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Apr 20, 2020 — I've really been loving the craggy peaks of the east Whipple Mountains. Matt and I got some absolutely incredible views from the summit of Peak 2840, and this would likely be a great first hike to do in the area to get a sense for the peaks around here. We started east within a wash after parking along Trail End Camp Road, passable by any vehicle. There was the occasional bit of brush in our way, but overall it was a pleasant walk and there were a couple of pretty water-carved rock sections.
We followed the wash basically until it became more annoying to stay in it than to just ascend the steep slope on the east side of Peak 2840. I can't say where the best spot to ascend would be, some options steeper and rockier, others brushier. Our route worked well enough out of the wash, and we headed up the slope toward the base of an obvious cliff along the ridgeline. We didn't know if we could ascend this cliff and therefore decided to get close to it and find a route from there. There also seemed to be some potential cliffy obstacles south along the ridgeline, so we headed as directly to the cliff above as we could. Fortunately, a nice slopey ledge wrapped around the base of the cliff in question, taking us on Class 2 terrain safely to the west side of the ridge.
Once on the ridge we avoided the crest and instead just stayed to its left, confident we would get cliffed out since it looked pretty craggy. Talking and not paying attention on our descent later proved this was the case. After ascending along the ridge for a while toward Peak 2840, we reached a false summit and dropped down a bit in order to get over to the true summit. Along this section of ridgeline, I recommend highly that you stay close to the rim. The views are incredibly cool, and the sheer cliff walls are impressive.
Years later I returned to this peak from the north via a longer route that includes Scone Peak, if you're interested in checking that loop out.
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