Capitol Butte in Coconino National Forest, AZ

Hike Capitol Butte Coconino National Forest, AZ

Class 3 3.6 miles 1800 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back May 3, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Capitol Butte GPX Track

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Yoshi and I started from a pullout on Boynton Pass Road and headed along the Lizard Head Trail for a short time before continuing east on a social trail along Capitol Butte's west ridge. A well-defined social trail led us the entire way, with only a few spots where some thought was required. Starting up, the social trail hugs the northern cliffs of Captiol Butte's western-stretch false summit. We encountered a Class 3 move along the way, but it's mostly just a trail. After emerging along the false summit ridge, we had a clear view of Capitol Butte ahead. We descended to the saddle separating the false summit from the true summit, and then th social trail started getting more steep and rocky from here. There were a few Class 3 sections as we weaved our way up the south side of Capitol Butte, but none of these moves are particularly tricky. A couple of spots are a little loose and may cause some people to use more caution. Eventually the scrambling gave way to easy walking along the social trail that's carved a way through the brushy summit. The views are nice, and they gave us a lot of perspective for other objectives in the area.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Capitol Butte
6355 ft
1435 rise

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Capitol Butte center, false summit on the right. We took the Lizard Head Trail for a bit before getting up to the ridge on the right.
Capitol Butte center, false summit on the right. We took the Lizard Head Trail for a bit before getting up to the ridge on the right.
Along the social trail leading up the ridge, Capitol Butte left.
Along the social trail leading up the ridge, Capitol Butte left.
Image 2 from gallery
Looking back along the social trail.
Looking back along the social trail.
Social trail hugs the north side of the false summit.
Social trail hugs the north side of the false summit.
Short Class 3 move early on.
Short Class 3 move early on.
Working up the north side of the false summit. We started somewhere around the civilization seen below.
Working up the north side of the false summit. We started somewhere around the civilization seen below.
Near the false summit, Capitol Butte visible center.
Near the false summit, Capitol Butte visible center.
Image 8 from gallery
Heading east along the saddle between Capitol Butte and the false summit.
Heading east along the saddle between Capitol Butte and the false summit.
Looking back toward the false summit, the saddle below.
Looking back toward the false summit, the saddle below.
Image 11 from gallery
Class 3 section.
Class 3 section.
Another Class 3 section. It looks more exposed in this photo than it is for some reason.
Another Class 3 section. It looks more exposed in this photo than it is for some reason.
Final Class 2 bit to the summit.
Final Class 2 bit to the summit.
Looking back down the final ridge slope.
Looking back down the final ridge slope.
Capitol Butte summit ahead.
Capitol Butte summit ahead.
Yoshi on the true summit.
Yoshi on the true summit.
Capitol Butte summit looking east.
Capitol Butte summit looking east.
Capitol Butte summit looking north.
Capitol Butte summit looking north.

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!