Peanut, Butter, Jelly, Sandwich Peaks in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, AZ

Hike Peanut, Butter, Jelly, Sandwich Peaks Lake Mead National Recreation Area, AZ

Class 2 7.4 miles 2200 gain 3-5 hrs Loop Jan 17, 2022
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Peanut, Butter, Jelly, Sandwich Peaks GPX Track

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This nice loop visits some lumpy peaks to the south of popular Arizona Hot Springs, a more tame outing compared with the more dangerous summits in this vicinity like Fortress Peak. It's a seldom-visited area, but has some great views of the Black Canyon. Peanut Peak is the only true "peak", but it seems locals like to group it with other bumps along the ridgeline. Each of the four bumps have been dubbed names that slowly complete the full "Peanut Butter Jelly Sandwich". It's cute and despite a couple of the peaks being nothing more than tuny nubbins, I like cute shit and so I added the bumps onto my attached map.

Austin and I parked just off Black Joe Mine Road and walked beneath an overpass on AZ-93. From here we descended a wash for a half mile or so before continuing south toward Peanut Peak. There are a few little arroyos around here that we had to drop in an out of before making it to the base of the northern ridge of Peanut Peak. The ridgeline is steep, but barely even has any Class 2 stuff. Peanut Peak was prettier than I thought it would be. We continued along the ridgeline, quickly passing over Butter Peak (literally just a hump), and descended the rocky ridge toward Jelly Peak. There was some Class 2 on the way up Jelly Peak, and the slope on the peak's north side we used to descend was Class 2 and a bit loose.

More ridgeline traversing led us along an animal trail toward Sandwich Peak. We reached the eastern saddle of Sandwhich Peak, where a bit of fun Class 2 led to the mesatop above. Easy walking led to the high point, were we got excellent views to the north, and we could see a bunch of the other little Lake Mead Black Canyon Wilderness peaks that are so, so lovely. We backtracked from Sandwich Peak, deciding the best way back would be to continue halfway to Jelly Peak and descend to the north and back into the wash we hiked in on. The ridge to get down was steep Class 2. There might have been a more pleasant way down, but this felt the most intuitive at the time when we were up above. Once back in the wash, it was a couple miles back through this wash to get to the car.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Peanut Peak
2503 ft
343 rise
2
Butter Peak
2445 ft
15 rise
3
Jelly Peak
2232 ft
160 rise
4
Sandwich Peak
2040 ft
240 rise

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Starting from Black Joe Mine Road, we headed through this underpass. Peanut Peak visible center.
Starting from Black Joe Mine Road, we headed through this underpass. Peanut Peak visible center.
Within a wash, descending until we found a good spot to start up Peanut Peak, seen center.
Within a wash, descending until we found a good spot to start up Peanut Peak, seen center.
Looking back at the wash as we start up Peanut Peak. There were a few little arroyos we had to navigate below.
Looking back at the wash as we start up Peanut Peak. There were a few little arroyos we had to navigate below.
Peanut Peak ahead.
Peanut Peak ahead.
Ridgeline leading to the summit.
Ridgeline leading to the summit.
Another shot back. Mount Wilson visible in the distance.
Another shot back. Mount Wilson visible in the distance.
Peanut Peak summit, view toward Jelly Peak and Sandwich Peak, both center. Butter Peak is out of frame on the left. It's just a minor bump that probably shouldn't have a name.
Peanut Peak summit, view toward Jelly Peak and Sandwich Peak, both center. Butter Peak is out of frame on the left. It's just a minor bump that probably shouldn't have a name.
On the way to Jelly Peak.
On the way to Jelly Peak.
View back toward Peanut and Butter Peaks as we head up some Class 2 up to Jelly Peak.
View back toward Peanut and Butter Peaks as we head up some Class 2 up to Jelly Peak.
Jelly Peak, view toward the ridgeline leading to Sandwich Peak (seen on the left).
Jelly Peak, view toward the ridgeline leading to Sandwich Peak (seen on the left).
Image 10 from gallery
Jelly Peak, view southwest.
Jelly Peak, view southwest.
Onward to Sandwich Peak, the mesa in the center.
Onward to Sandwich Peak, the mesa in the center.
Along the ridgeline down to the eastern saddle of Sandwich Peak. Class 2 section seen ahead.
Along the ridgeline down to the eastern saddle of Sandwich Peak. Class 2 section seen ahead.
A view north from the eastern saddle toward Fortress Peak.
A view north from the eastern saddle toward Fortress Peak.
View back as we finish some Class 2 to get to the meastop.
View back as we finish some Class 2 to get to the meastop.
Easy walking along the mesatop to Sandwich Peak.
Easy walking along the mesatop to Sandwich Peak.
Sandwich Peak summit, view northwest into the Black Canyon.
Sandwich Peak summit, view northwest into the Black Canyon.
We backtracked to find a way down. This is a view north toward Fortress Peak and White Rock Canyon Peak. You can also see the bridge over the Hoover Dam top right.
We backtracked to find a way down. This is a view north toward Fortress Peak and White Rock Canyon Peak. You can also see the bridge over the Hoover Dam top right.
Class 2 descent back into the wash we came in on. The car is in the distance on the top right in this photo.
Class 2 descent back into the wash we came in on. The car is in the distance on the top right in this photo.

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!