On January 21 I drove out from Gonzales Canyon near Mohon Peak, over the Aquarius Mountains, and north on US 93. My goal this day was to climb Peacock Peak, the highpoint of the Peacock Mountains northeast of Kingman, Arizona. Peacock Peak is the 60th most prominent peak in Arizona with 2092 feet of topographic prominence. It also has 11.9 miles of isolation.
Just before entering Kingman from the east on I-40 I turned north onto Arizona Highway 66. Soon I turned off the highway, passed by the Mohave Airport, and drove north and east towards the Peacock Mountains over broad dirt roads. I passed through a broad area that appeared to be an abandoned residential development, someone’s dream of many years ago. It now consists of patches of abandoned vehicles and scattered old RVs.
Just below the western slopes of the Peacock Mountains I turned onto rocky Hensz Road that led steeply up the lower slopes of the mountains. This road suddenly ended at a berm where I parked my Jeep. From there I began my climb of Peacock Peak which rose directly to my east.
There was no maintained trail but game and boot tracks provided routes through most of the brush on the steep lower slopes. I gained a sinuous ridgeline and followed it up towards the dense brush and forest and protruding cliffs higher on the mountain.
The brush got thicker higher on the route, but most was avoidable and none particularly thorny. I climbed between cliffs and under trees to reach the summit block, then found an easy scramble route to the summit.
The summit views were unobstructed in all directions, with some distant haze. I recognized Mohon Peak in the distant southeast and Hualapai Peak to the south, both peaks I have previously visited.
The Cerbat Mountains rose to the west. I plan to visit Tipton Peak in the Cerbat Mountains next year and perhaps Cherum Peak after that.
The Grand Wash Cliffs lie to the north and I thought I recognized them. I expect to visit the highpoint of the Grand Wash Cliffs within the next two years. I could not identify any peaks to the east, although I know of two isolation peaks that lie in that direction.
The summit registry contained many familiar names. After a short stay on the summit I descended the same route towards the Hualapai Valley to return to my Jeep. I paused often to view Peacock Peak in afternoon light.
I drove to Kingman for a quick meal and then on to Lake Havasu City in the dark for an early start on another peak the next day. The Peacock Mountains are a scenic mountain range and I was glad to have visited them.
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