Date: October 22, 2025 • Elevation: 3,982 feet • Prominence: 382 feet • Distance: 1.1 miles • Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes • Gain: 700 feet • Conditions: Warmer with a breeze and clouds

Arizona • Main • PB • LoJ

This peak is a highpoint along a ridge emanating off of the Date Creek Mountains north of Congress. I was in the area because a storm had run me off of Reeves Benchmark way up by Dewey-Humboldt. I relocated myself to the Yarnell area and had just completed a hike up Antelope Peak.

From Yarnell, I descended down the Yarnell Grade toward Congress, then got onto Ghost Town Road, going north. The peak rises a little east of the road. I eased off the main road onto lesser tracks leading to a pair of cemeteries. This is a patch of BLM land and there were a few campers set up in the open spots. I drove as far as I could, until I was within a stone's throw of the base of the peak.

After all the weather drama from this morning, it was pleasantly warm down here, in the low 80s, with some clouds but no chance of storms. It was about 1:30 p.m. now. I was already dressed and sweaty from my previous hike, so I strapped on the pack, locked the car and started walking.

I had to weave through some palo verde and other plants briefly until I was on the lowest rocks of the mountain. I was near a gully that leads up the mountain, with the summit to the right as I looked up. It was close, about a half mile away, about about 700 feet higher.

I had no plan other than to go with what looked easiest. I crossed below a tailings pile from a mine, then onto the main slope below the summit, although the summit itself would not be visible until I was almost on it. A few feet later I came to another mine, a vertical shaft that was partially filled in. It was fenced with a sign, but it would be easy to slip through and fall in if one so desired.

Past this shaft, I marched up a very steep and rocky slope. It was brushy, but everything held together well and footing was solid, the big rocks staying in place. This led me to a rock outcrop which I clambered up and through.

I was now on another slope, and another rock outcrop up ahead. I angled right, then up, following open lanes and open slope, and came upon the second rock outcrop, staying to its right. So far, despite the steepness, this was going very well.

Above this outcrop, the slope led to a point above, which I hoped was the highpoint. Getting to it was easy. The rocks piled up more here and I had to use my hands in spots, but the scrambling was trivial. Once above this, I could see the top up ahead.

The final hundred feet or so was up a slope, bypassing some large rocks. The summit was flat with a couple rock outcrops, and a cairn in the highest of them. It had taken me a little over a half hour to get here.

Views were excellent, with the clouds creating shadows on the nearby mountains and desert flats, but with good lighting. The breeze felt good, too. I could see the Weaver Mountains and the Yarnell Grade, but Antelope Peak was invisible. I could also see the big peaks of the Date Creek Mountains.

The register held names going back about fifteen years, placed here by Lilley & MacLeod. They call it "Arrowhead Peak". The peak seems to be popular with the local hikers. As for the name, a websearch brings up nothing. It may be a local name. There were some unreadable paper scraps in the register bottle which may have mentioned the name too. I have no idea about the history of the name.

I hiked down the same route, going slow and being sure each step was solid. Even so, I was down quickly, in under a half hour. This hike had gone very well, with no extra challenges. I was now tired, this being my third peak of the day.

I got back into Congress then Wickenburg, then followed the highways and freeways into Scottsdale to my hotel, arriving in time to get caught up in the rush-hour traffic.

The peak and the area were mined in the old days. I passed two more shafts on the slopes, and despite being "fenced", walking into one would be easy. I had to be especially careful coming down.