Harcuvar Mountains, Az
Inclined railway
For HARCUVAR PEAK, go north on Center St. in Salome to a T at Hall St. Go west on Hall for half a mile to the graded Indian Springs Road. Go north for just over 4 miles (it becomes 4wd in 2 miles) to a power line road. Go right for a mile then left for half a mile to a fork. Go right and follow this to a deep wash where it gets rough and go another mile and a half and park at N33 54415, W113 37759 el 2800. Hardcore jeeps can go another third mile to a camp spot at the end. Follow an overgrown trail from the end of the road that ends at interesting mines at 55069, 37725 el 3500 just below the saddle. Go on up the right side of the canyon to the saddle. Turn left to the reg and BM at 54986, 38432 el 4600. I came down a ridge more directly back. 1900 gain, under 4 hours. I pruned the trail but it needs more.
DRIPPING SPRING PEAK el 5100 is the highest in the range without a road up it. Go north from Wenden on the Alamo Lake highway for 15.8 miles and turn right on an easy 4wd road. Go 3 and a half miles to the end at the wilderness signs el 2500. The road makes a hard left at a tank to cross a wash. Hike up the old road from the signs and it swings right then becomes a foot trail. It goes up along the right side of the canyon and ends at the spring at N34 00381, W113 30562 el 3500 near a dry fall. For the peak, go up the ridge to the right of the fall and stay on ridges all the way to the reg at N33 59937, W113 30367. 4 hours,2700 gain, some light brush. The trail needs a trim.
The BONANZA MINE has an inclined railway. Uncommon since most miners opted for trams. Go north from Wenden for 4 miles on the Alamo Lake highway. Turn left on a good road. 2wds can make it to the base of the mountain then it's steep as hell to the divide where you can see the railway. An ATV track goes to it then a foot trail goes up the right side. The main road that goes up left of the mine and beyond has a locked gate.
For SMITH PEAK, the high peak,take Eagle Eye Rd north from Aguila for 4.1 miles and go left for 3.1 miles. Turn right on easy 4wd and stay on the main road bearing left at the BLM kiosk. Good camping and mine ruins along here. The road climbs to the crest at the east end of the range then heads west to the summit and towers.
SALOME PEAK is the high point of the neighboring Granite Wash Mountains. Go north on Center St. in Salome to a T at Hall St. Go west on Hall for half a mile to the graded Indian Springs Road. Go north 2 miles then turn left on a 4wd road with mild sand. Go nearly 5 miles to a fork at N33 51009, W113 41270. Go left to the end. Pick your own route to the summit at 50378, 42681 el 3900. I went to the saddle at 50418, 42297 then up to 50381, 42604 near the top where I moved left a little to go between the crags. 3 hours, 1400 gain. Another way in is to turn off sooner at 49946, 39786 and drive to the end. Start up the main canyon on the right bench at 50198, 41985 and it takes you to the same saddle as above. A more tedious route. No reg on the peak in 2012.
