weeds19 - Aug 8, 2007 12:35 am Date Climbed: Mar 28, 2003
Cold day
The top section of the peak was covered in snow making the summit a bit harder to attain. I also lost the trail on the way down in the dark and had to retrace my step for quite a while before finally getting back on track. This is a neat part of AZ that probably doesn't get too many visitors.
Tracy - Jun 29, 2007 2:19 pm Date Climbed: Nov 14, 2009
standard trail route
I had attempted this peak previously; shortly after midnight on a trip back home to Henderson, NV from Williams, AZ on June 29, 2007. I detoured out the Aspen Peak Trail and back where I saw the silhouette of Hualapai Peak in the moonlit sky. I then found the road and the "Y" intersection mentioned in Dennis Poulin's trip report. After losing what felt like "too much" elevation, and then being spooked several times by night critters (glowing eyes and rustling in the trees & bushes), and then to top that off with a "gusher" of a bloody nose, I decided I would save it for another time.
"Another time" came about on Nov. 14, 2009. A brisk fall day with scattered clouds. I was hiking in the company of Steve and Tyrell Stembridge, Justin McEwen, and Cody Cureton. The last 100+ feet to the top of the summit block was fun. Cody did a great job of overcoming his fear of heights and was succesful (along with Tyrell) in reaching the summit benchmark. I took advantage of my long stride and leaped across a five foot wide, 12 to 15-foot deep gap to the actual highest point. Justin climbed across the gap and Steve came up another way from the north. From Hualapai Peak, Justin and I bushwacked our way along the ridge line over to Hayden Peak which involves a lot of up and down scrambling, route finding, very thick and tall thorny plants, and other thick undergrowth. That half mile took about an hour.
ericnoel - Apr 21, 2007 12:42 am Date Climbed: Apr 20, 2007
Aspen Potato Road Route
Took the standard way up as suggested in surgent's TR, the brushy class 2 route to the top. Actually it wasn't really brushy in the least, sub-BW1, but what plants that are there happen to have a lot of thorns so blood was donated. Anyway, found the BM on the lower boulder and then tagged the slightly taller boulder next to it. This blocky peak looks potentially formidable from well below but once you get up there the scramble is very easy to the summit boulder which features good holds on the last move to get you up OK. There looked to be several routes of class 3-4 possible from other angles but the standard one that takes off from a leftward switchback towards the right skyline is clearly the easiest way.
Dennis Poulin - Nov 22, 2006 5:49 pm Date Climbed: Nov 18, 2006
Potato Patch and Roads
I only got lost twice on the roads leading to the trail. Hayden is a nice diversion but adds about 2 miles and 800ft of Elevation Gain to the hike.
Bubblehead721 - May 26, 2006 2:29 am Date Climbed: Apr 21, 2006
Aspen Peak
Went on leave to see my friend B who lives in Kingman, and seeing the mountains when we went up just to look around sparked something in me from when i was young to mountain climb. So me and my buddy went up there 2 days later. Was one of the better times of my life. He wasnt in as good of shape as me so he quit about a quarter into aspen trail. I hauled up the rest, which was a workout. Had to seemingly make my own paths on a couple of places, but at the top I spidermanned up this one rock to the highest spot up there. The view cant be taken by a camera because it doesnt do justice. Going after Haualapai peak this summer.
Beautiful area and interesting geology. Great day with zero snow so far this year and dry with about 50 degrees on top. Easy to get off-route with all the service roads and side trails but I found my way to the top after a short south and west side fourth class scramble. I went back down via the north and east side class two/three route - shoulda seen that earlier!
I started in the afternoon after a fun morning doing Mt. Union with Bill J and Rick H. The summit scramble was the best part and this may be the best time of the year to do this one, when there is some snow which eliminates the bees, snakes and the heat. I saw two other folks who quit at the #14 sign as they didn't want to tackle the last bit.
Route Climbed: Aspen Trail Date Climbed: The 80's, 90's, & 00's
Actually climbed peak 8161. First time in the winter with my nephew Andy, the second with my wife, brother, sister, and her husband. Unfortunately I broke the wine bottle while opening, much to the delight of my brother's dog Auste. The last time was with rusty6 (my son), my nephews Andy and Derek, my wife, sister, and brother. I am glade to report no wine or beer was wasted!
weeds19 - Aug 8, 2007 12:35 am Date Climbed: Mar 28, 2003
Cold dayThe top section of the peak was covered in snow making the summit a bit harder to attain. I also lost the trail on the way down in the dark and had to retrace my step for quite a while before finally getting back on track. This is a neat part of AZ that probably doesn't get too many visitors.
