Hike Sugarloaf Mountain and Hummingbird Springs Wilderness Hummingbird Springs Wilderness BLM, AZ

Sugarloaf Mountain is a remote desert peak within the Hummingbird Springs Wilderness, typically approached from the north. However, Matt and I planned to explore a couple of unnamed peaks to the southeast, which required an approach from the south. Conveniently, we were already nearby after hiking in the Central Big Horn Mountains the day before. We were happy with our choice, especially since the northern route appeared significantly less exciting.

Accessing the land south of the Big Horn Mountains Wilderness is tricky due to a water canal that snakes around it, but we found a legal way in from the southeast. Navigate here (33.49819, -113.02773) and continue north, passing under I-10. The road is well-maintained for canal and power line access and is suitable for passenger vehicles most of the way, but moderate clearance is needed at a turn-off on the right (33.60286, -113.06839). This road leads through a vehicular corridor in the wilderness area to a guzzler.

In hindsight, we should have started at the landmark Hummingbird Springs (33.65792, -113.08256) to save a few miles of walking. However, on a topo map, the terrain looked rugged and arroyo-riddled, while the southern approach seemed to offer an easier hike through washes without going against the grain of the desert. Regardless, we traveled cross-country for a bit, dropped into a wash, and followed it until reaching the northwest slope of Peak 2739. It was a pleasant morning desert walk in a new area, despite the extra mileage.

Sticking mostly to the left side of Peak 2739’s northwest slope, we ascended to the base of the summit block and wrapped around it on the right. Here, we found a nicely featured Class 3 section followed by a narrow, short ridge crest leading to the high point.

Peak 2740 was next, just across the wash we had exited earlier. From that wash, we started north and gained the peak’s east ridge. Near the top, we encountered some Class 2/3 terrain, passed over a false summit, and reached our second peak. The view toward Sugarloaf Mountain was excellent, the layered, colorful cliff bands rising well above the surrounding bajadas. The view also confirmed what we had suspected: a route up our next peak from this direction seemed unlikely.

We descended Peak 2740’s northwest slopes, studying a topo map in order to avoid cliff bands. Our chosen route worked well, but the real highlight of our choice was stumbling upon a slope scattered with geodes and volcanic rock dotted with crystal pockets. We couldn’t resist stopping to poke around for interesting specimens, though we ultimately left them all behind. Matt and I often idly mention that most artifacts we’ve taken home in the past never quite translate once removed from their natural setting. Still, it was a fun area to stumble upon.

After reaching a drainage below Peak 2740, we followed it west, then wrapped around the base of Sugarloaf Mountain on lumpy terrain until we located a weakness where an extended cliff band met with the main bulk of the peak. Though steep and loose, this ascent route provided relatively easy passage above the first layer of cliffs. Along the way, we passed a massive depression, too shallow to be classified as a cave but cool nonetheless.

We then joined Sugarloaf Mountain’s northwest ridge and continued toward the next layer of cliffs, weaving through clusters of colorful volcanic rock and pulling a few short Class 3 moves. Each time we encountered a headwall, the route led us around to the right, allowing us to locate a weakness and continue upward. A final, pleasant slope brought us to the summit.

After backtracking from Sugarloaf Mountain, we descended south through an excessively long wash, briefly leaving it to enter another wash that would take us to the trailhead.