Secret Pass Breakfast Peaks in Mount Nutt Wilderness BLM, AZ

Hike Secret Pass Breakfast Peaks Mount Nutt Wilderness BLM, AZ

Class 3 9.3 miles 3900 gain 7-10 hrs Out + Back Jan 17, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Desert routefinding adventures don't get better than this. After hiking Mount Nutt a couple of years ago, I became really interested in these funky-looking peaks to the north. They seemed to get almost no attention, but are visible from Bullhead City and have pretty easy access. My initial thought was that the peaks would either be impossible or just kind of boring. Why else would so few come out here? I really wasn't expecting them to shape one of my favorite desert peakbagging days to date. I recruited Matt and Luke for some exploration of the area with the preface that "they look cool, but might not be". The peaks we did are obscure and offer no list goals for peakbaggers, and are off-route and uncharted for a hiker trying to enjoy the landscape, so I don't really know what kind of audience would enjoy this route. But we sure did. Despite the summit registers reading a few ascents, we didn't feel too badly about naming the peaks ourselves rather than using their elevation for naming, because that's boring. We decided the proximity to the tiny town of Oatman, AZ as well as the peaks being located in the Mount Nutt Wilderness could serve as enough reason to name the peaks based on a breakfast theme. Sue us.

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. I believe the route from Secret Pass is fairly well-known to ATVers. Once past Secret Pass, the road becomes steep and I recommend 4WD. We continued to the end of the road (trailhead listed above). Google displays more roads stretching south, but they're not roads in any way.

From the trailhead, we hiked south along an awful dirt road, leaving it shortly after and ascending the slopes toward the east face of Steel-cut Peak. The slopes grew steeper and introduced a lot of Class 2 talus/scree leading up to the peak's base. We explored a few Class 5 chimneys and decided we needed to locate a different route, ultimately locating a Class 2 bouldery gully on the peak's northeast side. The gully led a few hundred feet up the peak to a notch. We passed over the notch and ascended Class 3 terrain to the east ridge. A very pretty, though treacherous, ridge comprised of blocky rock that was unstable at best offered some Class 3 to the summit. It was by no means hard, but definitely dangerous. We could see Steel-cut Peak from Bullhead City the day before, a pointy and intimidating-looking summit when viewed from the city. It was nice to be up here looking back.

We headed down Steel-cut Peak the way we came and wrapped along its northern base, then working east and down the slopes on our way to Honey Nutt Peak. A drainage separated the peaks (the same drainage we'd be descending on the way back later). A steep slope led out of the drainage and up to a nice break in the cliffs where a Class 2/3 slab led us beneath a false summit of Honey Nutt Peak. Fortunately this wasn't the high point because we agreed it was a sheer face on all sides. Honey Nutt Peak was just to the east and seemed equally as impossible from this angle, but we wrapped around its south side to try to locate a viable route, gorgeous views in every direction. We continued all the way to the northeast side of the peak, where a fun Class 2/3 section on solid rock led to a Class 3 short knife edge to the summit. We were thrilled and surprised we were  2 for 2 on peaks so far for the day.

