost on the east side.

Summit of Boundary Cone, looking west.

Boundary Cone summit, looking northeast toward Peerless Mountain. Mount Nutt visible on the distant left.

Close-up of Ute Mountain to the east of Boundary Cone.

Shot of Boundary Cone (right) on my drive away from it. Ute Mountain visible next to it, left of center.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!