Golden Gate Mountain and Bren Peak in Saguaro National Park, AZ

Hike Golden Gate Mountain and Bren Peak Saguaro National Park, AZ

Class 2 3.3 miles 2500 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Nov 11, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Golden Gate Mountain and Bren Benchmark are a couple of desert peaks just south of Tucson that overall aren't super interesting, but made for a nice outing. Initially I intended to just head up Golden Gate Mountain, but I saw Bren Benchmark from the summit of Golden Gate and decided to give it a go.

From the David Yetman West Trailhead, I followed the obvious trail up the saddle of Golden Gate Mountain and Bren Benchmark, looking for a cairn marking the route for Golden Gate Mountain. I located it shortly after descending on the other side of the saddle, and cairns and a faint social trail worked up a steep slope with some Class 2, avoiding most of the cactus unpleasantness. The summit was nice, but Bren Benchmark called me from across the saddle, so I didn't stay for long. I descended and then went back to the saddle, where I started up a mostly cactus-free steep slope on my way up to Bren Benchmark. I droppped into a good-looking gully that led to the summit ridge of Bren Benchmark. This gully was overall okay, but did have some pricklies and rocky terrain. The ascent had no trail and was loose and not particularly fun. Once on the summit ridge, I bagged both highpoints before heading back, unsure which was higher.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Golden Gate Mountain
4288 ft
1128 rise
2
Bren Benchmark
3988 ft
806 rise

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David Yetman West Trailhead. Golden Gate Mountain on the right.
David Yetman West Trailhead. Golden Gate Mountain on the right.
View back toward the trailhead as I make my way to the saddle of Golden Gate Mountain and Bren Peak.
View back toward the trailhead as I make my way to the saddle of Golden Gate Mountain and Bren Peak.
Just past the saddle, the trail descends to the southeast. This is a view looking that way, but the social trail that will lead to Golden Gate Mountain is marked by a cairn is on my right.
Just past the saddle, the trail descends to the southeast. This is a view looking that way, but the social trail that will lead to Golden Gate Mountain is marked by a cairn is on my right.
Social trail headed up to Golden Gate Mountain.
Social trail headed up to Golden Gate Mountain.
Golden Gate Mountain ahead.
Golden Gate Mountain ahead.
View back to the saddle of Golden Gate Mountain and Bren Peak.
View back to the saddle of Golden Gate Mountain and Bren Peak.
Ascending to Golden Gate Mountain.
Ascending to Golden Gate Mountain.
Another shot back, Bren Peak visible center.
Another shot back, Bren Peak visible center.
Minor Class 2 on the way up to Golden Gate Mountain.
Minor Class 2 on the way up to Golden Gate Mountain.
Another shot back just as I finish the main ascent. Bren Peak visible on the left.
Another shot back just as I finish the main ascent. Bren Peak visible on the left.
Final bit to the summit of Golden Gate Mountain.
Final bit to the summit of Golden Gate Mountain.
Bren Peak center, my trailhead on the left.
Bren Peak center, my trailhead on the left.
Golden Gate Mountain summit, view west.
Golden Gate Mountain summit, view west.
Back at the saddle, onward to Bren Peak, seen ahead.
Back at the saddle, onward to Bren Peak, seen ahead.
Ascending the trail-less slope, a view back toward Golden Gate Mountain.
Ascending the trail-less slope, a view back toward Golden Gate Mountain.
Class 2 steep and rocky slope.
Class 2 steep and rocky slope.
Within a decent gully as I make my way up Bren Peak. Golden Gate Mountain visible center.
Within a decent gully as I make my way up Bren Peak. Golden Gate Mountain visible center.
Class 2 to gain the ridgeline.
Class 2 to gain the ridgeline.
Bren Peak ridgeline, view west toward one of the possible summits.
Bren Peak ridgeline, view west toward one of the possible summits.
Bren Peak view east.
Bren Peak view east.
Bren Peak, view toward the other possible summit (right). Golden Gate Mountain visible left. The saddle I came up from visible center.
Bren Peak, view toward the other possible summit (right). Golden Gate Mountain visible left. The saddle I came up from visible 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!