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This is a short but very intense route with two sections of scrambling involved.


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Map Key

3.4

Miles

5.5

KM

Out and Back

3,530' 1,076 m

High

2,250' 686 m

Low

1,490' 454 m

Up

1,489' 454 m

Down

16%

Avg Grade (9°)

93%

Max Grade (43°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

Safford Peak sits along the northern edge of Saguaro National Park and provides us with 0.7 miles of fairly easy hiking followed by one additional mile of elevation gain with two sections of scrambling.

Need to Know

This route is exposed to the sun and requires some basic route-finding skills. Come prepared, and the route is a blast!

Description

Don't let your experience along Scenic Trail make you think that this will be an easy summit. This short route provides many challenges from a slightly rocky first ascent on Safford Peak Trail that will bring you to the first saddle. From here, you'll continue to gain elevation along the northeast side of the mountain until you are looking up at a large rock wall on the east side. At this point, you'll have reached the section of the trail that will circumnavigate you around to the west side of Safford Peak for two more sections of ascending.

Once you reach the west side, you'll notice a very dry, dusty, and rocky mountain face where it is possible to lose the trail. Pay close attention to a few key saguaros that you can use as a reference along your descent. Once you reach the highest saddle, you'll encounter one last section of the journey where you'll need to scramble down a slope and then back up to the highest point on the south side.

There is an old ammo box with a log up here. Be sure to treat the log with care as many people just turn it into a scribble pad.

Contacts

Shared By:

Niall Murphy

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 17 votes

#2559

Overall
  4.1 from 17 votes
5 Star
41%
4 Star
41%
3 Star
6%
2 Star
6%
1 Star
6%
Recommended Route Rankings

#110

in Arizona

#2,559

Overall
27 Views Last Month
5,056 Since Aug 29, 2016
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
0%
5%
79%
16%

Photos

Fantastic saguaros near the summit
Dec 26, 2017 near Picture…, AZ
On the way down from the summit - 1400 steep feet above this point.
Dec 26, 2017 near Picture…, AZ
Near the summit of Mt Stafford
Dec 26, 2017 near Picture…, AZ
On the summit
Jan 17, 2024 near Picture…, AZ
Stafford Peak trail looking west toward the peak!
Dec 17, 2015 near Picture…, AZ
Beautiful view of the desert
Aug 10, 2019 near Picture…, AZ
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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Check-Ins

Apr 14, 2024
Jim
112th summit before I hung it up. 4mi — 1h 50m
Mar 17, 2024
Jim
105 summits and always a great training hike. Just use caution going down as it can be dangerous on that scree. 4mi — 1h 45m
Jan 15, 2024
Jim
Good hike, done almost 100 times. Can be lose when popular in winter, and it is dry.
Jan 3, 2024
hdjohnson
With Bennett 3.4mi — 1h 54m
Jun 3, 2023
hdjohnson
Pushed a bit 3.4mi — 1h 58m
Jan 27, 2023
hdjohnson
w/ Aaron 3.9mi — 3h 17m
Jan 13, 2023
Mary Anderson
Lots of cholla forests. Very rocky and steep but fun. Got stung by a bee under my hat at the top 5mi — 4h 30m
Dec 29, 2022
hdjohnson
Katie, Emma and Chloe 3.8mi — 3h 48m
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