El Castillo and El Trono in Mount Nutt Wilderness BLM, AZ

Hike El Castillo and El Trono Mount Nutt Wilderness BLM, AZ

Class 3 3.7 miles 1600 gain 2-4 hrs Loop Jan 18, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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El Castillo (The Castle) is the first peak you encounter when heading into the Mount Nutt Wilderness BLM, and it's the more popular peak (while still seeing minimal visitation) of the area. I later learned the peak is known to some locals as Quail Butte. We headed into the area from the north, navigating into Golden Valley and turning here (35.22611, -114.30686) onto Egar Road and following it to here (35.18532, -114.30685) onto Bolsa Drive. We followed this road to its end where it turned left and a road diverted to the right here (35.18003, -114.34214). We followed this road past a cattle guard and continued west. 2WD could make it to the parking spot, but expect some sand.

From the trailhead, we followed a dirt road leading northwest, leaving it to enter a major drainage coming down from El Castillo. We encountered some bushwhacking, but it can be mostly avoided if you keep to the right of the drainage. We worked our way up somewhat brushy and bouldery terrain, passing a pinnacle on our right. From here you could continue within the gully and reach the saddle of El Castillo and its neighbor to the northwest. A Class 3 move would lead up from the saddle. However, we decided to ascend via a ramp just beneath the cliffs of El Castillo. Either way would work. We found ourselves at the base of El Castillo and followed its summit cliff base until we could gain access (Class 2) to the summit ridgeline. While fun, El Castillo ended up being less climactic than anticipated. It just couldn't compare to the previous day's routefinding on the Secret Pass Breakfast Peaks. That being said, it's got some nice views and an interesting route. We spied a peak to the west which we later dubbed "El Trono" (The Throne), and decided to give it a shot. We backtracked below El Castillo's cliffs and worked our way to the saddle between it and its lower neighbor, which we'd have to wrap around to get down. There was a Class 3 move (which you would have ascended had you gone up to the saddle previously to access El Castillo), and then some easy side-hilling along the base of the lower neighbor's cliffs. We descended the easy west slope down to a dirt road. This is the same dirt road we'd use later to get back to the car.

We headed up the somewhat steep east slope of El Trono, hoping to locate a route. An interesting tunnel-like slope brought us to the west side of the peak. We attempted to ascend the Class 4/5 north scrambling because it looked fun, but this would lead to a very exposed ridge later, so I don't recommend it. Instead, we continued south at the base of El Trono's cliffs and found a nice Class 3 ladder-like ramp scramble. Class 2 led to the summit from here. I'll note that accessing this peak would likely be easier from the west rather than ascending from the east, but I don't know what the drive would be like to get out there. After taking in the views we headed back the way we came and returned to the trailhead via the same dirt road we came in on.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
El Castillo
4097 ft
497 rise
2
El Trono
4094 ft
554 rise

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From the trailhead, a shot toward El Castillo (top right) and El Trono (top left).
From the trailhead, a shot toward El Castillo (top right) and El Trono (top left).
After following the road for a bit, we headed into the major drainage leading down from El Castillo, keeping to the right where there were some decent animal trails.
After following the road for a bit, we headed into the major drainage leading down from El Castillo, keeping to the right where there were some decent animal trails.
Class 2 bouldery and sometimes brushy terrain as we ascend.
Class 2 bouldery and sometimes brushy terrain as we ascend.
Looking back at our progress.
Looking back at our progress.
Above a pinnacle as we get higher on El Castillo.
Above a pinnacle as we get higher on El Castillo.
Keeping left leads to the saddle of El Castillo and its lower neighbor, which is viable. Keeping right leads to the base of the cliff seen above, and a ramp leads to higher ground.
Keeping left leads to the saddle of El Castillo and its lower neighbor, which is viable. Keeping right leads to the base of the cliff seen above, and a ramp leads to higher ground.
On the ramp leading up, the saddle separating El Castillo from the lower neighbor visible on the left.
On the ramp leading up, the saddle separating El Castillo from the lower neighbor visible on the left.
Looking back toward the lower neighbor (right) and El Trono (far left) as we  wrap below the summit cliffs of El Castillo.
Looking back toward the lower neighbor (right) and El Trono (far left) as we wrap below the summit cliffs of El Castillo.
Wrapping beneath the cliff. You can see the majority of the Mount Nutt Wilderness from here.
Wrapping beneath the cliff. You can see the majority of the Mount Nutt Wilderness from here.
We gained the summit ridge on Class 2 and hairpin turned to get to the summit.
We gained the summit ridge on Class 2 and hairpin turned to get to the summit.
Along the summit ridge.
Along the summit ridge.
El Castillo summit, view toward El Trono (left). You can see Sugarloaf Mountain in the distant center.
El Castillo summit, view toward El Trono (left). You can see Sugarloaf Mountain in the distant center.
Class 3 move to get to the saddle of El Castillo and El Trono.
Class 3 move to get to the saddle of El Castillo and El Trono.
Wrapping around the base of El Castillo's lower neighbor.
Wrapping around the base of El Castillo's lower neighbor.
Easy slopes leading down on our way up El Trono (center). You can sort of see the lighter-colored tunnel-like slope on the peak's right.
Easy slopes leading down on our way up El Trono (center). You can sort of see the lighter-colored tunnel-like slope on the peak's right.
View back toward El Castillo's lower neighbor.
View back toward El Castillo's lower neighbor.
Another shot back. The valley on the right has a dirt road, which we used later to get back to our cars.
Another shot back. The valley on the right has a dirt road, which we used later to get back to our cars.
Entering the tunnel-like slope.
Entering the tunnel-like slope.
View back into the tunnel, El Castillo visible on the lft.
View back into the tunnel, El Castillo visible on the lft.
Nearing the top of the tunnel. From here we wrapped around along the cliffy base.
Nearing the top of the tunnel. From here we wrapped around along the cliffy base.
Looking back as we continue around the west side of El Trono.
Looking back as we continue around the west side of El Trono.
We came across this Class 3 ladder-like ramp. El Trono summit visible top center.
We came across this Class 3 ladder-like ramp. El Trono summit visible top center.
Looking back at the crux.
Looking back at the crux.
El Trono summit, view toward El Castillo (left) and Mount Nutt (right).
El Trono summit, view toward El Castillo (left) and Mount Nutt (right).
We came back down El Trono and hiked along the dirt road back to our cars.
We came back down El Trono and hiked along the dirt road back to our cars.

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