Mount Bangs is the highest peak in the Virgin Mountains of Arizona. It is located in the Paiute Wilderness Area, one of the extremely remote wilderness areas of the Arizona Strip. It is distinctly higher than all the other peaks in the area, and rises dramatically when viewed from the Mojave Desert to the west. A good trail runs north/south near the mountain which facilitates access, however to reach the top some bushwhacking is required as well as some scrambling as the top is composed of piles of large boulders.

On USGS maps it is labeled as Mount Bangs, however the benchmarks that are driven into the summit denote it as Hancock Peak. Don't be confused when you see this as I was!! There is no summit register at the top, and it is doubtful that it sees much traffic. There is a faint trail leading through the brush near the top, and cairns occasionally marking the way over the boulders, but it is highly likely that you will need to pick your own route.

The Paiute Wilderness contains 84,700 acres and is wholly contained in Arizona. It's primary feature are the Virgin Mountains which extend into Nevada to Virgin Peak (8071'), the high point of the range. The Virgin River separates the range from the Beaver Dam Mountains (also partly protected as a Wilderness Area in both Utah and Arizona) to the north which continue for some distance into Utah.

Getting There

The peak can be accessed from either the north or the south. From the north the Sullivan Trail leads from the Virgin River Recreation Area just off of I-15 for 15 miles. The trailhead is 1.5mi downstream from the parking area ($2) and you must cross the Virgin River (if possible). The trail is apparently ill defined in places, but follows the Sullivan Canyon much of the way before eventually continuing along the spine of the Virgin Mountains on a jeep trail. I have not hiked this trail, so only those with good navigation skills, several days, and an adventurous spirit need apply.

The southern trailhead at Cougar Springs is reached after a long and rough road requiring 4x4 in parts. The way to the peak is considerably shorter from here, but the trailhead may be impossible to reach for many vehicles. Head south from St. George on I-15 for approximately 8 miles and take the Black Rock Road exit. Follow this road, BLM 1009 as it goes through the quarry and stay on it for around 20 miles. A high-clearance vehicle should have no problem with this road. There are many roads that leave this one, but if you stay on what is obviously the main road, you should not have any confusion. Look for road markers at junctions that read 1009. After driving for the 20 miles you will come to a junction where 1009 continues and 1004 branches off to the right. Take 1004 for approximately 13 miles over what at times is a very rough road. It takes you up and over Black Rock Mountain and in between the two sections of the Paiute Wilderness. Note that this section of the road is closed from November 15 to March 15. The next turn is a right which takes you to the trailhead after a short distance. However, the creek flowing down Cottonwood Wash here has currently washed out the road to such a degree that a high clearance 4x4 is absolutely necessary to cross it. A bit further up 1004 is another way that crosses the wash at a slightly easier place and connects back up with the other road. The road ends at barriers at the Cougar Spring Trailhead where the trail begins.

There are other ways to reach the southern trailhead, but this is the most convenient and if you want to look for other ways, help yourself, there's all sorts of BLM roads in this part of the state.

Red Tape

No permits are required, not that anyone would know you were out there anyways.

The Paiute Wilderness in which Mt. Bangs sits is administered by the BLM out of their field office in St. George.

Arizona Strip BLM Information Center
345 E. Riverside Drive
St. George, UT
(435) 688-3200

When To Climb

Spring and fall are the best times to do the peak. The summer sees extremely high temperatures and the peak is covered in snow in the winter. BLM 1004 which provides access from the south is closed in winter from 15 November to 15 March.

Camping

You can probably camp at the trailhead if you like, but there's not really any convenient place to camp on the mountain. There are a number of excellent campsites to the north along the Sullivan Trail within a half of a mile from where you leave the trail to go up the peak.