The Mountains of Arizona
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Peak 2839 • Peak 2561 I was here yesterday, hiking two peaks, Millsite Benchmark & Peak 3145. It was my first time in this specific area and I wanted to return to look at two more peaks, both located west of yesterday's peaks and barely outside the Tonto National Forest, on State Trust land. After hiking Millsite Benchmark Peak, I stood at 999 peaks with 100 meters of prominence (equivalent to 328 feet). Thus, I was a little more motivated to get another one, and get myself to the magical one-thousand.
Date: February 5, 2026
• Elevation: 2,839 feet ✳
• Prominence: 411 feet
• Distance: 1.3 mile
• Time: 80 minutes
• Gain: 560 feet
• Conditions: Sunny, cool and extremely windy
Arizona
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Main
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PB
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LoJ
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Lidar
I was up early and on the road a little after 6 a.m., heading east on US-60 through Apache Junction, Gold Canyon and Florence Junction, then easing onto Queen Valley Road. Like yesterday, I timed it such that I was here a little too early, the sun still about twenty minutes from rising.
I pulled into a gravel lot and changed into my hiking clothes. The wind was heavy, similar to yesterday. It was chilly but not cold, in the high 40s, but with the stiff wind, it felt much colder. Hiking in heavy wind can be challenging.
When the sun was high enough, I drove into Queen Valley the town, then caught Elephant Butte Road near the golf course and followed that north about three miles. This road is wide gravel hardpack, suitable for most vehicles. A few homesteads are found back here, as well as a number of lots for sale.
This is Arizona State Trust land here, but there is a single square mile section of land that is private, and where most of these homesteads are located. I drove through this development, passing by a rock formation, the actual "Elephant Butte". I drove until I passed a gate, now back on State Trust land. Peak 2839 rose immediately to the north.
It was nearly 7:30 a.m., the sun still mostly blocked by the mountains to the east. I was in shadow, but the very top of Peak 2839 was in sunlight. I got suited up, and went light: no pack, just a fleece jacket with my stuff in the pockets.
The wind was very strong, blowing at about 25 miles per hour. I started up the slope near where I parked. It is moderately steep with rubbly rocks forming a loose, sometimes slippery tread. I went slowly, aiming for a rock outcrop up ahead, about 150 feet above where I started.
I passed this outcrop by easing to the left and picking my way through the rocks and brush. It wasn't scrambling, but I needed my hands for balance. Once past this rock outcrop, I was now on a small ridge, and the main ridge crest of the peak was visible above me.
The summit is the left-most (westernmost) peak on the ridge. There are two other subpeaks, each one covered by piles of rocks and small cliffs. The lower ridge I was on sloped up toward the easternmost peaks of the summit ridge. The tread here was a little more solid, sloping upward but never too steeply. I angled left and was able to bypass this eastern bump easily.
Next up was the middle of the three summit ridge bumps. From below it looked imposing, but now viewing it head on, I could see ways through it. I went right and was able to walk a sloppy ledge around it. Like before, it wasn't scrambling, but I used my hands a few times.
Now I was facing the summit itself, and much more rocks. But from my vantage, I could see about five viable ways up the thing. I walked in that direction and followed what looked smart, walking up a steep slope before getting onto the summit rockpile itself.
Here, I "scrambled" but barely. I needed hands to hoist up a couple rocks, but this was only for ten or fifteen feet. I was now on the highest summit ridge. I walked to the highpoint itself, arriving here 45 minutes after starting my hike.
I found a register and signed in, then snapped a few images. The wind was just too strong for my liking. Up here, it would gust to about 50 m.p.h.. I was in a three-points of contact football crouch most of the time for stability. The one time I stood tall, I was knocked off-balance slightly. It was still chilly, and with the wind not helping, it was downright cold.
After just a few minutes, I started down and followed the same route down, using the same bypasses I had taken up. I made good time, the descent taking just over a half hour. I was back to my car still a shade before 9 a.m..
This peak did allow me to claim my 1,000th peak in Arizona with 100 meters of prominence. I felt good about that. It was a short hike and not difficult. However, the strong winds prompted me to cancel my second peak, which rises about a mile to the north. I'll save it for another day. ("Another day" was six days later)
I needed a second peak now that I'd cancelled one already. I remembered a dinky summit over by the Peralta Trailhead...
Elevation: 2,561 feet ✳
• Prominence: 308 feet
• Distance: 1.4 mile
• Time: 1 hour
• Gain: 390 feet
• Conditions: Sunny and warm, not as breezy
PB
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LoJ
This little peak rises about a mile northeast of Peak 2753, south of the road to the Peralta Trailhead. I climbed Peak 2753 over three years ago. I do not recall why I skipped this little guy, as climbing both on one outing would seem natural and wouldn't take long.
I came back today to take another look. I drove in on the Peralta Trail Road a few miles, then at a Y-junction, went right on a good track (a left going to Peralta Trailhead). This road leads to a ranch, but it is publicly accessible for about a mile, which is all I needed.
I pulled into an open spot off the main road, and since I was already dressed, was on the move quickly. I followed the track uphill to a saddle about a quarter-mile distant. The track is very rough for the last half of the short climb to the saddle, but fine for hiking.
At the saddle, I angled left and started walking a gentle incline toward the peak. Whereas the surrounding peaks here all have cliffs surrounding the summit, this peak is just a nice ramp to the top, no cliffs to bar the way.
The track goes a little more then ends at what may have been an old prospect. Beyond it, I just stepped upward on the volcanic rocks and scattered brush, arriving on top about a half hour after starting. It was a short hike, not even a mile one way.
The top is open with fine views everywhere. With the giant Superstition Mountains nearby, it would be impossible not to have fantastic views. Also, the wind wasn't as strong here, just a normal soft breeze. It was still chilly, but very comfortable.
I found a register in a cairn. It had more signatures than I would have expected, a number of them being hunters. I signed in and stuck around on top for about ten minutes, enjoying the views and in no hurry to descend.
The hike down went well, the grade almost perfect for a quick downhill hike/jog. I was back to my car twenty minutes later. I changed and started the drive out.
Peralta Road is always popular. It is a dirt hardpack road but wide and graded, passable by any vehicle. So I got in behind a big pickup truck, this guy going about ten miles an hour. I had no choice but to ride behind him. It's not possible to pass with the consistent oncoming traffic. This road can easily be driven at 30 miles per hour safely. Some people get on these roads and drive like they're scared to death.
I was back in town about a half hour later where I cleaned up and taught my classes.
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