Arizona · Hiking

Mckittrick

11.9 mi
round trip
184 ft
climb
9,317 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Mckittrick open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. It doesn't name Mckittrick, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

McKittrick is a hard hike in Arizona's Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, on the Alpine Ranger District. The trail is an out-and-back route from the Blue Peak Trailhead, where the parking area is listed as BLUE PEAK TH. It is open year-round. The climb starts at about 6,594 feet and reaches a high point of 9,317 feet. The trail is 11.9 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 184 feet. The trail is natural-surface, and horses are allowed. Bikes are not, and the trail is not accessible. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically June through September, when typical averages from the nearby Sunrise Mtn weather station, at a similar elevation, run from 70 to 71°F for highs and 37 to 44°F for lows. Winter is much colder, with typical highs around 42°F and lows in the teens. Blue Cabin Ruins sits just 0.1 mile away, and Raspberry and Strayhorse Campground are each about 0.8 mile off. Crabtree Park Trail is roughly 1.3 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Mckittrick

    Best months: June–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      42° / 11°

    2. Feb

      42° / 15°

    3. Mar

      46° / 21°

    4. Apr

      53° / 25°

    5. May

      62° / 31°

    6. Jun

      71° / 37°

    7. Jul

      71° / 44°

    8. Aug

      70° / 43°

    9. Sep

      67° / 37°

    10. Oct

      60° / 27°

    11. Nov

      51° / 21°

    12. Dec

      42° / 14°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sunrise Mtn, AZ, 31.8 mi away at 9,370 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Route details

Distance
11.9 mi round trip
Climbing
About 184 ft
Starts at
Blue Peak Trailhead (about 8,887 ft)
Summit
9,356 ft
Difficulty
Hard
Time
About 4 hours

Getting there

Park at BLUE PEAK TH.

Season

Season: Year-round.

Questions about this route

How long is the Mckittrick on Blue Peak?

About 11.9 mi round trip from Blue Peak Trailhead (about 8,887 ft).

How much elevation gain is on the Mckittrick?

About 184 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Mckittrick?

It is rated hard.

Where does the Mckittrick start?

Blue Peak Trailhead (about 8,887 ft).

How long does the Mckittrick take?

About 4 hours round trip.

When is the best time for the Mckittrick?

Year-round.

Conditions and forecast on Blue Peak

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.