Loco Mountain Loop

Loco Mountain’s mining roads date back to the 1890s gold rush, when prospectors carved impossible routes up these brutal Sonoran peaks chasing quartz veins. The loop begins innocuously from Harquahala Road but quickly turns serious with 18-percent grades, loose rock switchbacks, and sections where the trail clings to cliff edges with zero margin for error. Abandoned mine shafts and rusted equipment mark the high country, remnants of fortune seekers who earned this mountain its name.

Experienced technical drivers only — this route demands low-range crawling, precise wheel placement, and solid skid plate protection. Aggressive all-terrain tires minimum, but many sections favor more aggressive tread. October through March provides bearable temperatures; summer attempts are dangerous. No permits but notify someone of your plans — cell service disappears quickly and recovery is complicated. The summit rewards with 360-degree views across the Sonoran Desert to the distant Colorado River, making this challenging loop a true test of both vehicle and driver capability.