Class 2 8.9 miles 1900 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Jan 18, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Tres Alamos GPX Track

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Tres Alamos are a set of three peaks visible from AZ-93, and after seeing them on various drives I grew compelled to visit the Tres Alamos Wilderness Area. My friends Matt and Petey did the high point a few months before I found time to get out there and outlined driving directions for me, so I became more excited to go. I was hoping to include the two other summits on my outing, but I ran out of time due to an unexpected lengthy hike in. Leave pavement here (34.24594, -113.07951) and follow the main dirt road. An unlocked gate with information regarding obtaining an AZ State Land Trust permit is posted clearly, so I recommend doing so. After following this pretty good road (decent clearance and tires required), I parked within a small area of private property before a gate crossing since the next little arroyo I'd have to drive through was very muddy and I didn't want to risk getting stuck. You could likely get a Crossover vehicle another few miles if there hasn't been rain, reducing the hike distance by 5 miles or more. However, this recent washout was particularly bad and I'm really not sure the road even exists anymore, hence why my stats include the entire hike that I did, including this long road walk. The added time prevented me from trying to reach the other two peaks that comprise Tres Alamos, so I was only able to reach the high point.

I reached the end of the long road walk at a wash after watching Tres Alamos slowly inch closer, then just headed in an arc generally northwest up a somewhat cactusy slope. The bushwhacking was minimal, but I had to do some catclaw and palo verde avoidance moves. You'll notice two lines on my attached map. The southern was my ascent route, which I opted to do because the slope angle was far less steep than my more direct descent (the northern line). I headed up the slope, which included an occasional little Class 2 move on thigh-high outcroppies. After reaching the ridgeline I headed north, ascending steeply, and then continued on some Class 2 talus along the crest.

I gained the summit of Tres Alamos and looked over at the two other peaks. The middle peak was unranked, so I didn't care much to make the effort. The farther one was a true peak, but it looked like a heinous ascent. The cliffs were daunting, and zig-zagging scree slopes looked to be the only viable options and would likely not be fun. With plans in Phoenix I realized I definitely didn't have the time to explore a route option and descended from here. It was nice to check out the area, but the peaks definitely looked more interesting from below.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Tres Alamos
4293 ft
1473 rise

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I didn't take a shot of the spot that stopped me along the road, but as you can see it's in pretty good shape past the washed out portion that is likely perfectly passable in better conditions (non-muddy and if the road actually does still exist at that spot). You can see Tres Alamos ahead, the high point left of center.
I didn't take a shot of the spot that stopped me along the road, but as you can see it's in pretty good shape past the washed out portion that is likely perfectly passable in better conditions (non-muddy and if the road actually does still exist at that spot). You can see Tres Alamos ahead, the high point left of center.
Toward the end of the road, Tres Alamos seen ahead. The high point is on the left.
Toward the end of the road, Tres Alamos seen ahead. The high point is on the left.
The western peak of Tres Alamos is seen center. It has a colorful cliff face, but the peak would have been too much effort for the amount of time I had today. So, to the high point I'd go!
The western peak of Tres Alamos is seen center. It has a colorful cliff face, but the peak would have been too much effort for the amount of time I had today. So, to the high point I'd go!
Ascending the cactusy slope toward the high point, seen ahead. On the ascent, I ascended to the saddle on the left. On the descent, I came from the summit more directly.
Ascending the cactusy slope toward the high point, seen ahead. On the ascent, I ascended to the saddle on the left. On the descent, I came from the summit more directly.
Ascending to the saddle.
Ascending to the saddle.
Class 2 at points, but mostly just a slope.
Class 2 at points, but mostly just a slope.
On the ridge, heading to the summit of Tres Alamos.
On the ridge, heading to the summit of Tres Alamos.
Steep slope/ridge.
Steep slope/ridge.
Rocky Class 2 along the crest.
Rocky Class 2 along the crest.
View back at the saddle as I ascend. My car is top left somewhere in the desert.
View back at the saddle as I ascend. My car is top left somewhere in the desert.
Tres Alamos ahead.
Tres Alamos ahead.
Class 2 to the summit.
Class 2 to the summit.
Summit of Tres Alamos, view back along the ridge. I ascended from the center of this photo.
Summit of Tres Alamos, view back along the ridge. I ascended from the center of this photo.
Tres Alamos summit, view northwest.
Tres Alamos summit, view northwest.
Close-up toward the westernmost Tres Alamos peak and its cliffy face.
Close-up toward the westernmost Tres Alamos peak and its cliffy face.
View north.
View north.

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!