Class 2 5.2 miles 2000 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Mar 9, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Woolsey Peak GPX Track

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I decided to head down to join Adam Walker and some of his friends in AZ, all of whom are accomplished climbers. Woolsey Peak required a long dirt road drive with a couple of tough spots until a point where the road was too poor for any of our cars. High clearance is needed, and only burlier vehicles can get as far as we did, so expect to add a few miles of walking depending on how far you can make it on the poor road. To reach our starting point, turn southwest here (33.25868219, -112.81207006) and continue south/southwest, ensuring you're on this road (33.2382529, -112.8261058) as you continue. Keep right at this split (33.20486375, -112.85257411) and keep on this road until you can't stand the block volcanic rocks anymore. We strolled along the deteriorating road toward the base of Woolsey Peak, then headed cross-country to get to its northern  base.

Update from November 2021 regarding a trailhead: although this won't be reflected in my attached map, we found an alternative road into the area that is much better a couple of years later. This will require a little bit more cross-desert walking, but I think it would ultimately work better for reaching Woolsey Peak. To reach this alternate trailhead here (33.1922958, -112.916359), navigate here (33.25495, -112.88906) and continue southwest on Agua Caliente Road, which becomes Woolsey Wash Road. It's overall a decent road and a Crossover vehicle can make it to the trailhead. The terrain along the route to gain Woolsey Peak's base would likely be pretty similar to the trip report described below.

Once at the base of Woolsey Peak's northwest slopes, we noted two breaks in the major cliff band that surrounded the peak. Both had a fan of boulders and rubble that would create reasonable ascent options, but the one farther to the right was what we went with. This big volcanic slope with ample Class 2 boulder-hopping and some cactus obstacles led to the summit without too much fanfare. Woolsey Peak is a fairly boring desert bump, but the views looking southeast toward distant mesas from the summit were really nice. There were two peaks – one had a register, the other had two registers (??).

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Woolsey Peak
3171 ft
2071 rise

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Walking along the dirt road forever, Woolsey Peak the obvious thing on the left.
Walking along the dirt road forever, Woolsey Peak the obvious thing on the left.
Dirt road leading to Woolsey Peak.
Dirt road leading to Woolsey Peak.
Looking back along the dirt road.
Looking back along the dirt road.
Passing a fence. You can see two viable slope options that break up the cliff bands. We chose the western (right) one.
Passing a fence. You can see two viable slope options that break up the cliff bands. We chose the western (right) one.
Rocky volcanic slope, ascending the slope mentioned in the previous photo caption.
Rocky volcanic slope, ascending the slope mentioned in the previous photo caption.
Looking back down the slope.
Looking back down the slope.
Higher up on Woolsey Peak.
Higher up on Woolsey Peak.
Last bit to the summit, where it got a bit steeper. We pulled a couple of maybe Class 2+ moves. Likely avoidable if you spend some more time poking around.
Last bit to the summit, where it got a bit steeper. We pulled a couple of maybe Class 2+ moves. Likely avoidable if you spend some more time poking around.
Summit ahead.
Summit ahead.
Looking down the slope we came up.
Looking down the slope we came up.
Woolsey Peak summit. there were two summits, one with a single register and the other with two registers.
Woolsey Peak summit. there were two summits, one with a single register and the other with two registers.

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!