Date: January 20, 2026 • Elevation: 3,656 feet ✳ • Prominence: 341 feet • Distance: 2.8 miles • Time: 90 minutes • Gain: 475 feet • Conditions: Clear, cool and breezy

Arizona • Main • PB • LoJ • Interactive map

This little peak rises at the north end of the Ninety Six Hills. I was last here in early December when I climbed Peak 3760, the bigger peak to the south.

Today was my Tuesday drive into Tempe, with some time to stop for a quick hike. This peak looked promising as it had what looked like good road access. If I could drive some of these lesser roads, I could make the hike as short as a mile and a half each way.

I was on state route AZ-79 while still in the morning shadows, and to the turn-off onto the 96 Ranch Road (says the sign, Smoke Road says the map) about twenty minutes later. I went in, all the way past the 96 Ranch. After the east gate of the ranch, I went east another mile or so to another gate. On the other side is a junction with a road going northwest.

This road looked promising so I followed it. It was a little less maintained than the main road, but still a decent road. It had some mudpits and puddles, and a couple spots of uneven tread, but I was able to drive it over a mile to a corral structure, where I parked. The road bends away anyway, so this was the closest point of the road to the peak.

The day was cool but sunny, temperatures for now in the mid 40s. I got suited up and started the walk at 8:30 a.m.. I followed a smaller track west from the corral, but it bent north soon thereafter and was no longer useful as a route to follow.

I left the track and just made my way westbound through the undulating desert. It wasn't flat but instead features numerous little rises, ridges and small dips. The plants were spaced out so it was easy to make good time, not being slowed by rolling rocks or heavy brush.

I was soon in the foothills, so I continued to follow any open routes I could find, eventually placing myself at the base of the peak itself. The only challenge was the heavy cholla cactus thicket located here.

The slope was steep at first, but once on the east ridge, it mellowed slightly. Footing was stable, and I just slowly marched up the slope until I was on top, where I was greeted by a very large cairn about 6 feet in diameter, 4 feet high, with some delicately-balanced rocks at its very top. For a peak that likely sees few visitors, someone or some people spent a lot of time here to build such a large elaborate cairn.

It had taken me about 40 minutes to get here, covering 1.4 miles. I sat briefly for a break and to take in the scenery. I saw the usual peaks: Newman and Picacho to the west, The Superstitions to the north and east, Black Mountain and more Ninety Six Hills to the east and south. This being almost-contiguous State Trust land out here, there's very little development to mar the scenery. There was some low haze in the far distances toward Phoenix.

I returned the same way, making good time. I couldn't see my car for most of the walk out and there's very few large landmarks to reckon by. I used an odd-shaped saguaro cactus as my azimuth, and once near it, could see the corral and a shiny glint that was my car, and another larger shinier glint.

It was about this time I head voices. I looked around and to the south were two guys on horseback. I stopped to watch them and raise my arm, and one waved back. They were obviously the drivers of the aforementioned larger, shinier glint.

I was back to my car quickly, a round trip of 90 minutes. I'd barely broken a sweat. The drive out went well. I followed AZ-79 into Florence, then took US-60 into Tempe, arriving about another 90 minutes later.

This little peak was worth the time to drive to it and hike it. Since my time is restricted on Tuesdays, it was perfect for me.