Hike House Mountain Mount Nutt Wilderness BLM, AZ

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It was going to be difficult to top the intense fun from yesterday's Secret Pass Breakfast Peaks, but this nice hike still had some great views of the area without the scary scrambles. I'll note in advance that the eastern portion of the mini-loop leading through a canyon adds some Class 2+/3, and including the big rock formation we called "Scary Spice" increases the route to Class 4. If you want to keep the day to minimal scrambling, stick to the out-and-back to House Mountain. 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.

We started south into a narrow drainage that separated two cool rock formations and continued up to Peak 3955. We tried a few options, all leading to scary scrambling. Ultimately the best option leads up a steep slope, wrapping around the peak's east side and to a Class 2 scramble on the summit block. We backtracked and wrapped around Peak 3955's west face, heading to Peak 3960. This peak's summit was a bit more obvious to attain, a Class 2 slope leading up the southeast slope. We continued south toward House Mountain, passing over the head of a canyon we'd later descend.

We choose not to follow the brushy drainage that led south and instead ascended a somewhat brushy and often rocky slope. It wasn't unpleasant, but did take some effort. Once we cleared the slope, we meandered along the ridgeline to the summit of House Mountain. The views in all directions were really nice. We initially planned to drop down to the east and get another peak out there, but the cliffs fortifying House Mountain felt too treacherous to attempt a route down. Instead we backtracked to the head of the canyon we passed over earlier and decided to explore. There were some fun Class 3 boulder obstacles, and most are likely avoidable if you take the extra time to look for options. The canyon was pretty, but didn't get as narrow as we thought it might. We passed some graffiti and shortly after, a parking lot. From here we headed to a saddle to the northwest, the most efficient way to get back to the trailhead.

At the saddle, we noted an interesting rock formation which we dubbed "Scary Spice" on our right. With time to kill, we thought it would be fun to try a route up, locating a narrow chute on the formation's west side. We headed up the chute to its head (Class 3) and reached the eastern summit of the formation, realizing the western summit was likely a little taller. We headed back into the ascent chute and traversed an exposed slab with good holds (Class 4), continued along a ledge with an inconvenient bush, and then worked up a Class 3 slab to the summit. While not much of an accomplishment, it was a fun add-on. I don't normally like to call small features like this "peaks", but this one was interesting enough to warrant it, we thought.

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

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Peak 3955

3955 ft

295 rise

Peak 3960

3960 ft

300 rise

House Mountain

4463 ft

883 rise

Scary Spice

3540 ft

160 rise

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We started along this dirt road, heading for the narrow drainage on the far right. Peak 3955 visible top right, Peak 3960 center.

Approaching Peak 3955. We ascended via the slope visible in the center of the peak.

Looking back through the narrow drainage back toward the trailhead, El Castillo visible center.

Steep slope up to Peak 3955.

Looking back down the slope leading up Peak 3955. El Castillo visible top right.

Peak 3955, view toward Steel-cut Peak and other Mount Nutt Wilderness peaks.

Peak 3955 summit, view toward Peak 3960 (center) and House Mountain (top right).

We dropped down and wrapped around Peak 3955.

Approaching Peak 3960.

Peak 3960 slope.

View back just below Peak 3960's summit toward the approach. You can see our descent canyon (later) in the center. House Mountain visible top left.

After coming down from Peak 3960, we crossed the head of our later descent canyon (left). For now, we crossed it and headed up the drainage on the right.

Making our way up the slope to House Mountain.

Sometimes brushy/steep on the way up the slopes to House Mountain.

Looking back at the top of the slope.

House Mountain ahead.

View back as we make our way up to the House Mountain rim.

Along the rim leading to House Mountain.

House Mountain summit, view north.

Close-up to the south from House Mountain.

View toward Mount Nutt.

We went back to the canyon we crossed over and headed in.

Some Class 2/3 boulder hopping.

Some minor avoidable brush.

After the mouth of the canyon, we encountered a dirt parking lot. We didn't follow the road leading to it, instead continuing to the saddle in the center of this photo. Scary Spice is visible on the right.

Looking back as we ascend to the saddle. The canyon we descended from is visible right of center.

Entering the narrow chute.

Matt coming up the Class 3 chute.

Matt traversing the Class 4 slab. I got this shot on the way back, hence why he's looking the wrong way.

View back at our progress up Scary Spice - the Class 3 ascent chute is visible on the bottom right, and the Class 4 slab is just above Matt.

Inconvenient bush on a scary ledge. Just past this, we wrapped around on the right and got to the summit.

Class 3 slab to the summit.

Scary Spice, view toward House Mountain (center) and Peak 3960 (top right).

Looking back toward the saddle (center) and Scary Spice (left).

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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!