Southern Big Horn Mountains (Peak 2700) in Big Horn Mountains Wilderness Area, AZ

Hike Southern Big Horn Mountains (Peak 2700) Big Horn Mountains Wilderness Area, AZ

Class 4 3.6 miles 1700 gain 2-4 hrs Loop Jan 30, 2024
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Southern Big Horn Mountains (Peak 2700) GPX Track

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The Big Horn Mountains are a small group of Arizona peaks just north of Interstate 10, mostly known for its high point Big Horn Peak. Today, we planned to hike to the high point of the range's southern section, unnamed Peak 2700. From afar, it's a pretty jagged-looking undertaking, a perfect fit for our last day of a desert scrambling trip. Without any information about reaching the summit, we tried to locate a road that might get us close to the high point. The land to the south of the Big Horn Mountains Wilderness is tricky to access since a water canal snakes around it, but we managed to find a legal way to access this part of the range when approaching from the southeast. Whether you're coming from the east or west on the I-10, navigate to here (33.49819, -113.02773) and head north, under I-10. Continue west here (33.56114, -113.05372). The road is in great condition, maintained for access to the canal and power lines overhead. It's likely passable by passenger vehicles.

We parked at a locked gate and decided that the southern ridge of Peak 2700 looked far more fun than just walking through the flat desert to the base of the peak. Although the ridge was a bit lumpy, we were happy with our decision. Overall, this ridgeline route included lots of Class 2 and occasional wraps around outcroppings along the crest. There was one required Class 3 down-climb into a notch, but otherwise, most of the scrambling isn't notable. At one point, my friends stuck to the sketchier crest outcroppings just for fun while I chose to sidehill. They seemed to enjoy themselves, but I was content to skip additional dangers. In fact, one of them knocked a massive boulder off that, had we not been communicating as to my whereabouts below them, would have wrecked me. Another benefit of taking the ridge is that we got a really nice view of Peak 2700 ahead when it became clear that the southern aspect was not a viable ascent option.

We hiked a steep slope to the peak's base and wrapped around its east side, sidehilling on reasonable terrain. We headed up a steep Class 2 gully that ultimately leads to a minor saddle just north of the summit. You don't want to take this gully all the way there though, since the summit is not accessible from this saddle. Instead, about 50 feet below the crest, a smaller gully on the left leads up to a chimney. I would call this chimney low Class 5, but it isn't exposed. Surprisingly, all the holds I wanted were there, and they were quite solid. I chose to take this route, while my friends decided on a more exposed Class 4 face. I descended their way on the way back and was not happy with that decision, certainly preferring the more technical chimney compared to the more dangerous, but technically easier option. So, a Class 4 route exists, though I didn't document or take photos of it. You can locate it about 100 feet left and below the chimney I used. Anyway, from the top of the chimney I followed the Class 2/3 ridge crest to the summit of Peak 2700.

After backtracking to the south side of Peak 2700 again, we decided to save time and just make a loop rather than return via the eventful crest approach. This required taking a steep and loose Class 2 slope down to the desert floor, some talus along the way. The closer we got to the cars, the better the terrain became, eventually all rockiness left behind. I got a tiny rock stuck in my brake during the drive back, creating a shrill so loud that it concerned even the brake repair guy when I pulled up to get it checked out. A minor annoyance, but who knew a little rock could be so loud? I said farewell to my friends after this excellent streak of tough desert adventures.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Peak 2700
2700 ft
700 rise

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Peak 2700 seen top left. We took the ridge ahead, but returned through the open desert on the left.
Peak 2700 seen top left. We took the ridge ahead, but returned through the open desert on the left.
Along the pleasant, fun little ridge.
Along the pleasant, fun little ridge.
Class 2 much of the way.
Class 2 much of the way.
Short section of Class 3 into a notch.
Short section of Class 3 into a notch.
Some occasional Class 3 obstacles, often they can be bypassed.
Some occasional Class 3 obstacles, often they can be bypassed.
Friends on sketchier terrain. I side-hilled on the right, Class 2/3.
Friends on sketchier terrain. I side-hilled on the right, Class 2/3.
Peak 2700 ahead.
Peak 2700 ahead.
View back along the ridge.
View back along the ridge.
Peak 2700. We headed up the slope to its base, then wrapped left.
Peak 2700. We headed up the slope to its base, then wrapped left.
Side-hilling around Peak 2700.
Side-hilling around Peak 2700.
A gully on its north side.
A gully on its north side.
View down the gully.
View down the gully.
Don't go all the way to the ridge. The summit isn't accessible from here.
Don't go all the way to the ridge. The summit isn't accessible from here.
Instead, before the ridge, I took this side-gully.
Instead, before the ridge, I took this side-gully.
It led to this low Class 5 chimney.
It led to this low Class 5 chimney.
View down the chimney.
View down the chimney.
Summit of Peak 2700, view toward Big Horn Peak (left).
Summit of Peak 2700, view toward Big Horn Peak (left).
After backtracking to Peak 2700's base, we took this steep slope down to the desert floor below.
After backtracking to Peak 2700's base, we took this steep slope down to the desert floor below.

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!