Morning Glory Spire in Coconino National Forest, AZ

Hike Morning Glory Spire Coconino National Forest, AZ

Class 4 2.2 miles 1100 gain 1-2 hr Out + Back Feb 8, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Morning Glory Spire GPX Track

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Matt and I started at the Jordan Road Trailhead and followed the Cibola Pass Trail west until we located an obvious slope leading to a notch to the east of Morning Glory Spire. A social trail began to materialize as we neared the notch, and this trail continued up the east face of the spire (Class 2). A couple of tiny switchbacks along the red rock face led to the crux of the route, a Class 4 fifteen-foot headwall next to a tree. It's a bit slopey and includes a fairly committing move requiring a high foot and a hollow-looking flake, but it's really not all that exposed. Above this move was a flat section, where the route led to the left around the spire. A Class 3 fun crack brought us to a Class 4 incredibly fun crack. The latter had some fun moves with good holds and no exposure, but it got too narrow toward the time. A little shimmying took us out of the crack and onto the face, where a couple of moves got us to the top. A final wrap-around included a Class 3 move over a lip and we found ourselves at the summit block of Morning Glory Spire. This Class 3 move had some light exposure to the left, but was a reasonably easy move.

There is a bolt some may want to use for the crux in order to descend more safely via rappel (I recommend bringing a 60-foot rope), otherwise the down-climb might be a bit scary. Thanks to Christopher Czaplicki for the route info.

We continued east, following a social trail in order to get to somewhere unrelated to this trip report, but I believe you could find a route down to the Brins Mesa Trail. I outlined this potentially better option in purple on my attached map. The dotted line may or may not be a social trail, but the ridgeline social trail was really pleasant and had nice views back toward Morning Glory Spire, so it might be worth the attempt.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Morning Glory Spire
4240 ft
320 rise

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Starting from the Jordan Road Trailhead along the Cibola Pass Trail.
Starting from the Jordan Road Trailhead along the Cibola Pass Trail.
Morning Glory Spire visible on the left.
Morning Glory Spire visible on the left.
Close-up of Morning Glory Spire.
Close-up of Morning Glory Spire.
Just before leaving the trail and heading to the notch directly to the right of Morning Glory Spire.
Just before leaving the trail and heading to the notch directly to the right of Morning Glory Spire.
Looking back at our route up the slope leading to the notch.
Looking back at our route up the slope leading to the notch.
Notch ahead, Morning Glory Spire on the left.
Notch ahead, Morning Glory Spire on the left.
At the notch, view back down.
At the notch, view back down.
Working up along a social trail on Morning Glory Spire's east face.
Working up along a social trail on Morning Glory Spire's east face.
The Mitten, a Class 5 butte, visible on the left as we work our way up to the crux.
The Mitten, a Class 5 butte, visible on the left as we work our way up to the crux.
The crux of Morning Glory Spire, Class 4/4+.
The crux of Morning Glory Spire, Class 4/4+.
Looking down at the crux.
Looking down at the crux.
Morning Glory Spire ahead. We wrapped around to the left.
Morning Glory Spire ahead. We wrapped around to the left.
Wrapping around to the left of Morning Glory Spire.
Wrapping around to the left of Morning Glory Spire.
Class 3 crack.
Class 3 crack.
Class 4 crack, quite fun.
Class 4 crack, quite fun.
Matt exiting the narrow section of the crux, climbing up a couple moves on the headwall.
Matt exiting the narrow section of the crux, climbing up a couple moves on the headwall.
Final wrap-around, requiring a Class 3 move. Just after this is the summit block.
Final wrap-around, requiring a Class 3 move. Just after this is the summit block.
Photo of me on the Class 3 summit block. Photo by Matt Bloomfield.
Photo of me on the Class 3 summit block. Photo by Matt Bloomfield.
Morning Glory Spire summit, shot of me. Photo by Matt Bloomfield.
Morning Glory Spire summit, shot of me. Photo by Matt Bloomfield.
Looking back toward Morning Glory Spire as we continue east along a social trail.
Looking back toward Morning Glory Spire as we continue east along a social trail.
Shot back again at Morning Glory Spire. I believe there is likely a way back down via a social trail if you continue east along the ridge from Morning Glory Spire, but I'm not totally sure.
Shot back again at Morning Glory Spire. I believe there is likely a way back down via a social trail if you continue east along the ridge from Morning Glory Spire, but I'm not totally sure.
Close-up of Morning Glory Spire's Class 4 route.
Close-up of Morning Glory Spire's Class 4 route.

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!