Redwic - Jul 5, 2023 9:07 am Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2023
Great hike!
I thought this was a great hike. I parked in the pullout spot immediately prior to the gate, placed a copy of my permit on the dashboard, and then hiked the easy-to-follow road and then trail system. The trail basically disappears at the top of the mesa in the forest, but getting to the summit was not difficult as I had another person's GPS track. No views from the summit, but great views from the picnic table located where the trail reaches the top of the mesa. 1H45M ascent, 1H30M descent.
mstender - Nov 12, 2016 10:38 pm Date Climbed: Nov 12, 2016
Yazzi Route
Hiked with Jay Dolan. We both completed our AZ CoHP list with this one. Congrats to Jay!
We took the Yazzi route and parked near a gate (not locked) about 0.5 miles away from the water tanks. We lost the trail a couple of times but if you pay attention it is pretty straight forward.
sbkelley - Nov 17, 2008 11:16 am Date Climbed: Nov 15, 2008
Black Mesa
Hiked with matt (del_sur). Saw nobody up there the entire day except for some locals along the road, and enjoyed sweeping views off to the north. We went over Kayenta BM first going along the rim. A little brush-bashing is to be expected, but navigation isn't difficult if you stay near the rim. A very unique hike.
oldadit - Aug 7, 2008 6:58 pm Date Climbed: Aug 16, 1992
AZ Completion
Black Mesa is often the completion hike for
AZ county High pointers. I finished here in 1992,
my wife in 1997. The views off the north are
pretty neat.
Words of advice from Sarah: don't drift far from the
rim with no:
1. map
2. compass
3. GPS
4. sense of direction
5. clue where you are
Dean - Apr 18, 2008 11:38 am Date Climbed: Apr 16, 2008
15+ mile day
SP'er Dennis Poulin and I followed the Surgent road description and it worked beautifully. We parked away from the road and walked from there so it added some distance. One minor routefinding error added a mile or so but we had a near perfect day for doing this hike. Either Dennis or myself will put up a trip report as this one was one we enjoyed. We also found our way to the Kayenta benchmark and found a register there, signed only by the two who placed it there in 2005.
Dartmouth Hiker - Oct 25, 2007 4:02 pm Date Climbed: Sep 12, 2007
I summitted...but at what cost?
Went with Scott Peavy, who needed only Black Mesa to complete the AZ county highpoints. I impaled my leg on a dead branch about two miles in, but luckily the bleeding stopped and I was able to hobble to the "top" and back using Scott's trekking poles. The wound is still healing well, but the scar will be there much longer...
A fascinating/weird place to hike, but it's probably not a bad idea to have someone with you!
surgent - Mar 23, 2006 8:24 pm Date Climbed: May 30, 2004
Success (twice!)
My first time at this highpoint was in 2000 (June 4, my b-day) with 2 fellow hikers. I came back with my wife and 3 others in May 2004. The second time was definitely easier, but still a long day.
Redwic - Jul 5, 2023 9:07 am Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2023
Great hike!I thought this was a great hike. I parked in the pullout spot immediately prior to the gate, placed a copy of my permit on the dashboard, and then hiked the easy-to-follow road and then trail system. The trail basically disappears at the top of the mesa in the forest, but getting to the summit was not difficult as I had another person's GPS track. No views from the summit, but great views from the picnic table located where the trail reaches the top of the mesa. 1H45M ascent, 1H30M descent.
mstender - Nov 12, 2016 10:38 pm Date Climbed: Nov 12, 2016
Yazzi RouteHiked with Jay Dolan. We both completed our AZ CoHP list with this one. Congrats to Jay!
We took the Yazzi route and parked near a gate (not locked) about 0.5 miles away from the water tanks. We lost the trail a couple of times but if you pay attention it is pretty straight forward.
sbkelley - Nov 17, 2008 11:16 am Date Climbed: Nov 15, 2008
Black MesaHiked with matt (del_sur). Saw nobody up there the entire day except for some locals along the road, and enjoyed sweeping views off to the north. We went over Kayenta BM first going along the rim. A little brush-bashing is to be expected, but navigation isn't difficult if you stay near the rim. A very unique hike.
oldadit - Aug 7, 2008 6:58 pm Date Climbed: Aug 16, 1992
AZ CompletionBlack Mesa is often the completion hike for
AZ county High pointers. I finished here in 1992,
my wife in 1997. The views off the north are
pretty neat.
Words of advice from Sarah: don't drift far from the
rim with no:
1. map
2. compass
3. GPS
4. sense of direction
5. clue where you are
Dean - Apr 18, 2008 11:38 am Date Climbed: Apr 16, 2008
15+ mile daySP'er Dennis Poulin and I followed the Surgent road description and it worked beautifully. We parked away from the road and walked from there so it added some distance. One minor routefinding error added a mile or so but we had a near perfect day for doing this hike. Either Dennis or myself will put up a trip report as this one was one we enjoyed. We also found our way to the Kayenta benchmark and found a register there, signed only by the two who placed it there in 2005.
Dartmouth Hiker - Oct 25, 2007 4:02 pm Date Climbed: Sep 12, 2007
I summitted...but at what cost?Went with Scott Peavy, who needed only Black Mesa to complete the AZ county highpoints. I impaled my leg on a dead branch about two miles in, but luckily the bleeding stopped and I was able to hobble to the "top" and back using Scott's trekking poles. The wound is still healing well, but the scar will be there much longer...
A fascinating/weird place to hike, but it's probably not a bad idea to have someone with you!
surgent - Mar 23, 2006 8:24 pm Date Climbed: May 30, 2004
Success (twice!)My first time at this highpoint was in 2000 (June 4, my b-day) with 2 fellow hikers. I came back with my wife and 3 others in May 2004. The second time was definitely easier, but still a long day.