Polaris Mountain and Hoodoo Peak Loop in Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, AZ

Hike Polaris Mountain and Hoodoo Peak Loop Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, AZ

Class 3 9.2 miles 4800 gain 6-8 hrs Loop Jan 29, 2022
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Polaris Mountain is a peak deep in the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. There's apparently a mining trail on the south side of Polaris Mountain that leads halfway up the peak, but we wanted to loop in a few more peaks and using this trail wouldn't have been convenient for our plan. This hike had consistently really colorful views and interesting rock formations. The loop ended up being less contrived than I thought it might be, and made for a nice day out in this remote area. I'll note that we also attempted Peak 2820 and Peak 3540 (a couple of awesome-looking peaks to the west and southwest of our loop), but failed both because they were likely Class 5. I reference them in my trip report, so I thought it useful to mention them now.

Drive along King Road and head north here (33.17939, -114.02172). The road is almost all excellent graded dirt. Turn left here (33.26841, -113.98293) onto a much less good road where high clearance is required. This side road leads to the base of Polaris Mountain.

From the road, we dropped east into a wash and headed north until we spotted the most straightforward-looking slope we could use to access Polaris Mountain. It was steep with some light scrambling. We reached a flatter section about halfway up before a short spurt of Class 2 scree sliding took us up to a bunch of steep, cactusy Class 2. The last few hundred feet of the climb were a bit obnoxious due to the steepness and ever-present cholla, but we got to the summit mostly unscathed.

The ridgeline headed north, dropping steeply on more Class 2 off Polaris Mountain. It was a bit slow-moving due to the poor quality of the terrain. There are two humps that separated Polaris Mountain from our next real objective, Peak 3639. These two humps can be bypassed, but we decided to go for them. The first was a formation coined Polaris Pinnacle, a short Class 4 endeavor on its southwest side. It's not tall enough to even be a peak and I didn't want to risk the danger to get this insignificant pinnacle, but Matt scurried up. Next was another hump we called Constellation Point, a pleasant Class 3 jaunt on its south side, followed by a steep Class 2 descent on its north side.

Peak 3639 was next. It has a formidable cliff that wraps around all but the peak's north face. We wasted a bit of time scouting around the southern and eastern faces before eventually making it around to the north side. I removed this jitter from my map. To get up the north side, we wrapped around the base of the cliffs until a somewhat brushy Class 2 slope took us to a fun Class 3 chute, and then ultimately a Class 2 short ridge scramble to the summit. The views back toward Polaris Mountain were delightful from here.

We dropped to the saddle, then ascended Hoodoo Peak's southeastern ridge. This ridge went at Class 2, and was overall quite nice. The spine had mostly solid rock and the views became progressively more lovely. At the summit we could see Squaw Peak, Old Smokey, and Signal Peak. Onward along the ridgeline we went, now heading west. There were a couple of easy humps along this really pretty ridgeline, and soon we made it to a substantial cliff. We could clearly see our next peak, Peak 3480, just to the west, but there was a big wash and lots of vertical loss and regain separating us from our objective. We decided that while we could descend on horribly steep and loose terrain, we'd prefer to just follow the ridgeline north and circle back to get up to Peak 3480 from its northern side instead. While a bit longer, this ended up being a really scenic choice and we were happy with the decision. Along the way, we side-hilled around a large hump using a poor animal trail that might have been better if we had just gone up and over. We navigated colorful gullies (Class 2) and were soon at the northern base of Peak 3480. Class 2 brought us to its summit, where we got the most impressive views of the day. Stunning hoodoos to the east, Squaw Peak to the north, and the jagged Peak 3540 to the west were all stunning.

We backtracked off Peak 3480 and entered a west-draining wash using an animal trail. Eventually the animal trail was more work than just dropping into the watercourse and boulder-hopping. This led to a major wash that continued south and eventually back to the car. Though this is a bit of a lie. I mapped out what the recommended route should be back through this wash in order to complete the loop, but Matt and I had our minds set on going for Peak 2820 and Peak 3540, and so we did. We circled both peaks in their entirety and had no luck in finding a route up either. We believe the only way would be as technical rock climbs. I've included some photos of these at the end of the trip report for reference.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Polaris Mountain
3624 ft
504 rise
2
Polaris Pinnacle
3260 ft
120 rise
3
Constellation Point
3285 ft
160 rise
4
Peak 3639
3639 ft
599 rise
5
Hoodoo Peak
3627 ft
427 rise
6
Peak 3480
3480 ft
320 rise

