Hike El Castillo and El Trono Mount Nutt Wilderness BLM, AZ

Jan 18, 2021 — El Castillo (The Castle) is the first peak you encounter when heading into the Mount Nutt Wilderness BLM, and it's the more popular peak (while still seeing minimal visitation) of the area. I later learned the peak is known to some locals as Quail Butte. We headed into the area from the north, navigating into Golden Valley and turning here (35.22611, -114.30686) onto Egar Road and following it to here (35.18532, -114.30685) onto Bolsa Drive. We followed this road to its end where it turned left and a road diverted to the right here (35.18003, -114.34214). We followed this road past a cattle guard and continued west. 2WD could make it to the parking spot, but expect some sand.

From the trailhead, we followed a dirt road leading northwest, leaving it to enter a major drainage coming down from El Castillo. We encountered some bushwhacking, but it can be mostly avoided if you keep to the right of the drainage. We worked our way up somewhat brushy and bouldery terrain, passing a pinnacle on our right. From here you could continue within the gully and reach the saddle of El Castillo and its neighbor to the northwest. A Class 3 move would lead up from the saddle. However, we decided to ascend via a ramp just beneath the cliffs of El Castillo. Either way would work. We found ourselves at the base of El Castillo and followed its summit cliff base until we could gain access (Class 2) to the summit ridgeline. While fun, El Castillo ended up being less climactic than anticipated. It just couldn't compare to the previous day's routefinding on the Secret Pass Breakfast Peaks. That being said, it's got some nice views and an interesting route. We spied a peak to the west which we later dubbed "El Trono" (The Throne), and decided to give it a shot. We backtracked below El Castillo's cliffs and worked our way to the saddle between it and its lower neighbor, which we'd have to wrap around to get down. There was a Class 3 move (which you would have ascended had you gone up to the saddle previously to access El Castillo), and then some easy side-hilling along the base of the lower neighbor's cliffs. We descended the easy west slope down to a dirt road. This is the same dirt road we'd use later to get back to the car.

We headed up the somewhat steep east slope of El Trono, hoping to locate a route. An interesting tunnel-like slope brought us to the west side of the peak. We attempted to ascend the Class 4/5 north scrambling because it looked fun, but this would lead to a very exposed ridge later, so I don't recommend it. Instead, we continued south at the base of El Trono's cliffs and found a nice Class 3 ladder-like ramp scramble. Class 2 led to the summit from here. I'll note that accessing this peak would likely be easier from the west rather than ascending from the east, but I don't know what the drive would be like to get out there. After taking in the views we headed back the way we came and returned to the trailhead via the same dirt road we came in on.