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Mount Perkins, Arizona, April 2024

May 18, 2024 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

On Friday, April 19, I drove from Tucson, Arizona, northwest through Kingman, then north on US Hwy 93. I turned to the west on a dirt road. After a few miles I found a secluded campsite and settled in for the night. My plan was to hike Mount Perkins on Saturday with Las Vegas Mountaineers Club members Eric and Stacey Kassan. I have climbed many Arizona peaks with Eric and Stacey. I looked forward to sharing another peak with them on this trip.

Mount Perkins lies to the southwest from my campsite
Mount Perkins lies to the southwest from my campsite

Mount Perkins is the highpoint of the Black Mountains northwest of Kingman (there are other Black Mountains to the southeast of Kingman). It has 2036 feet of prominence, making it the 67th most prominent peak in Arizona. There were several other prominent peaks visible from my campsite. I hope to visit the most prominent ones over the next year.

A Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) resting on a fence after hours of singing
A Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) resting on a fence after hours of singing

Overnight a Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) began singing and continued to do so enthusiastically and with great variety for several hours. It was a pleasant addition to the ambiance of the desert.

Beavertail Cactus (Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris) beside the access road
Beavertail Cactus (Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris) beside the access road
I think this is Mojave Woodyaster (Xylorhiza tortifolia), located near my campsite
I think this is Mojave Woodyaster (Xylorhiza tortifolia), located near my campsite
Redstem Stork's-Bill (Erodium cicutarium) near my campsite
Redstem Stork’s-Bill (Erodium cicutarium) near my campsite

Saturday morning I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and photographed some nearby wildflowers as I waited for Eric and Stacey.

Feral Donkeys (Equus asinus) watch me drive by on our way in towards Mount Perkins
Feral Donkeys (Equus asinus) watch me drive by on our way in towards Mount Perkins

Eric and Stacey arrived and we drove further in towards Mount Perkins. On the way I paused to photograph some burros amongst cattle. Eric and Stacey patiently waited. We drove higher and parked before the end of the road to get some extra hiking for the day.

Eric and Stacey lead up towards the north ridge of Mount Perkins
Eric and Stacey lead up towards the north ridge of Mount Perkins
Beside the trail I found what I think is Rough Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja scabrida)
Beside the trail I found what I think is Rough Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja scabrida)

Our route led us up to the end of the road, then south along the north ridge of Mount Perkins. The ridge was open country and had a gentle grade. In places we followed an unmaintained trail.

Higher, we climb towards a communications facility. The summit lies just beyond it.
Higher, we climb towards a communications facility. The summit lies just beyond it.
Eric approaches the summit cairn
Eric approaches the summit cairn
The Mount Perkins summit cairn with mailbox summit registry container. and PERKINS benchmark.
The Mount Perkins summit cairn with mailbox summit registry container. and PERKINS benchmark.

We enjoyed the views as we climbed, especially of Lake Mohave below us to the west. I paused for a few photos. Soon we passed a communication tower and reached the summit.

Lake Mohave and Spirit Mountain, Nevada, lie to the SSW from Mount Perkins
Lake Mohave and Spirit Mountain, Nevada, lie to the SSW from Mount Perkins
The Grand Wash Cliffs lie along the horizon to the ENE
The Grand Wash Cliffs lie along the horizon to the ENE
Mount Wilson to the north overlooks Lake Mead beyond
Mount Wilson to the north overlooks Lake Mead beyond

As usual, we added our names to the summit registry, took photos, and relaxed over lunch. I studied the unfamiliar peaks and ranges around us. It was a warm day with a cloudless sky. After a pleasant stay we descended the same route to our cars.

Stacey and Eric lead our descent of the north ridge
Stacey and Eric lead our descent of the north ridge
As we descend high on the north ridge our access road is visible just right of center
As we descend high on the north ridge our access road is visible just right of center

We drove east back to US Hwy 93, then south and east through Dolan Springs towards the Grand Wash Cliffs. We turned into the Grand Canyon Western Ranch hoping to gain access to our planned remote campsite. However, we were flagged down by a ranch employee. After a short discussion with the employee we retreated to the highway.

The Grand Wash Cliffs rise above our evening campsite
The Grand Wash Cliffs rise above our evening campsite

A short distance to the east we tried an alternative access point to the Iron Spring Road. This worked well; we drove a few miles south, then camped beside a rarely used pipeline road. From camp Iron Mountain rose immediately to the west. The Grand Wash Cliffs rose to the south.

It had been fun to hike with Eric and Stacey again and I enjoyed spending Saturday evening and night in camp with them. The next morning after breakfast Eric and Stacey left camp to climb nearby Iron Mountain. I drove a few miles further south to climb the highpoint of the Grand Wash Cliffs. I hope to share more Arizona peaks with Eric and Stacey again.

Filed Under: Hiking Tagged With: Arizona, Black Mountains, Las Vegas Mountaineers Club, Mount Perkins

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