Tortilla Peak
11.8 mi3,328 ft
4,869 ft
2,907 ft
Tough adventure to the top of Tortilla Peak, with an off-trail descent that follows a few small creeks and goes through fields of catclaw.
Photos
Morning light on Tortilla Peak
Small, rocky hole of Kane Spring
Looking east towards Black Cross Butte
Start of the off-trail climb
Shadows clinging to the sides of Music Mountain
Slowly approaching the first saddle
Old ranching remains on the saddle
A prickly ramp up the ridge
More overgrown ramp to climb
Slowly getting closer to that peak
Shattered rocks in a cracking cave
A hellish chute to climb
Yet another loose, overgrown climb
The very tip-top of Tortilla Peak in sight
Fun, rugged climb to the top
Long view south, back over the route up and lands beyond
Full length of the Superstition Ridgeline
Looking down on Malapais Mountain
Four Peaks to the north
Big view of the eastern Superstitions
Last look back at the peak
Relatively easy hiking over rocks and stalks
And then the ground sloped
Looking down on saddle between Tortilla Peak and the red ridge
Drainage leading north towards Peter's Canyon
Red rocks on the opposite ridge
A lot of descent left to go
Back at Tortilla Peak, across the drainage
Looking down into catclaw country
Surrounded by prickly plants
Looking back at the rolling hills
A small, grassy reservoir below tanks
Looking back up the rock tanks and dam upstream
Pleasant waterfall along the creek
Shaded section of the canyon
Brush (non-prickly) along the climb
The last descent over Tortilla Creek
A veritable farm of prickly pear
Bright sun over the hills of Tortilla
Along the way
Spring 1
- Kane Spring
Creek 1
- Tortilla Creek crossing
Mountain 1
- Tortilla Peak
Ranch 1
- Tortilla Ranch
Trailhead 2
- FR 213
- Tortilla Trailhead
Junction 1
- Offtrail Start