Tracy - Jun 29, 2007 2:19 pm Date Climbed: Nov 14, 2009
standard trail routeI had attempted this peak previously; shortly after midnight on a trip back home to Henderson, NV from Williams, AZ on June 29, 2007. I detoured out the Aspen Peak Trail and back where I saw the silhouette of Hualapai Peak in the moonlit sky. I then found the road and the "Y" intersection mentioned in Dennis Poulin's trip report. After losing what felt like "too much" elevation, and then being spooked several times by night critters (glowing eyes and rustling in the trees & bushes), and then to top that off with a "gusher" of a bloody nose, I decided I would save it for another time.
"Another time" came about on Nov. 14, 2009. A brisk fall day with scattered clouds. I was hiking in the company of Steve and Tyrell Stembridge, Justin McEwen, and Cody Cureton. The last 100+ feet to the top of the summit block was fun. Cody did a great job of overcoming his fear of heights and was succesful (along with Tyrell) in reaching the summit benchmark. I took advantage of my long stride and leaped across a five foot wide, 12 to 15-foot deep gap to the actual highest point. Justin climbed across the gap and Steve came up another way from the north. From Hualapai Peak, Justin and I bushwacked our way along the ridge line over to Hayden Peak which involves a lot of up and down scrambling, route finding, very thick and tall thorny plants, and other thick undergrowth. That half mile took about an hour.
ericnoel - Apr 21, 2007 12:42 am Date Climbed: Apr 20, 2007
Aspen Potato Road RouteTook the standard way up as suggested in surgent's TR, the brushy class 2 route to the top. Actually it wasn't really brushy in the least, sub-BW1, but what plants that are there happen to have a lot of thorns so blood was donated. Anyway, found the BM on the lower boulder and then tagged the slightly taller boulder next to it. This blocky peak looks potentially formidable from well below but once you get up there the scramble is very easy to the summit boulder which features good holds on the last move to get you up OK. There looked to be several routes of class 3-4 possible from other angles but the standard one that takes off from a leftward switchback towards the right skyline is clearly the easiest way.
Dennis Poulin - Nov 22, 2006 5:49 pm Date Climbed: Nov 18, 2006
Potato Patch and RoadsI only got lost twice on the roads leading to the trail. Hayden is a nice diversion but adds about 2 miles and 800ft of Elevation Gain to the hike.
Bubblehead721 - May 26, 2006 2:29 am Date Climbed: Apr 21, 2006
Aspen PeakWent on leave to see my friend B who lives in Kingman, and seeing the mountains when we went up just to look around sparked something in me from when i was young to mountain climb. So me and my buddy went up there 2 days later. Was one of the better times of my life. He wasnt in as good of shape as me so he quit about a quarter into aspen trail. I hauled up the rest, which was a workout. Had to seemingly make my own paths on a couple of places, but at the top I spidermanned up this one rock to the highest spot up there. The view cant be taken by a camera because it doesnt do justice. Going after Haualapai peak this summer.
Don Nelsen - Dec 21, 2005 2:38 pm
Route Climbed: trail Date Climbed: Dec 20, 2005Beautiful area and interesting geology. Great day with zero snow so far this year and dry with about 50 degrees on top. Easy to get off-route with all the service roads and side trails but I found my way to the top after a short south and west side fourth class scramble. I went back down via the north and east side class two/three route - shoulda seen that earlier!
Two hours up, one hour down.
Dean - Apr 12, 2005 5:05 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: 4-11-05I started in the afternoon after a fun morning doing Mt. Union with Bill J and Rick H. The summit scramble was the best part and this may be the best time of the year to do this one, when there is some snow which eliminates the bees, snakes and the heat. I saw two other folks who quit at the #14 sign as they didn't want to tackle the last bit.
easleygone - Apr 4, 2005 12:21 am
Route Climbed: Potato Patch Date Climbed: Oct 1998Stayed at the "lodge".......you need to bring everything
including your own pillow! Climbed two other nearby
peaks,seens like one was called Aspen Peak. All
in all in was a good climb and a lot of fun.
WRGruener - Jan 17, 2005 4:46 pm
Route Climbed: Aspen Trail Date Climbed: The 80's, 90's, & 00'sActually climbed peak 8161. First time in the winter with my nephew Andy, the second with my wife, brother, sister, and her husband. Unfortunately I broke the wine bottle while opening, much to the delight of my brother's dog Auste. The last time was with rusty6 (my son), my nephews Andy and Derek, my wife, sister, and brother. I am glade to report no wine or beer was wasted!
rusty6 - Apr 24, 2004 12:46 am
Route Climbed: potato patch route Date Climbed: 4/18/04my cousin and i had a great climbing this peak. i feel its a nice hike for a boring day when you have nothing else to do.
rusty6 - Apr 24, 2004 12:45 am
Route Climbed: potato patch route Date Climbed: 4/18/04my cousin and i had a great climbing this peak. i feel its a nice hike for a boring day when you have nothing else to do.
surgent - Aug 21, 2003 3:40 pm Date Climbed: May 13, 2000
Route Climbed: Aspen - Potato Patch route Date Climbed: May 13, 2000My niece Emma was born this day as I made the hike! Came back in Oct of 2003 to hike it with my wife.