After backtracking, we took some time debating heading into the badlands to the south to explore the interesting-looking hoodoos and to attempt Peak 3680. We decided against it, mostly because Peak 3680 looked impossible. 2024 UPDATE: We managed to find a route up Peak 3680 (which we named Pecan Peak)! Instead, we continued west along the ridge to see if we could make it over to Sunny Side Peak. Along the way was Peak 4060, an intimidating fortress. We attempted a gully up Peak 4060, but determined there was no way it would go. We continued west along Peak 4060's northern cliff base, the options becoming less and less viable the farther we went. We determined we couldn't get this peak, so we set our sights toward Sunny Side Peak. The route to get there would lead along a heavily-eroded ridge that made us confident there would be no way across. It just looked like a jumble maze of bad rock. We decided to give it a go anyway. I can't imagine there's any other way along this ridge to Sunny Side Peak than what we found, and I'll try to describe it. We attempted every angle, splitting up to locate a reasonable option each step of the way. Class 5 options exist, but we managed to keep the route Class 3. Once past the northern base of Peak 4060, we descended on a sheep trail to the ridge, keeping left to avoid the initial onslaught of rock hoodoos. At the first grassy slope that appeared, we entered the hoodoos and pulled a Class 2+ move and then another,  working over the humps between the rock formations, still on the left side of the ridge crest. We were forced to the crest at a certain point, where we encountered an impassable section. With some combined energy, we located a nice Class 3 ramp on the right (north). A short section of easier terrain brought us to a narrow portion where some solid-rock Class 3 brought us to an overhanging "cave". Just past this overhang, we kept to the left of significant cliffs through some tall grass and located a Class 2/3 narrow drainage on the right. This led back to the ridge and to easy ground. After some nice grassy strolling, we found ourselves below the cliff band surrounding Sunny Side Peak's east face. We wrapped beneath the cliff band until a Class 3 option brought us to higher ground. The going was easy from here, and really the appeal of Sunny Side Peak was the ridge to get there, not the peak itself.

We retraced our steps along the ridge from Sunny Side Peak and dropped into the major drainage that would lead us back to the trailhead. Once at the trailhead, we had some snacks and followed the road north on foot on our way to Secret Pass Peak, not ready to call it a day just yet. We named it this based on its proximity to Secret Pass, of course. A minor saddle on the peak's east side was our first destination, no possibilites for ascending visible on the south face. Just past the minor saddle was a Class 2 somewhat brushy drainage that led us significantly up Secret Pass Peak. A bunch of potential options greeted us at the top of this drainage, but we settled on the easiest-looking one, the leftmost option that hugs the cliff wall. At the top of this Class 3 scramble, we crawled over a notch and found ourselves on the south face of the peak. A Class 3 wrap-around led to more fun Class 3, all solid rock. We found ourselves on easy terrain beneath the summit block, which we approached from the southwest. Class 2 led to the summit. We enjoyed the sunset for a while and I couldn't be more thrilled with how the day turned out.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Steel-cut Peak
4406 ft
747 rise
2
Honey Nutt Peak
4140 ft
440 rise
3
Sunny Side Peak
4024 ft
364 rise
4
Secret Pass Peak
4007 ft
587 rise

