Harquahala Mountain Summit Road

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4.7/5 (16 reviews)
Wenden, Arizona (Maricopa County)
Last Updated: 11/22/2021

Trail Information

Highlights

Arizona BLM is offering you a chance to feel like you are on top of the world. Harquahala Summit stands at over 3,300 feet. It provides small SUVs the opportunity to try out their 4wd capabilities. As you ascend the mountain, the terrain will turn from beautiful desert scenery to a rugged and rocky mountainside. At the summit, there are breathtaking views and a guest log to sign at the observatory. Near the windsock, you will find a marker embedded in a rock stating that you are at the highest point in SW Arizona. Along the side of the building, information is provided about the observatory and many of the questions you may have about the area. Be sure to go prepared for a rugged desert environment.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4.7/5 (17)
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12650
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 04/12/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

While this trail is not difficult, you have to be good at driving switchbacks with steep drop-offs. As the last reviewer wrote, the grader did go through the road. This created a several-foot-high embankment along the edge of most of the switchbacks. It is still rough and rocky and will require high clearance. Views going up, at the top, and coming down are just amazing. The trailhead has a nice gazebo area with information about the history of the area, trail, and plant life. Even saw a Gila Monster along the way!
Trail Review: Harquahala Mountain Summit Road - Todd Harkins
Trail Review: Harquahala Mountain Summit Road - Todd Harkins
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Open
Visited: 03/27/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

BLM ran dozer to the summit. Ran down high spots, filled in low spots and widened the road in places for pull outs. Not complaining, it was still a great day on the trail. And thankfully they didn’t blade the road to townsite. You will need a spotter and a high clearance rig to get down and back. Broke trailing arm mount on the way back up from the townsite. It was quite an adventure getting back to the staging area.
Trail Review: Harquahala Mountain Summit Road - John Hallett
Trail Review: Harquahala Mountain Summit Road - John Hallett
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This trail guide's difficulty was changed on 11/28/2021
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 11/20/2021
Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

This trail is definitely harder than rated. I would say 4x4 required. Pretty bumpy all the way with some steep loose climbs. Made it up with my new stock Gladiator Mojave but I had to pick some lines carefully. Definitely worth the trip!
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 11/18/2021
Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

This is our third time on this road and holy moley Batman, the monsoons were not kind to this road. Definitely a 4WD road right now. Tons of imbedded rocks and just incredibly rough all the way almost every yard of it. Took us over 90 minutes to go the 10 miles in a lifted Jeep. Met a guy from CAP ((they own the tower up top) and he said they’d have a guy work on the road later so hopefully it will improve soon. One other couple was up there in a side by side and the first thing said was how much worse the road is.

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