Red Mountain in Coconino National Forest, AZ

Hike Red Mountain Coconino National Forest, AZ

Class 2 3.9 miles 1400 gain 2-4 hrs Loop Jun 3, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Red Mountain GPX Track

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Red Mountain is a cinder cone with an interesting eroded east face. A popular trail leads to this eroded aea, where hoodoos form gorgeous shapes. The trail leads to a very shallow slot canyon with a small chamber, and most people turn back here.

I wasn't sure of the best route, but a text to my local friend Matt told me heading up the "middle" ridge of Red Mountain would add some scrambly bits to the ascent, while the south ridge would be a good descent route on easy terrain. So, from the base of the eroded feature, I headed south on what appeared to be a fairly well-traveled social trail up the dark-colored slope. This slope got steeper and eventually a little unpleasant as I ascended to the middle ridge, but the views toward the eroded Red Mountain were definitely getting better higher up. I followed the middle ridge west, passing some interesting stubby hoodoos and encountered some steep Class 2+ to get out of the steep and eroded territory and onto dirt. A pleasant dirt slope continued to the summit.

For the descent from Red Mountian, I headed down the wider southern ridge. It was also quite steep and wouldn't have been particularly fun to ascend, so I was happy I went up the middle ridge. The trees were far enough apart that I can't call this a bushwhack, though I did have to do some zig-zagging farther down to pick the path of least resistance.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Red Mountain
7965 ft
1005 rise

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Along the Red Mountain Trail view toward the eroded hoodoos on the peak's east face.
Along the Red Mountain Trail view toward the eroded hoodoos on the peak's east face.
The trail nears the hoodoos.
The trail nears the hoodoos.
A ladder to get over an old wall.
A ladder to get over an old wall.
At the base of the hoodoos.
At the base of the hoodoos.
The trail leads into a narrow slot.
The trail leads into a narrow slot.
A stiff move leads up the slot.
A stiff move leads up the slot.
End of the short slot, in a nice cozy chamber.
End of the short slot, in a nice cozy chamber.
Just out of the slot, I located this sort of social trail leading up to the middle ridge on Red Mountain's east face. I'd recommend maybe doing a less direct ascent - it's steep and unpleasant.
Just out of the slot, I located this sort of social trail leading up to the middle ridge on Red Mountain's east face. I'd recommend maybe doing a less direct ascent - it's steep and unpleasant.
Looking down into the hoodoos.
Looking down into the hoodoos.
Close-up into the hoodoos.
Close-up into the hoodoos.
Steep Class 2 cinder.
Steep Class 2 cinder.
On the middle ridge's crest, view toward Red Mountain.
On the middle ridge's crest, view toward Red Mountain.
View toward Humphreys Peak.
View toward Humphreys Peak.
Approaching the end of the cinder before starting amongst the eroded stubby hoodoos. It's steeper than it looks here, but the route leads to the center of this photo and up into the trees.
Approaching the end of the cinder before starting amongst the eroded stubby hoodoos. It's steeper than it looks here, but the route leads to the center of this photo and up into the trees.
Close-up into the hoodoos again. They were quite cool.
Close-up into the hoodoos again. They were quite cool.
Looking back from amongst the stubby hoodoos.
Looking back from amongst the stubby hoodoos.
Steep Class 2+ to the trees above.
Steep Class 2+ to the trees above.
Above the eroded stuff on easier terrain to the summit of Red Mountain.
Above the eroded stuff on easier terrain to the summit of Red Mountain.
Another shot toward Humpreys Peak as I approach the summit.
Another shot toward Humpreys Peak as I approach the summit.
Red Mountain summit area.
Red Mountain summit area.
Heading down the southern ridge on the east face.
Heading down the southern ridge on the east face.
Image 21 from gallery
Looking back up at Red Mountain.
Looking back up at Red Mountain.
Easy hiking down. The trees get a bit thicker than this toward the bottom, but not by much.
Easy hiking down. The trees get a bit thicker than this toward the bottom, but not by much.
Looking back toward Red Mountain on my way back to the car.
Looking back toward Red Mountain on my way back to the car.

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!