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From the trailhead along a degraded road. Steel-cut Peak visible top right. We ascended the slopes to get to its base.
From the trailhead along a degraded road. Steel-cut Peak visible top right. We ascended the slopes to get to its base.
Looking back, Secret Pass Peak visible center (our last one of the day).
Looking back, Secret Pass Peak visible center (our last one of the day).
Heading up the slopes to Steel-cut Peak.
Heading up the slopes to Steel-cut Peak.
Class 2 to Steel-cut Peak's base. We tried the chimneys visible ahead, all were scary. We wrapped around on the right to locate a gully instead.
Class 2 to Steel-cut Peak's base. We tried the chimneys visible ahead, all were scary. We wrapped around on the right to locate a gully instead.
Class 2 gully up Steel-cut Peak. At the top on the left is a notch we went through.
Class 2 gully up Steel-cut Peak. At the top on the left is a notch we went through.
Looking back down the Class 2 gully just below the notch.
Looking back down the Class 2 gully just below the notch.
Notch we passed through just behind Matt on the left.
Notch we passed through just behind Matt on the left.
Class 3 past the notch.
Class 3 past the notch.
Looking back down toward the notch.
Looking back down toward the notch.
We emerged onto the ridgeline. Scary-looking.
We emerged onto the ridgeline. Scary-looking.
View back toward Matt.
View back toward Matt.
Crux along the ridge.
Crux along the ridge.
Steel-cut Peak summit, view toward Secret Pass Peak (right of center). The cars are on the right somewhere.
Steel-cut Peak summit, view toward Secret Pass Peak (right of center). The cars are on the right somewhere.
View toward Mount Nutt (top right).
View toward Mount Nutt (top right).
Sunny Side Peak far right, its crazy hoodoo-ridgeline we'd be doing later visible center, and Peak 4060 (which we failed) far left.
Sunny Side Peak far right, its crazy hoodoo-ridgeline we'd be doing later visible center, and Peak 4060 (which we failed) far left.
After getting down from Steel-cut Peak, now heading east toward the drainage separating us from Honey Nutt Peak, seen center (well, that's the false summit).
After getting down from Steel-cut Peak, now heading east toward the drainage separating us from Honey Nutt Peak, seen center (well, that's the false summit).
Just past the drainage, view back the way we came.
Just past the drainage, view back the way we came.
Class 3 break in the cliffs.
Class 3 break in the cliffs.
View back as we get up through the break in the cliffs. Peak 4060 (we failed it) visible on the left.
View back as we get up through the break in the cliffs. Peak 4060 (we failed it) visible on the left.
Really pretty section as we continue toward Honey Nutt Peak.
Really pretty section as we continue toward Honey Nutt Peak.
Honey Nutt Peak ahead. We would wrap around it on the right and get to its northeast side.
Honey Nutt Peak ahead. We would wrap around it on the right and get to its northeast side.
View back as we ascend to Honey Nutt Peak.
View back as we ascend to Honey Nutt Peak.
Wrapping around the south side of Honey Nutt Peak.
Wrapping around the south side of Honey Nutt Peak.
Image 23 from gallery
View back along the east side of Honey Nutt Peak.
View back along the east side of Honey Nutt Peak.
Class 3 on the northeast side.
Class 3 on the northeast side.
Looking down the fun Class 3.
Looking down the fun Class 3.
Class 3 up Honey Nutt Peak. We came up from the center in this photo.
Class 3 up Honey Nutt Peak. We came up from the center in this photo.
Knife-edge to the summit of Honey Nutt Peak.
Knife-edge to the summit of Honey Nutt Peak.
Summit of Honey Nutt Peak. You can see Matt heading over to an equally-tall summit. The summit register is where I was standing, so I assume this one is maybe ever-so-slightly taller. You can see Sunny Side Peak top right, and Peak 4060 just in front of it. Our route would soon wrap around Peak 4060 on the very far right of this photo.
Summit of Honey Nutt Peak. You can see Matt heading over to an equally-tall summit. The summit register is where I was standing, so I assume this one is maybe ever-so-slightly taller. You can see Sunny Side Peak top right, and Peak 4060 just in front of it. Our route would soon wrap around Peak 4060 on the very far right of this photo.
After coming down from Honey Nutt Peak, we approached Peak 4060 ahead, keeping right on animal trails.
After coming down from Honey Nutt Peak, we approached Peak 4060 ahead, keeping right on animal trails.
Nice shot of some crazy rock formations along the way.
Nice shot of some crazy rock formations along the way.
Looking back toward Honey Nutt Peak's false tower.
Looking back toward Honey Nutt Peak's false tower.
Just past Peak 4060, a view at the eroded hoodoo-filled ridgeline to Sunny Side Peak, seen ahead. You can see Matt at the bottom for perspective. It looks insane and not possible from here.
