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ASPEN PEAK-POTATO PATCH LOOP
Hualapai Mountain Park,
Kingman
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| View from Aspen Peak |
In Arizona's northwest
corner, an archipelago of "biological sky islands" juts
from the desert around the town of Kingman providing cool respite for
heat-weary hikers. The roads and trails that ascend into the
razorback ridges and rounded granite pinnacles of the Hualapai
Mountains glide up from arid foothills through vegetation life zones
of chaparral, pine-oak, mixed conifer and fir-aspen. Occupying a band
of high elevation cool air and shady forests, the sprawling
recreational hub of Hualapai Mountain Park makes exploring this
diverse sphere of outdoor wonders a cinch.
The 2,300 acre park offers
camping, picnic sites and over 10 miles of hiking trails.
There's so much to see and
do here that you'll want to pitch a tent, park a RV or splurge on
"glamping" in one of the rustic rental cabins built by the
Civilian Conservation Corps. With your base camp established, grab a
map from the ranger station and hit the trails. The beautifully
illustrated map which complements the well-signed routes also
corresponds with numbered points along the trails and has tidbits on
the history and natural features visible at each stop. If you enjoy
climbing to high summits, there's plenty to keep you busy as trails
lead to Hayden Peak (8,390'), Hualapai Peak (8,417') and Aspen Peak
(8,124') while numerous overlooks with comfy benches offer more
casual ways to view the ring of mountain ranges flanking the park.
The park's signature trek--4.3-mile Potato Patch Loop--begins at the
main trail junction (#4 on the map) and forms sort of a wagon wheel
around the site with spokes connecting to major roads and trails.
The loop winds through thick forests, exposed edges and massive stone
outcroppings with expansive views all the way around. An optional
1.26-mile roundtrip hike up the Aspen Peak Trail leads to Dean Peak
Overlook (7,950') where you can relax and enjoy the vistas or
scramble to the true summit---a short haul that requires route
finding and some hand-over-foot climbing.
LENGTH: 4.3-mile loop (5.56 with Aspen
Peak)
RATING: moderate-difficult
ELEVATION: 6,486' - 7,950'
FEE: $7 day use (7 a.m. - 7 p.m.) See
website for camping & cabin rental rates.
GETTING THERE:
6250 Hualapai Mountain Road, Kingman.
From Phoenix, travel north on I-17 to
SR74 (Carefree Hwy) exit 223. Head west on SR74 to US 60,
turn right and continue to the US93 junction in Wickenburg. Take 93
north to I-40, head west to the DW Ranch Road exit 59, turn left and
follow the signs to the park.
INFO: Mohave County Parks, 928-681-5700
TRAILS MAP:
MORE PHOTOS:
