Southern Whipple Mountains from Copper Basin in Whipple Mountains BLM, CA

Hike Southern Whipple Mountains from Copper Basin Whipple Mountains BLM, CA

Class 4 13.7 miles 5700 gain 8-11 hrs Loop Dec 12, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Southern Whipple Mountains from Copper Basin GPX Track

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The Whipple Mountains have consistently been one of my favorite desert areas, and the loop planned for today would hit the majority of what I had left over in the range. Last year, Whiley and I did the lumpier peaks just north, and while gorgeous, those peaks are more about the scenery, while these more craggy peaks today would provide a lot more interesting route-finding. I met up with the same group from a couple of days ago to tackle our various planned routes. Each of us had slightly different goals since we'd each gotten to different peaks at various points in our lives, which was fine because there were so many options in this area. Chris Kerth and Bob Burd formulated a loop that would accomodate mostly everyone, but ultimately we all separated more-or-less after the first peak.

Note that Parker Dam is closed at certain hours, so make sure to check its status before driving out late at night or super early in the morning. We made our way along the sandy (4WD likely required) Bowmans Wash Road, the public access road into Copper Basin. It's a long drive and has substantial washboarding along with a couple of big rocks requiring high clearance. 

I set out before everyone else in order to bag Peaks 2700 and 2710 because nobody else showed any initial interest in those and I knew I'd never forgive myself if I skipped them. I began through a wash and stumbled on the ancient mining road Chris said would take me a couple of miles to just below Peak 2710. Easy to follow, I quickly made my way along this road until it reached the saddle separating Peak 2710 and Peak 2380. I'd be meeting the group on the latter in a bit, but first I headed northeast along the mining road and found myself at Peak 2710's base. Class 2 led to its summit, and I continued south along the ridgeline to get a pretty crazy view with an 800-foot cliff. I worked my way northwest to get to Peak 2700, a straightforward undertaking until just below the summit, where a few fun Class 2+/3 moves brought me up.

I backtracked to the saddle with Peak 2380 and headed west along the Class 2 slope, where I reached the ridgeline and spotted the group ahead. Some Class 2 along the ridge led to some very intersting Class 3 route-finding on the left (southwest) side of the ridgeline. The crest begins jagged and steep, but a few ups-and-downs on the left provided a more reasonable route to gain the ridgeline. Here there was a fairly exposed Class 3 shallow chute on solid rock which led to the summit.

We all backtracked together, then dropped west off the ridge on a Class 2 slope, our next goal being Peak 2660. We decided to head up to it by starting along its eastern slope. It might have been more efficient to just continue on the peak's south side and ascend when just below the summit, but we were happy to get nice views and see a particularly cool canyon-looking feature before the summit. All was Class 2 until the summit block, which if you'll notice on my attached map that there are two. We couldn't discern which was higher, but both go at Class 3/4, and are equally cool.

Bob decided to head out on his own, so Chris, Tom, and I continued onward to Peak 2940. It looked pretty daunting from here, and none of us were confident that it would have a route to its summit, though it was clear we all were excited to try and find one. We made our way to a major gully on the southwest side and started up this Class 2 undertaking, which led the majority of the way up. A smaller gully continued north and ended at a narrow Class 4 cactus-filled ramp. On the ascent we went up this ramp, but on the descent we found that a Class 3 slab just to its left that went a lot more cleanly. Above the ramp was a Class 2 narrow ledge on the solid black volcanic rock I love about this area, which led with full exposure to a short Class 4 move and then a short Class 3 ramp that required crawling. We emerged on the rim above, overjoyed we found a route on the first attempt. Class 2 brought us to the summit, where the views into Whipple Wash and toward the surrounding peaks were excellent.

After slowly backtracking along the scary Class 3/4 cruxes, we made our way back to the saddle of Peak 2940 and Peak 2660. Initially we intended to go hike out to the distant Peak 3357, but unfortunately that peak would elude me yet again due to time constraints. Chris was hoping to get this one as well, so we mourned for only a short time before dropping south into a drainage. This drainage led to the base of Peak 2573, where a Class 2 slope led to just below its summit area, maybe low Class 3.

Peak 2525 would be our last for the day. We debated dropping directly east and getting to it more directly, but we'd have to cross over a bunch of tedious little arroyos and decided we wanted to take the scenic route instead. Keeping to the low ridge crest, we made quick progress up and over minor humps and down to the north side of Peak 2525. The summit was on the opposite end, but the significant cliffs below meant keeping high would be a more likely recipe for sucess. We started up on Class 2 terrain, keeping to the right (west) of the ridge crest. We encountered a few Class 2/3 moves, but nothing too crazy. There are also likely many options for ascending, but for the most part I recommend keeping below the ridge until just below the summit. The summit block was Class 2.

We took in the sunset for a little bit, specifically toward the collossus of Copper Mountain, and then dropped south along the ridge crest. We left the ridge when the cliffs faded away, then descended on stupid, loose Class 2 for a few hundred feet. The most reasonable descent after clearing the cliffs seemed to be to sidehill over to a sloped ridge, avoiding the extra steep and loose crap. This led to more tame desert below and we found ourselves following burro trails back to the cars.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Peak 2710
2710 ft
610 rise
2
Peak 2700
2700 ft
280 rise
3
Peak 2380
2380 ft
360 rise
4
Peak 2660
2660 ft
280 rise
5
Peak 2940
2940 ft
720 rise
6
Peak 2573
2573 ft
293 rise
7
Peak 2525
2525 ft
525 rise

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Starting out from the cars. Peak 2525 on the left (our last one of the day). The route starts up the drainage in the center of this photo.
Starting out from the cars. Peak 2525 on the left (our last one of the day). The route starts up the drainage in the center of this photo.
Along an old mining road as I make my way up to the saddle separating Peak 2380 and Peak 2710.
Along an old mining road as I make my way up to the saddle separating Peak 2380 and Peak 2710.
Starting up to Peak 2710.
Starting up to Peak 2710.
View back toward the saddle (left of center). Peak 2380 visible on the right. I'm on my way up to Peak 2710.
View back toward the saddle (left of center). Peak 2380 visible on the right. I'm on my way up to Peak 2710.
Peak 2710 ahead.
Peak 2710 ahead.
Just below Peak 2710, view back. Peak 2380 and Peak 2660 visible center. Peak 2940 right. Pea 2573 (the little nubbin) on the left.
Just below Peak 2710, view back. Peak 2380 and Peak 2660 visible center. Peak 2940 right. Pea 2573 (the little nubbin) on the left.
View from Peak 2710. Copper Mountain visible right.
View from Peak 2710. Copper Mountain visible right.
Just north of Peak 2710, view south. Peak 2525 on the far right. The drainage I came up via mining road is just below it. The cars are somewhere on the left center.
Just north of Peak 2710, view south. Peak 2525 on the far right. The drainage I came up via mining road is just below it. The cars are somewhere on the left center.
Onward to Peak 2700.
Onward to Peak 2700.
At the base of Peak 2700.
At the base of Peak 2700.
Class 2/3 up Peak 2700.
Class 2/3 up Peak 2700.
Peak 2700 summit, view south toward Peak 2710.
Peak 2700 summit, view south toward Peak 2710.
Back at the saddle with Peak 2380. I headed up the slope ahead. Peak 2380 visible on the right.
Back at the saddle with Peak 2380. I headed up the slope ahead. Peak 2380 visible on the right.
On the ridgeline, headed to Peak 2380. Class 2 for a while. Peak 2573 seen on the far left.
On the ridgeline, headed to Peak 2380. Class 2 for a while. Peak 2573 seen on the far left.
Close-up along the ridge.
Close-up along the ridge.
Class 3 on the left side of the ridge, avoiding the crest.
Class 3 on the left side of the ridge, avoiding the crest.
Some fun route-finding to avoid scarier stuff. Here's where I met up with the group.
Some fun route-finding to avoid scarier stuff. Here's where I met up with the group.
Exposed Class 3 section below the summit.
Exposed Class 3 section below the summit.
View down at Iris on the exposed Class 3 moves.
View down at Iris on the exposed Class 3 moves.
Peak 2380 summit, view east. Peak 2710 visible left of center.
Peak 2380 summit, view east. Peak 2710 visible left of center.
Peak 2380 summit, view west. Peak 2660 visible center, Peak 2940 right of center.
Peak 2380 summit, view west. Peak 2660 visible center, Peak 2940 right of center.
We backtracked a dropped off on the west slope of Peak 2380.
We backtracked a dropped off on the west slope of Peak 2380.
Approaching the east slope of Peak 2660.
Approaching the east slope of Peak 2660.
View into the canyon separating Peak 2380 and Peak 2660. It looks amazing on a topo map.
View into the canyon separating Peak 2380 and Peak 2660. It looks amazing on a topo map.
View back toward Peak 2380. We came from the right in this photo.
View back toward Peak 2380. We came from the right in this photo.
Class 2 up the east slope of PEak 2660.
Class 2 up the east slope of PEak 2660.
Another shot back.
Another shot back.
Cool cliffs as we ascend Peak 2660.
Cool cliffs as we ascend Peak 2660.
A really neat canyon-like feature below the summit.
A really neat canyon-like feature below the summit.
Peak 2660 ahead on the left. Peak 2940 visible on the right.
Peak 2660 ahead on the left. Peak 2940 visible on the right.
Peak 2660 summit block (eastern summit).
Peak 2660 summit block (eastern summit).
View back.
View back.
Class 3/4 move to gain the eastern summit.
Class 3/4 move to gain the eastern summit.
Bob coming up the crux. You can see the western summit above him.
Bob coming up the crux. You can see the western summit above him.
Peak 2940 on the left.
Peak 2940 on the left.
Close-up toward Peak 2940.
Close-up toward Peak 2940.
Before Peak 2940, we had to go try for the western summit of Peak 2660. We wrapped around its base.
Before Peak 2940, we had to go try for the western summit of Peak 2660. We wrapped around its base.
Class 3 led to just below the summit block.
Class 3 led to just below the summit block.
Peak 2660's western summit. There's an airy move just to the right of Bob.
Peak 2660's western summit. There's an airy move just to the right of Bob.
Onward to Peak 2940. We wrapped around its southern cliffs.
Onward to Peak 2940. We wrapped around its southern cliffs.
And we found this major gully, Class 2.
And we found this major gully, Class 2.
Higher up, a narrower gully leading north.
Higher up, a narrower gully leading north.
View back. We came from the bottom right in this photo.
View back. We came from the bottom right in this photo.
Ascending a Class 4 cactus-filled ramp. On the way down we found that the Class 3 slab (far left in this shot) worked much better. Just above this ramp, we took a left and started up the cliffy stuff visible top left in this photo.
