North Mount Nutt and Trough Peak in Mount Nutt Wilderness BLM, AZ

Hike North Mount Nutt and Trough Peak Mount Nutt Wilderness BLM, AZ

Class 3 8.6 miles 3600 gain 5-7 hrs Out + Back Nov 20, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

North Mount Nutt and Trough Peak GPX Track

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After hiking in the Mount Nutt Wilderness Area earlier this year and finding some pretty incredible peaks in our silly-named Breakfast Loop, I've been itching to check out more nearby. I teamed up with Adam to get one of the higher-prominence peaks in the area, along with a couple of add-ons. The peak is unnamed, but we labeled it North Mount Nutt since it's just north of the range high point, and the views of the more craggy and interesting peaks in the area were pretty incredible from the mountain. The peak itself ended up being a lot easier than anticipated, but we enjoyed the hike overall, despite being a bit more tame relative to the area.

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, then south to Secret Pass. 2WD could make it a mile or so in from the cattle guard, but then the sand becomes deeper and the road gets a bit more rutted. We kept left and headed south when the road continued northwest to Secret Pass, and this brought us to a spot before the road deteriorated enough to be too slow-moving. We were content with starting where we did.

A short hike through a wash leading south brought us to the base of a sloped ridge. We followed this west to the base of Peak 4220, which seemed imposing from all visible sides. We tackled it from the north via a Class 2/3 set of slopes in a weakness in the cliff band. It wasn't a highlight, but it was a nice add-on, and the views of the Breakfast Peaks was great. We came down from Peak 4220 and continued south along the ridge crest. There are a few minor humps along the way with interesting pinnacles and rock outcrops at their tops, an we avoided them all by side-hilling around them.

The ridge continued to go at Class 1/2 until the base of North Mount Nutt's northern cliff band. We inspected the potential to ascend directly, and while it would have likely worked, we instead wrapped around to the peak's west side to locate a more reasonable-looking option. We entered a short and somewhat brushy Class 2/3 canyon that gave way to a grassy Class 2 slope and with some minor route-finding around rock outcrops, we were able to make it to the summit of North Mount Nutt. We took some time gazing at the many volcanic peaks in the area, overwhelmed by how exciting they all looked. We decided to head back and get an unnamed peak close to our car, which we later labeled Trough Peak due to its proximity to Trough Spring.

After backtracking much the same way we ascended, rather than lose time re-ascending toward Peak 4220, we dropped north into easy terrain and down into a vegetated drainage. Keep out of the drainage if you can to avoid prickles. We merged with our previous route and then headed northeast toward Trough Peak. On the way we passed the end of the road (despite how it appears on Google Maps, the road is closed for the wilderness area), where two guys with big Jeeps thought they were going crazy by hearing us, not really understanding how there could be people wandering in the desert. After quick chat, we let them continue with their beers and we headed into the major drainage on the west side of Trough Peak. The going was easy overall, minimal bushwhacking and mostly flat desert leading us all the way around to the saddle on the north side of Trough Peak. We noted a massive arch to the west that we vowed to check out later.

We dropped slightly off the saddle to explore the northeast side of the peak since so far all we saw were cliffs. The terrain here looked possibly pretty complex, but the many pinnacles and drainages seemed like they might give way for a route to the summit. Fortunately, there seemed to be a gully that would lead through some of the pinnacles. It was a little brushy, but we were able to keep to the rocks on the right to avoid the majority of the annoying stuff. We pulled a few easy Class 3 moves. Adam and I separated and both were able to find routes up around this area, but we agreed this seemed to be the only weakness around the entire peak. The ridgeline to the summit was easy Class 2. We attempted to find another way down and failed, cliffs blocking us on all directions. We returned to the weakness we came up and took slight variations on the way down, but still utilized the peak's northeast sloped and pinnacle-filled terrain.

Onward to the arch we spotted earlier. Class 2/2+ led to its base across the drainage we ascended. The arch was around 50+ feet wide and unnamed as far as we could tell. Trough Arch, I guess? If this one has a name, please let me know. It's massive and surprising it's not marked on any maps. We were thrilled, though realized it's unlikely we were the first to find it. It's close enough to the road, but hidden from direct sight. We went under the arch and descended on the slopes on its opposite side in order to get back to where we parked.