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From our parking spot, Polaris Mountain visible right and Peak 3480 (our last peak of the loop) visible left. There's a cool tower left of center that looks impossible. We dropped into the wash on the right.
From our parking spot, Polaris Mountain visible right and Peak 3480 (our last peak of the loop) visible left. There's a cool tower left of center that looks impossible. We dropped into the wash on the right.
Within the wash, headed to the base of Polaris Mountain.
Within the wash, headed to the base of Polaris Mountain.
Starting up Polaris Mountain.
Starting up Polaris Mountain.
View back. You can see Peak 2820 left of center, an impressive tower that we couldn't find a way up. Our cars are far left in this photo hidden behind a lump.
View back. You can see Peak 2820 left of center, an impressive tower that we couldn't find a way up. Our cars are far left in this photo hidden behind a lump.
Onward up Polaris Mountain. You can see an annoying short section of scree ahead.
Onward up Polaris Mountain. You can see an annoying short section of scree ahead.
Up the scree.
Up the scree.
Past the scree, now on loose cactusy Class 2.
Past the scree, now on loose cactusy Class 2.
Class 2 to the summit.
Class 2 to the summit.
Almost at Polaris Mountain.
Almost at Polaris Mountain.
Polaris Mountain, view back the way we came. Peak 3480 visible far right. Squaw and Signal are seen distant top right.
Polaris Mountain, view back the way we came. Peak 3480 visible far right. Squaw and Signal are seen distant top right.
Polaris Mountain, view southeast toward Kofa Butte, center.
Polaris Mountain, view southeast toward Kofa Butte, center.
Onward along the ridgeline. You can see Peak 3639 top right, our next major objective.
Onward along the ridgeline. You can see Peak 3639 top right, our next major objective.
View back at the descent from Polaris Mountain, steep Class 2.
View back at the descent from Polaris Mountain, steep Class 2.
Polaris Pinnacle seen left of center, Constellation Point right of center, and Peak 3639 top right.
Polaris Pinnacle seen left of center, Constellation Point right of center, and Peak 3639 top right.
Along the ridgeline, headed toward Peak 3639.
Along the ridgeline, headed toward Peak 3639.
View back toward Polaris Mountain.
View back toward Polaris Mountain.
Matt pulling the Class 4 move up Polaris Pinnacle. I opted to not get this little pinnacle.
Matt pulling the Class 4 move up Polaris Pinnacle. I opted to not get this little pinnacle.
Constellation Point ahead.
Constellation Point ahead.
Wide shot looking back on our way up Constellation Point.
Wide shot looking back on our way up Constellation Point.
View back toward Polaris Mountain and Polaris Pinnacle.
View back toward Polaris Mountain and Polaris Pinnacle.
Looking down at the short Class 3 bit up the south side of Constellation Point.
Looking down at the short Class 3 bit up the south side of Constellation Point.
Matt about to reach the summit of Constellation Point, right. Peak 3639 visible top left.
Matt about to reach the summit of Constellation Point, right. Peak 3639 visible top left.
Onward to Peak 3639, view back toward Constellation Point. We wrapped around to the north side of Peak 3639.
Onward to Peak 3639, view back toward Constellation Point. We wrapped around to the north side of Peak 3639.
Class 2 slope on the north side of Peak 3639.
Class 2 slope on the north side of Peak 3639.
View back at a fun Class 3 section on the way up Peak 3639.
View back at a fun Class 3 section on the way up Peak 3639.
Close-up at the final move to gain the summit ridge.
Close-up at the final move to gain the summit ridge.
Peak 3639 summit, view back. Polaris Mountain top left, Hoodoo Peak out of frame on the top right, Peak 3480 center somewhere.
Peak 3639 summit, view back. Polaris Mountain top left, Hoodoo Peak out of frame on the top right, Peak 3480 center somewhere.
Close-up toward Kofa Butte.
Close-up toward Kofa Butte.
We dropped off Peak 3639, seen left. Now heading up to Hoodoo Peak.
We dropped off Peak 3639, seen left. Now heading up to Hoodoo Peak.
Close-up back toward Peak 3639. You can see the weakness we went up on the north (left) side.
Close-up back toward Peak 3639. You can see the weakness we went up on the north (left) side.
Starting up the southeast ridge of Hoodoo Peak.
Starting up the southeast ridge of Hoodoo Peak.
