Pastora Peak in Navajo Nation, AZ

Hike Pastora Peak Navajo Nation, AZ

Class 2 13.1 miles 2200 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back Jun 2, 2022
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Pastora Peak is the highest point of the Carrizo Mountains, located on Navajo Nation lands in northeastern Arizona, but it doesn't seem to be an area that requires a permit to hike. I called many agencies within the Navajo Nation and nobody seemed to have an answer. I didn't have any issues on my hike, but you may want to put more effort into obtaining a permit than I did for this hike just in case. With a good enough vehicle, you could drive nearly to the summit. However, with all the driving I've been doing during this trip, I wanted to get some exercise so I parked just before the first major impasse without even attempting it with my car. The result was a significant road walk. To reach where I parked, head south here (36.92680, -109.18543) and follow the initially excellent road. As it heads into the foothills, the road gets a bit more rutted and once it starts hugging a cliff face I'd say a Subaru may start to struggle. There were long spurts of good sections, but I stopped where I did when the road became extremely steep and rocky for a short section.

Low trees obscured the majority of the views initially, but they improved at around 8500' when the pleasant hills of the Carizzo Mountains came into view to the northeast. Shortly after the trees faded away and I was walking on the now relatively flat road with open meadows in all directions. It was actually really pretty, and despite the otherwise boring vibes of the hike I found myself enjoying being out here in this weird and remote area. A couple miles of walking through this pleasant landscape also meant I got to see over 20 horses, arranged in small clusters. One had a baby, and when I got within 500 feet it started to approach me, startling me and prompting a detour from the road. Apparently horses are friendly, but this one seemed aggressive. I was a little on edge for the duration of the hike.

The road wrapped around a drainage and ascended to about 9000', a small hump along the way. Pastora Peak came into view just to the east, separated by a minor dip in the road. Once at the base of the peak, I left the road and ascended for about 400 vertical feet on steep, but relatively easy terrain. The last hundred feet or so had some brush, but it wasn't bad at all. There were nice views toward Roof Butte to the southeast, but for the most part trees made for less than ideal visual conditions. I returned the way I came, happy the hike was prettier than anticipated.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Pastora Peak
9407 ft
2687 rise

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View from my parking spot toward a significant steep section I chose not to drive.
View from my parking spot toward a significant steep section I chose not to drive.
View back as I make my way up some road switchbacks.
View back as I make my way up some road switchbacks.
Brushy terrain meant for limited views, initially.
Brushy terrain meant for limited views, initially.
Progress on foot along the road to Pastora Peak.
Progress on foot along the road to Pastora Peak.
Looking back, some nice hills coming into view.
Looking back, some nice hills coming into view.
A view northeast.
A view northeast.
Image 6 from gallery
Image 7 from gallery
View southwest.
View southwest.
Nearing the start of the more open portion of the hike.
Nearing the start of the more open portion of the hike.
Image 10 from gallery
View north, looking back.
View north, looking back.
Emerging from the brushier landscape and into the meadows.
Emerging from the brushier landscape and into the meadows.
I was surprised at how pretty it was, expecting the hike to be a road walk letdown.
I was surprised at how pretty it was, expecting the hike to be a road walk letdown.
View back after entering the meadows.
View back after entering the meadows.
Another shot back through the meadows.
Another shot back through the meadows.
Continuing southeast along the road.
Continuing southeast along the road.
Just off the road, a little watercourse. I only saw this because I was detouring to get away from an aggressive horse.
Just off the road, a little watercourse. I only saw this because I was detouring to get away from an aggressive horse.
Image 18 from gallery
View back again at the full meadow.
View back again at the full meadow.
Slowly ascending out of the meadow.
Slowly ascending out of the meadow.
Image 21 from gallery
View back as I enter the trees again.
View back as I enter the trees again.
The road wraps around a drainage and ascends slowly to a false summit.
The road wraps around a drainage and ascends slowly to a false summit.
Image 24 from gallery
False summit, Pastora Peak seen poking out ahead.
False summit, Pastora Peak seen poking out ahead.
Approaching Pastora Peak.
Approaching Pastora Peak.
At the base of Pastora Peak, where I left the road and started ascending.
At the base of Pastora Peak, where I left the road and started ascending.
Very light Class 2.
Very light Class 2.
View back toward the road as I make my way up Pastora Peak's final ascent slope.
View back toward the road as I make my way up Pastora Peak's final ascent slope.
Pastora Peak summit.
Pastora Peak summit.
Pastora Peak summit, view southeast.
Pastora Peak summit, view southeast.
Pastora Peak summit, view southwest.
Pastora Peak summit, view southwest.

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!