Ascending a Class 4 cactus-filled ramp. On the way down we found that the Class 3 slab (far left in this shot) worked much better. Just above this ramp, we took a left and started up the cliffy stuff visible top left in this photo.
Chris on the Class 3 slab that worked more nicely. (This shot was taken later on the way down)
Chris on the Class 3 slab that worked more nicely. (This shot was taken later on the way down)
After some exposed Class 2 on a black ledge, we got to this spot. This is a wide-shot up toward the cruxes to reach the rim. Chris and Tom seen on the rim above. The Class 4 move seen on the right, followed by the Class 3 crawl-ramp.
After some exposed Class 2 on a black ledge, we got to this spot. This is a wide-shot up toward the cruxes to reach the rim. Chris and Tom seen on the rim above. The Class 4 move seen on the right, followed by the Class 3 crawl-ramp.
The Class 4 move.
The Class 4 move.
View down at the Class 4 move just below the ramp.
View down at the Class 4 move just below the ramp.
Exposed ramp.
Exposed ramp.
Close-up down at the ramp.
Close-up down at the ramp.
Chris reaching the rim. Tom visible on the exposed ramp just below.
Chris reaching the rim. Tom visible on the exposed ramp just below.
Along the rim, making our way to the summit.
Along the rim, making our way to the summit.
View back at the route. We came up the gully center, then ascended on the scary-looking cliffs right of center to reach the rim.
View back at the route. We came up the gully center, then ascended on the scary-looking cliffs right of center to reach the rim.
Peak 2940, view southeast toward the peaks so far today.
Peak 2940, view southeast toward the peaks so far today.
Peak 2940 summit, view west toward Peak 3357.
Peak 2940 summit, view west toward Peak 3357.
Peak 2940 summit, view north toward Cupcake Mountain.
Peak 2940 summit, view north toward Cupcake Mountain.
Peak 2940 summit, view into Whipple Wash.
Peak 2940 summit, view into Whipple Wash.
Backtracking along the base of Peak 2940.
Backtracking along the base of Peak 2940.
Descending west into a drainage.
Descending west into a drainage.
View back toward Peak 2940 (left) and Peak 2660 (right).
View back toward Peak 2940 (left) and Peak 2660 (right).
Peak 2940 is quite impressive.
Peak 2940 is quite impressive.
Down into a drainage.
Down into a drainage.
We followed the drainage to the base of Peak 2573, seen ahead.
We followed the drainage to the base of Peak 2573, seen ahead.
Ascending to Peak 2573. Peak 2940 poking out in the distance.
Ascending to Peak 2573. Peak 2940 poking out in the distance.
A headwall, which we avoided on the right.
A headwall, which we avoided on the right.
Peak 2573 ahead.
Peak 2573 ahead.
Class 2/3 up to Peak 2573's summit. There was a tiny bit of fun route-finding, but it was pretty straightforward.
Class 2/3 up to Peak 2573's summit. There was a tiny bit of fun route-finding, but it was pretty straightforward.
View back toward Tom as he gains the summit of Peak 2573.
View back toward Tom as he gains the summit of Peak 2573.
Peak 2573, view toward Peak 3357 (left) and Peak 2940 (right).
Peak 2573, view toward Peak 3357 (left) and Peak 2940 (right).
View northeast  into the canyon separating Peak 2380 and Peak 2660.
View northeast into the canyon separating Peak 2380 and Peak 2660.
Close-up toward Peak 2525 (right of center).
Close-up toward Peak 2525 (right of center).
View back toward Peak 2573 (right) as we head along the scenic route over to Peak 2525.
View back toward Peak 2573 (right) as we head along the scenic route over to Peak 2525.
Another shot back toward Peak 2573 (far right).
Another shot back toward Peak 2573 (far right).
Peak 2525 ahead.
Peak 2525 ahead.
Farther along the ridge, view back toward Peak 2573.
Farther along the ridge, view back toward Peak 2573.
Peak 2525 ahead. First a big drop to get to it. As you can see it has serious cliffs. We decided to ascend via its northern side (center in this photo) and then traverse above the cliffs to reach the summit.
Peak 2525 ahead. First a big drop to get to it. As you can see it has serious cliffs. We decided to ascend via its northern side (center in this photo) and then traverse above the cliffs to reach the summit.
Making our way to the north side of Peak 2525.
Making our way to the north side of Peak 2525.
View back, Peak 2573 visible top right.
View back, Peak 2573 visible top right.
Class 2.
Class 2.
Another shot back as we ascend Peak 2525.
Another shot back as we ascend Peak 2525.
Class 2 just below the ridge crest.
Class 2 just below the ridge crest.
View back again as we near the summit.
View back again as we near the summit.
Peak 2525 summit, view north.
Peak 2525 summit, view north.
Peak 2525 summit, view toward Copper Mountain.
Peak 2525 summit, view toward Copper Mountain.
Image 84 from gallery
We dropped down the south side.
We dropped down the south side.
We left the ridge crest after clearing the cliffs seen above.
We left the ridge crest after clearing the cliffs seen above.
Loose, dumb Class 2.
Loose, dumb Class 2.
View back toward the loose descent.
View back toward the loose descent.
We sidehilled to this more pleasant slope/ridge.
We sidehilled to this more pleasant slope/ridge.
View back toward Peak 2525 as we make our way back to the cars.
View back toward Peak 2525 as we make our way back to the cars.

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