Mount Glenn in Coronado National Forest, AZ

Hike Mount Glenn Coronado National Forest, AZ

Class 2 5.2 miles 2600 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Mar 1, 2022
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Mount Glenn GPX Track

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Cochise Stronghold is a popular climbing destination in the Dragoon Mountains, and years ago I hiked the Cochise Stronghold Trail, which visits a bunch of the nice rock formations in the area. Today I was aiming to get the high point of the range, Mount Glenn. While the peak doesn't have much of the granitic personality of the terrain on its lower south side, the views are nice and the hike is pleasant.

To reach the trailhead, navigate here (31.94874, -109.94899) and turn right (north). Then turn left here (31.96789, -109.95169). Most vehicles could make it to where I parked (sedans may have to add a mile or so), but only trucks could continue farther. I was happy to hike the narrow, horrible switchbacks on foot rather than damage my car.

At the end of the road switchbacks I made it to an old mine. I looked up at the brushy, horrible slope that would take me to the east ridge of Mount Glenn. Although short-lived, the 300 feet of elevation gain up this slope was miserable. There's not an established social trail up this section. Low-hanging branches stuck me any chance they could, and after unearthing a few rocks and being knocked over a few times I found myself crawling up the slope instead. Yay, hiking.

Now on the east ridge of Mount Glenn, I was relieved to find the ridgeline looked mostly clear of brush and would be quite pleasant. I could see the summit a couple of miles away, and I started up. There was a noticeable trail much of the way along the ridge, but with the warming temperature I was happy to have my snake gaiters on as I trampled through the sometimes tall grasses. There were cool views toward the granite pinnacles to the south. Although pleasant, there's not much to say about the first half of the ascent. It's straightforward and went pretty quickly, the occasional steeper section slowing me down.

A couple of minor bumps on the ridgeline added some additional vertical gain about halfway up the ridge, and then a burn area a few hundred feet from the summit added some light bushwhacking over charred foliage. A rock outcropping along the ridge crest adds some Class 2/3 and brush to the mix, but it's easy to avoid this unnecessary obstacle by keeping to the left (south) of the ridge on the steep slope when nearing the summit area. Mount Glenn's high point might be one of two bumps, but I found the summit register on the farther bump, so I suppose that's what's been determined as the true summit. Plus, the views are nicer from the farther summit anyway.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Mount Glenn
7480 ft
2840 rise

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Starting up the road after it became too rough to be worth driving. Mount Glenn is up there hidden by a sub-peak in the center.
Starting up the road after it became too rough to be worth driving. Mount Glenn is up there hidden by a sub-peak in the center.
At the top of the road switchbacks, view east.
At the top of the road switchbacks, view east.
An old mine at the end of the road.
An old mine at the end of the road.
At the end of the road, view toward the east ridge of Mont Glenn. First I'd have to get up this burly slope seen on the left.
At the end of the road, view toward the east ridge of Mont Glenn. First I'd have to get up this burly slope seen on the left.
Yep, this is pretty much what the slope is like for a few hundred feet. Not excellent.
Yep, this is pretty much what the slope is like for a few hundred feet. Not excellent.
After ascending the short-lived unpleasant slope, I started along the east ridge toward Mount Glenn, obscured in the center.
After ascending the short-lived unpleasant slope, I started along the east ridge toward Mount Glenn, obscured in the center.
At the ridgeline, view south toward the granitic formations the Dragoon Mountains are known for.
At the ridgeline, view south toward the granitic formations the Dragoon Mountains are known for.
Close-up along the ridgeline.
Close-up along the ridgeline.
View back along the ridge, my car somewhere in the center below.
View back along the ridge, my car somewhere in the center below.
Continuing along the ridge, Mount Glenn now visible top left.
Continuing along the ridge, Mount Glenn now visible top left.
A steeper section of slope. As you can see ahead there are a few small humps to go up and over.
A steeper section of slope. As you can see ahead there are a few small humps to go up and over.
View back.
View back.
The ridgeline bends southwest, continuing to Mount Glenn.
The ridgeline bends southwest, continuing to Mount Glenn.
This is about the worst the brush/grass gets.
This is about the worst the brush/grass gets.
Image 14 from gallery
Image 15 from gallery
Final ascent to Mount Glenn seen ahead.
Final ascent to Mount Glenn seen ahead.
Close-up along the ridge toward one of the many cool granitic blobs on the south side of Mount Glenn.
Close-up along the ridge toward one of the many cool granitic blobs on the south side of Mount Glenn.
The ridge enters a burn area a few hundred feet from the summit. Ahead you can see a rock outcropping through the trees. Keep left of these to avoid excessive bushwhacking.
The ridge enters a burn area a few hundred feet from the summit. Ahead you can see a rock outcropping through the trees. Keep left of these to avoid excessive bushwhacking.
Just below the summit, view back along the eat ridge of Mount Glenn.
Just below the summit, view back along the eat ridge of Mount Glenn.
Final slope to the summit.
Final slope to the summit.
First of two summits, view toward the high point, just to the northwest.
First of two summits, view toward the high point, just to the northwest.
Mount Glenn summit, view southeast.
Mount Glenn summit, view southeast.
Mount Glenn summit, view south.
Mount Glenn summit, view south.
Image 24 from gallery

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!