Little Horn sheep
Royal Arch
Coyote Peak
For LITTLE HARQUAHALA high point, take exit 53 off I-10 and go north on graded road for 2 miles to a main fork. Keep right for nearly 6 miles just past a quarry and turn left for a third mile. Hike west thru a saddle then get on the ridge at N33 42335, W113 36653 that goes to the summit and Harquar BM. 1000 feet gain, 3 hours. Interesting mine ruins are east of the main dirt road on 4wd roads.
For ROYAL ARCH in the LITTLE HORN MOUNTAINS, go south from exit 53 off I-10 for just over 10 miles on the graded Hovatter Rd to a stop sign at the foot of Coyote Peak. Go left for 3.8 miles to a 4 way. The graded road continues straight and passes within a mile of the arch. It would be an easy hike across the flats to the arch at N33 23913, W113 39799. Or go left at the 4 way on a crude road for 3 and a half miles. Then go right for a mile and a half to the arch. This route would be an easy mtn bike ride.You'll never find a flatter 5 miles. I'd come back the same way.
For LITTLE HORN BM,go past the 4 way as described above for 6.2 miles to a crude track at N33 21895, W113 39874. Go left for a tenth mile to a short spur road and park at the end of it. Walk up the valley on the right side and aim for a bench on the left side of a gully at N33 21810, W113 39375. Follow this gully up on the left side, staying close to the bed.This avoids most of the basalt. When you top out on the ridge, the basalt thins out and it's an easy stroll to the reg at 21205, 37133. 4 hours, 1500 gain.
- COYOTE PEAK has a possible class 3 route. I went up to the notch north of the summit then contoured left of the ridge center to get east of the summit block. I went up to an exposed section then a bee stung me.That's all the excuse I needed to turn back. I'll return with a rope and beekeeper suit.
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.
