Hike New Water Mountains New Water Mountains Wilderness BLM, AZ

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The New Water Mountains are a small range visible south of I-10, characterized by a unique ridgeline caked in cliff bands. Reaching the range’s high point requires a long drive on a bumpy road for a relatively short hike. We left the graded road and headed west here (33.55152, -113.76725), my crossover SUV barely making it to our parking spot.

We hiked south on an old road. While it’s legally drivable, we were sick of being in the car and wanted some exercise. Our goal was a saddle on the ridgeline, but small cliff bands prevented direct access. The road ended shortly after at the wilderness boundary, where we continued south up the increasingly steep slope. Higher up, the terrain transitioned to a small talus field, followed by scree. We crossed the scree slope and navigated through the cliff bands we had spotted earlier, encountering some Class 3 on the way up but only Class 2 on the descent. I think we crossed the scree field higher up on the way down, avoiding the cliff navigation we’d done on the ascent.

A short move led above a final cliff band to gain the ridge crest. First up was the New Water Mountains High Point, located to the east along the ridgeline. We followed the rim closely, occasionally pulling Class 2+ moves over small cliffs, but the real challenge was avoiding the countless cholla scattered across the landscape. None of us made it back unscathed. The drop to the north was gorgeous, and as we gained elevation, the magnitude of the ridgeline stretching westward became clear. We began to truly appreciate this weird little range. There was one Class 3 move along the rim that could be avoided by keeping to the right if preferred. The summit block of the New Water Mountains High Point required a Class 3 move along a narrow ridge.

Back at the saddle, I headed solo up to Peak 2800 while my friends, tired of dodging cacti, opted out. I couldn’t resist tagging a peak this close, especially in an area I was unlikely to revisit. I stayed to the left of an initial headwall, then side-hilled to a broad, talus-covered slope south of Peak 2800. Navigation was a bit tricky due to small cliff bands, but staying farther south helped me avoid them completely. Once above the slope, the ridge walk was straightforward to the summit.

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

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

New Water Mountains High Point

2839 ft

739 rise

Peak 2800

2800 ft

340 rise

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Hiking up an old road to the base of the New Water Mountains.

The road ended, so we continued to the saddle seen center.

Steep, loose talus/scree higher up.

View back at the short section of nasty slope.

Traversing over to the saddle.

Wrapping around a small cliff to reach the saddle (out of view on the right). New Water Mountains High Point up there somewhere.

Chris gaining the saddle.

Along the crest to New Water Mountains HP.

View back down at the interesting ridgeline.

Wider shot back.

Continuing along the crest. Lots of cholla.

Higher up, another shot back.

Summit seen ahead.

Just below the summit, a shot looking back along the scenic ridgeline.

New Water Mountains HP summit block.

Class 3.

Back at the Class 3 moves to gain the summit block.

New Water Mountains HP, view west.

New Water Mountains HP, view east.

Back to the saddle, onward to Peak 2800.

Wrapping around an initial headwall. I side-hilled over to the slope seen left of center.

View back toward the saddle and New Water Mountains HP.

Class 2/2+ slope to gain the crest, then a quick hike to the summit.

Peak 2800, view west.

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!