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After leaving the car, we headed south through a wash, then took a slope out of view in this photo.
After leaving the car, we headed south through a wash, then took a slope out of view in this photo.
Ascending the slope to the base of Peak 4220.
Ascending the slope to the base of Peak 4220.
View back along the slope. House Mountain visible in the distance.
View back along the slope. House Mountain visible in the distance.
Class 2/3 up a weakness to gain Peak 4220.
Class 2/3 up a weakness to gain Peak 4220.
View back just below the summit of Peak 4220, Steel-cut peak visible top left.
View back just below the summit of Peak 4220, Steel-cut peak visible top left.
Summit of Peak 4220, view south toward North Mount Nutt.
Summit of Peak 4220, view south toward North Mount Nutt.
Summit of Peak 4220, view north.
Summit of Peak 4220, view north.
Close-up of the more interesting summits in the area, which we lovingly labeled the Breakfast Peaks Loop earlier this year.
Close-up of the more interesting summits in the area, which we lovingly labeled the Breakfast Peaks Loop earlier this year.
After dropping off Peak 4220, we continued along the ridge to North Mount Nutt. There are multiple bumps along the way, such as the one ahead. Keeping left around this next one is the better option.
After dropping off Peak 4220, we continued along the ridge to North Mount Nutt. There are multiple bumps along the way, such as the one ahead. Keeping left around this next one is the better option.
More cool pinnacles on bumps along the ridge. North Mount Nutt visible top left.
More cool pinnacles on bumps along the ridge. North Mount Nutt visible top left.
View back along the ridge, Peak 4220 visible right.
View back along the ridge, Peak 4220 visible right.
Avoiding the pinnacle-topped bumps.
Avoiding the pinnacle-topped bumps.
Shot to the west toward the amazing terrain below. Cool area.
Shot to the west toward the amazing terrain below. Cool area.
Another shot back the way we came. Peak 4220 on the right.
Another shot back the way we came. Peak 4220 on the right.
Ascending an easy slope to the base of North Mount Nutt.
Ascending an easy slope to the base of North Mount Nutt.
Close-up toward the Breakfast Peaks.
Close-up toward the Breakfast Peaks.
North Mount Nutt ahead, one section of Class 2 to contend with on yet another hump along the way.
North Mount Nutt ahead, one section of Class 2 to contend with on yet another hump along the way.
Nearing the cliff base of North Mount Nutt. While we could have likely ascended directly here, we chose to wrap to the right.
Nearing the cliff base of North Mount Nutt. While we could have likely ascended directly here, we chose to wrap to the right.
Along the slopes on the right (west) of North Mount Nutt.
Along the slopes on the right (west) of North Mount Nutt.
We found this cute canyon with some brush that we led us to higher ground. A burro trail directed us toward it.
We found this cute canyon with some brush that we led us to higher ground. A burro trail directed us toward it.
Class 2 terrain and some pinnacles and minor cliffs to navigate around.
Class 2 terrain and some pinnacles and minor cliffs to navigate around.
View back down the way we came, awesome formations visible far below.
View back down the way we came, awesome formations visible far below.
Class 2 as we avoid weaknesses, nearing the summit.
Class 2 as we avoid weaknesses, nearing the summit.
Approaching the summit of North Mount Nutt.
Approaching the summit of North Mount Nutt.
North Mount Nutt summit, view toward Mount Nutt and Battleship Mountain to the south.
North Mount Nutt summit, view toward Mount Nutt and Battleship Mountain to the south.
Close-up toward the Breakfast Peaks.
Close-up toward the Breakfast Peaks.
View northeast toward more cool peaks. Trough Peak is visible on the center left in this photo.
View northeast toward more cool peaks. Trough Peak is visible on the center left in this photo.
We backtracked a bunch and then continued through the desert down to the wilderness boundary. The route we chose headed through a brushy drainage, seen on the left. Keeping out of it is advised. Trough Peak visible just above Adam's head on the right. Our goal is to head to the drainage directly above his head.
We backtracked a bunch and then continued through the desert down to the wilderness boundary. The route we chose headed through a brushy drainage, seen on the left. Keeping out of it is advised. Trough Peak visible just above Adam's head on the right. Our goal is to head to the drainage directly above his head.
Within the drainage on the west side of Trough Peak. You can see the peak's substantial cliff on the right.
Within the drainage on the west side of Trough Peak. You can see the peak's substantial cliff on the right.
View back as we near the saddle on the peak's north side. You can see the cool arch top center.
View back as we near the saddle on the peak's north side. You can see the cool arch top center.
Wrapping around to the northeast side of Trough Peak, lots of cool pinnacles to navigate.
Wrapping around to the northeast side of Trough Peak, lots of cool pinnacles to navigate.
We chose this option.
We chose this option.
View back down, Class 2/3.
View back down, Class 2/3.
More fun navigating up the slope.
More fun navigating up the slope.
On the summit, view north. You can see Adam approaching the summit.
On the summit, view north. You can see Adam approaching the summit.
View east.
View east.
View south toward North Mount Nutt.
View south toward North Mount Nutt.
Onward to the cool arch. Trough Peak visible top left. North Mount Nutt top right.
Onward to the cool arch. Trough Peak visible top left. North Mount Nutt top right.
The arch!
The arch!
Very cool, wide unnamed arch.
Very cool, wide unnamed arch.
Trough Peak seen through the arch.
Trough Peak seen through the arch.

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