Hike Hidden Valley Tanks Peaks Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, AZ

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This small group of peaks is located on the north side of High Peak within the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. None of these peaks are named, so I named this loop based on a small dam that they surround called Hidden Valley Tanks. We were all looking forward to exploring this area, considering the impressive topography. We started from the north, leaving US-95 here (33.30294, -114.21853). Any vehicle with some clearance can make it.

We reached two peaks labeled Peak 2120 on this loop, but we first started south (counterclockwise), following burro trails until we reached a wide slope on the southwest side of Peak 2120. There may have been a route up earlier on, but the cliffs looked daunting. The slope we started up passed a large arch and then continued up typical Class 2 rocky terrain, followed by a couple of short Class 3 moves to gain the south ridge. We followed the narrow ridge to the base of Peak 2120’s summit headwall, then located a viable option on the right. A few Class 3 moves led to a single Class 4 move on questionable rock. Although not super exposed, the mountain felt like it was crumbling under my every movement. The scramble was easy past this, and the views of the surrounding peaks and deep canyon were stunning in the morning light.

We next decided to take the canyon to the south in order to explore the canyon system around the peaks, also noting a landmark labeled “Hidden Valley Tanks” on a map. At the mouth of the canyon, we found some old mining gear and a tall metal ladder leading above a dryfall. Not knowing how old this flimsy, rusty ladder was, we climbed it slowly. Above, we found some contained water blocked by a dam. A plaque inscribed on the structure stated that it was built in the ’80s by the Fish and Wildlife Service. What a neat find!

We continued east through the pretty canyon, noting an impressive, nearly circular arch high above us. The canyon was easy to hike through, and we toyed with the idea of attempting a route to High Peak from this direction, but decided we didn’t want to attempt it without proper gear. Instead, we eyed a pyramid-shaped sub-peak separating Peak 2120 and Peak 2260 and determined we’d ascend its easy side to attempt a route. A brushy slope led us there, and we determined accessing this pyramid was unlikely, but Peak 2260 was located just south. My friends weren’t initially interested, but then I pointed out the potential for fun scrambling up a route likely nobody had done before, and they bent quickly.

Some Class 3 moves led up from the saddle, followed by a bit of light route-finding and more small obstacles. Overall, a surprisingly nice section. Soon we were on the ridgeline above, which was a totally different aesthetic compared to the rest of the hike so far. It was a tame ridge with expansive views, featuring black volcanic boulders. The summit was a great vantage point to take in High Peak’s east face.

We backtracked and continued north down a gully, approaching the base of Peak 2260. There were some obstacles and a fair amount of brush. This summit is best reached via its extended east ridge, since cliffs circle it otherwise. We hiked up an interesting high-angle slab of volcanic rock, gaining the crest and following it. We encountered a couple of obstacles, the most notable being a significant notch that can be avoided by wrapping around on the left.

Our final summit was the second Peak 2120 of the loop, a mostly straightforward peak compared to the others. A slope led us to its southeastern ridge and beneath a colorful cliff, and some Class 2/3 moves brought us around a small boulder maze just below the summit. We dropped north on loose terrain and returned to the cars.

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

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Peak 2120

2120 ft

340 rise

Peak 2620

2620 ft

360 rise

Peak 2260

2260 ft

420 rise

Peak 2120

2120 ft

340 rise

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Approaching our peaks from the cars.

Peak 2120's northern reaches seen center.

Wrapping around our cluster of peaks.

Approaching Peak 2120 from its southwest side via a slope.

A massive arch.

View back down as we ascend the slope.

Class 2/3 higher up.

View back down at our progress up the slope.

Class 3 move to gain the crest.

Summit of Peak 2120 ahead, with a narrow ridge beforehand.

View back along the narrow ridge. High Peak seen top center.

Short Class 4 scramble on crap rock.

View back down the Class 4 section.

Summit of Peak 2120.

Summit of Peak 2120, view toward High Peak (right) and Peak 2620 (left).

Mining equipment near the mouth of Hidden Valley Tanks.

Ladder up to Hidden Valley Tanks.

View down the ladder.

Hidden Valley Tanks.

Onward up the canyon.

View toward High Peak.

View back as we ascend the canyon. There's a large circular arch I didn't get a close-up of, but you can see it above Chris.

At the saddle on the north side of Peak 2620.

Mostly Class 2, with a couple of Class 3 moves (lighting is different because I took this shot on the way back).

View back down as we ascend.

Along the more tame ridgeline to Peak 2620.

View back along the ridgeline.

Peak 2620 ahead.

Happy summit shot toward High Peak.

After backtracking to the saddle, descending the gully and heading north.

Peak 2260 next.

Ascending a cool volcanic slab.

Ridgeline leading to Peak 2260.

A cool wrap-around to get into a notch.

View back at the notch.

Summit of Peak 2260, view toward our earlier cluster.

Summit of Peak 2260, view toward our final summit, Peak 2120.

Peak 2120 ahead.

Colorful cliff on the south side.

View back as we ascent to Peak 2120.

Short boulder maze (Class 2/3) to gain Peak 2120.

Close-up of Signal Peak and Summit peak from Peak 2120.

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!