Class 2 up to Hoodoo Peak.
Class 2 up to Hoodoo Peak.
View back toward Peak 3639 (left) and Polaris Mountain (right).
View back toward Peak 3639 (left) and Polaris Mountain (right).
Final bit to Hoodoo Peak.
Final bit to Hoodoo Peak.
Hoodoo Peak, view toward Squaw Peak (right). You can see the crazy jagged features of Peak 3540 in the center.
Hoodoo Peak, view toward Squaw Peak (right). You can see the crazy jagged features of Peak 3540 in the center.
Onward along the ridgeline. There were some humps along the way.
Onward along the ridgeline. There were some humps along the way.
View back toward Hoodoo Peak and Peak 3639 as we wander along the ridge.
View back toward Hoodoo Peak and Peak 3639 as we wander along the ridge.
A big drop between us and Peak 3480, seen center. We decided to wrap around and get to the peak via the saddle you can see right of center in this photo.
A big drop between us and Peak 3480, seen center. We decided to wrap around and get to the peak via the saddle you can see right of center in this photo.
Polaris and Peak 3639. Kofa Butte distant center.
Polaris and Peak 3639. Kofa Butte distant center.
Along the ridgeline.
Along the ridgeline.
A bump ahead we decided to side-hill around via poor animal trail. It might have been better to just go up and over.
A bump ahead we decided to side-hill around via poor animal trail. It might have been better to just go up and over.
View back. Polaris Mountain poking out in the center.
View back. Polaris Mountain poking out in the center.
Side-hilling around the lump. Squaw Peak seen in the distance.
Side-hilling around the lump. Squaw Peak seen in the distance.
Very scenic area.
Very scenic area.
Close-up toward Squaw Peak.
Close-up toward Squaw Peak.
We dropped into a gully here and re-ascended on the opposite side, then navigated a couple of little ribs to get to the saddle on the north side of Peak 3480.
We dropped into a gully here and re-ascended on the opposite side, then navigated a couple of little ribs to get to the saddle on the north side of Peak 3480.
View back the way we came.
View back the way we came.
A close-up toward the jagged and beautiful Peak 3540, which we failed to find a route up to. In the center you can see the drainage we descended after getting Peak 3480.
A close-up toward the jagged and beautiful Peak 3540, which we failed to find a route up to. In the center you can see the drainage we descended after getting Peak 3480.
Down to the saddle on the north side of Peak 3480. Summit is somewhere top center.
Down to the saddle on the north side of Peak 3480. Summit is somewhere top center.
Class 2/3 section on our way up Peak 3480. The saddle we came up from is visible top center.
Class 2/3 section on our way up Peak 3480. The saddle we came up from is visible top center.
Easy terrain to the summit.
Easy terrain to the summit.
View back as we head up to Peak 3480.
View back as we head up to Peak 3480.
Gorgeous scenery near the summit of Peak 3480.
Gorgeous scenery near the summit of Peak 3480.
Peak 3480 summit, view northwest. Peak 3540 left, Squaw Peak distant top.
Peak 3480 summit, view northwest. Peak 3540 left, Squaw Peak distant top.
Peak 3480 summit, view east. Polaris Mountain right, Peak 3639 center, Hoodoo Peak left.
Peak 3480 summit, view east. Polaris Mountain right, Peak 3639 center, Hoodoo Peak left.
Peak 3480 summit, view south toward where our cars are parked. At the bottom of this photo you can see super cool adorable hoodoo.
Peak 3480 summit, view south toward where our cars are parked. At the bottom of this photo you can see super cool adorable hoodoo.
Descending the drainage. Peak 3540's jagged ridgeline visible ahead.
Descending the drainage. Peak 3540's jagged ridgeline visible ahead.
We descended the drainage with some rock-hopping and made it to the major wash below, which led us south and back to the car.
We descended the drainage with some rock-hopping and made it to the major wash below, which led us south and back to the car.
Recon mission: A shot of Peak 2820 from the east.
Recon mission: A shot of Peak 2820 from the east.
Recon mission: A shot of Peak 2820 from its lower western summit.
Recon mission: A shot of Peak 2820 from its lower western summit.
Recon mission: A shot of Peak 2820 from the west.
Recon mission: A shot of Peak 2820 from the west.

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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!