Hike Mount Perkins Black Mountains BLM, AZ

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Route Map

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Mount Perkins GPX Track

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Mount Perkins is the high point of the Black Mountains, and despite the incredible diversity in scrambles, views, and interesting desert scenery of the Black Mountains at large, this is a straightforward and pretty boring hike. That being said, it's remote and of course worthy of a visit for the expansive look down at the Colorado River below and the other desert peaks in the area. To reach the trailhead, leave AZ-93 here (35.6705855, -114.4598691) and follow the Eldorado Powerline Road west until this junction (35.664837, -114.491869), where you should keep left and continue southwest and then south. From here the road is easy to follow and most vehicles better than a sedan could probably make it without issue. The last half mile or so does get steeper, but not enough that 2WD couldn't handle it. I parked at the end of the road at some sort of fenced-in tower.

The road continues for a couple hundred feet headed east, but it's bad and I just walked it since the road ends shortly after. A social trail then leads the rest of the way along the northwest ridgeline to the summit of Mount Perkins. The only obstacles along the way are a couple of rock outcroppings that the trail wraps around on their right (west) side. The trail sometimes leaves the ridge crest, but only for a short time. Below the summit is a final headwall that seems a little daunting from below, but the trail leads around it on its north (left) side, and up to the summit area. Spirit Mountain can be seen in the distance, along with Mount Tipton and others.

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

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Mount Perkins

5456 ft

2036 rise

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View from where I parked toward the start of the hike.

View toward the Colorado River from my parking spot.

View back toward my car at the end of the less-good road that I chose to hike rather than drive.

A social trail continues along the ridgeline, passing around the right side of a couple of rock outcroppings.

Mount Perkins visible ahead. Overall it's an easy hike on a social trail along the ridge crest.

Rock outcropping in the distance looks harder than it will prove to be.

View back toward my car, center.

Ascending along the ridge. The trail leads to the left around the outcrop ahead.

View back as the trail ascends easily around the rock outcrop.

Mount Perkins is ahead, about 5o feet past the tower ahead.

At the tower, view back along the ridge.

At the tower, view toward Mount Perkins (left).

Mount Perkins summit, view back toward the tower.

Mount Perkins summit, view toward Spirit Mountain in the distance.

Mount Perkins, close-up toward Mount Tipton.

Close-up toward the Colorado River.

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!