Just past Peak 4060, a view at the eroded hoodoo-filled ridgeline to Sunny Side Peak, seen ahead. You can see Matt at the bottom for perspective. It looks insane and not possible from here.
Looking back at the beginning of the traverse of the eroded ridge toward Peak 4060 (which we failed). We stayed on the south side of the eroded crest initially.
Looking back at the beginning of the traverse of the eroded ridge toward Peak 4060 (which we failed). We stayed on the south side of the eroded crest initially.
After being forced up to the ridge and getting cliffed off, we located this Class 3 ramp to get to the north side of the ridge.
After being forced up to the ridge and getting cliffed off, we located this Class 3 ramp to get to the north side of the ridge.
A narrow section along the eroded ridge, Class 3. The route led to the overhanging "cave" in the center.
A narrow section along the eroded ridge, Class 3. The route led to the overhanging "cave" in the center.
Approaching another Class 3 move to get into the "cave".
Approaching another Class 3 move to get into the "cave".
Within the "cave", view toward Mount Nutt to the south. Peak 3680 seen right of center, the lumpy mess that we decided to skip today.
Within the "cave", view toward Mount Nutt to the south. Peak 3680 seen right of center, the lumpy mess that we decided to skip today.
Just past the overhang, we headed down this grassy stuff to avoid nutty-looking cliffs on the right.
Just past the overhang, we headed down this grassy stuff to avoid nutty-looking cliffs on the right.
We located this drainage and headed up.
We located this drainage and headed up.
Looking back down the Class 2/3 drainage.
Looking back down the Class 2/3 drainage.
Just past the drainage we were on solid ground. Somehow the ridge went!
Just past the drainage we were on solid ground. Somehow the ridge went!
Approaching the cliff bands surrounding Sunny Side Peak's east face. We located a Class 3 easy move to get up and over it.
Approaching the cliff bands surrounding Sunny Side Peak's east face. We located a Class 3 easy move to get up and over it.
Sunny Side Peak ahead on the left.
Sunny Side Peak ahead on the left.
Looking back as we ascend to Sunny Side Peak, Steel-cut Peak visible on the left.
Looking back as we ascend to Sunny Side Peak, Steel-cut Peak visible on the left.
View of Mount Nutt (right) from Sunny Side Peak.
View of Mount Nutt (right) from Sunny Side Peak.
After returning from Sunny Side Peak, we dropped into the drainage separating Steel-cut Peak and Honey Nutt Peak and followed it to the trailhead.
After returning from Sunny Side Peak, we dropped into the drainage separating Steel-cut Peak and Honey Nutt Peak and followed it to the trailhead.
Cool rock formations as we descend. Honey Nutt Peak's false tower visible top left.
Cool rock formations as we descend. Honey Nutt Peak's false tower visible top left.
Secret Pass Peak visible ahead (center). We ascended to the right of it.
Secret Pass Peak visible ahead (center). We ascended to the right of it.
Looking back on our way up Secret Pass Peak, view from a minor saddle on its east side.
Looking back on our way up Secret Pass Peak, view from a minor saddle on its east side.
Just past the minor saddle, we found this Class 2 gully.
Just past the minor saddle, we found this Class 2 gully.
Looking down the brushy Class 2 gully.
Looking down the brushy Class 2 gully.
At the top of the gully, we took the leftmost option, seen center of this photo. It led to the notch you see above.
At the top of the gully, we took the leftmost option, seen center of this photo. It led to the notch you see above.
Looking down the Class 3 ascent to the notch.
Looking down the Class 3 ascent to the notch.
We passed over the notch - view looking back toward Luke scrambling out of the notch.
We passed over the notch - view looking back toward Luke scrambling out of the notch.
Class 3 wrap-around.
Class 3 wrap-around.
Looking down toward Matt coming up the Class 3 section, solid rock. The Class 3 wrap-around is on the left in this photo. The notch we came from is out of frame, also left.
Looking down toward Matt coming up the Class 3 section, solid rock. The Class 3 wrap-around is on the left in this photo. The notch we came from is out of frame, also left.
Past the Class 3 section, some mellow terrain leading to the southwest side of Secret Pass Peak. We continued along the base of the cliffs to the center of this photo. We wrapped around the rocks, heading to the right.
Past the Class 3 section, some mellow terrain leading to the southwest side of Secret Pass Peak. We continued along the base of the cliffs to the center of this photo. We wrapped around the rocks, heading to the right.
After wrapping around the rocks, we were on the southwest side of Secret Pass Peak. Matt is seen here ascending Class 2 to the summit.
After wrapping around the rocks, we were on the southwest side of Secret Pass Peak. Matt is seen here ascending Class 2 to the summit.
Secret Pass Peak summit, view northwest.
Secret Pass Peak summit, view northwest.

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