"We took a very direct south ridge ascent route up to Peak 5354 first and then traversed the ridge line between there and Muddy Mountains Highpoint. The ridge line connection has a couple of interesting, challenging spots to ascend and descend but overall a very scenic, fun route. You will need to make a couple of high Class 3 (maybe low Class 4) moves on the traverse. There are a lot of up and downs on the routes. The descent route was similar to some that I have seen done, but we chose to go a little more direct at one point. The more direct route meant that we had to climb up and over a ridge crossing may shallow washes on the way up. It was an extremely windy day and very cold, so we wanted to take the most direct route back to the cars. I will post a track. Notes about the track: We drove farther up the wash than maybe we should have. The route will have some exposure and climbing that you may or may not be comfortable with. If you use the track, use it for directional purposes only. " — Heartattackbruce • Jan 22, 2023

"The south roads are still negotiable by a vehicle with about 7" clearance, AND careful driving. The recent rains have washed away the tracks, and left a rocky surface with some new washouts. LOOK BEFORE YOU CHARGE AHEAD in your vehicle. The ridge between 5354 and Muddy HiPt was 'interesting.' The bad news: Gale HiPt has just 197' prominence. The good news: Gale HiPt has just 197' prominence, so if you take this route, you won't have to loose that much elevation." — hwstock • Jan 21, 2023

"4.5.19~14 miles, 3,700’ gain in the most heinous terrain only the Muddy Mountains can deliver up (including a 3 peak traverse of the ridge West of Lovell Canyon.) Peak 5,354’, 5,242’, Muddy Highpoint and Lovell Canyon back to my car. I’m calling it the stupid loop (CW) as I ascended a Ridge East of the Gale Hills that wasn’t as direct as I would have liked. I thought this traverse was going to be reasonable but it was super gnarly and I had to use all my class 3 climbing skills as there were hidden cliffs and creepy sections that don’t reveal themselves until you head across. To get up peak 5,242’ I had to climb class 3 with agave dagger landlines threatening every body part with a stab. I impressed myself with that one. 7th week coming out here and the flowers are blooming like crazy. I stashed some water near Muddy HP for another visit. I saw lots of sheep. It was a beautiful warm breezy day. I absolutely love coming out here to this remote paradise. It’s my Happy place. Soon it will be too hot to come back." — paula.raimondi • Apr 5, 2019

"3.22.19~Solo Muddy Double. Muddy Mtn Peak & Muddy HP Loop. 2 peaks, 19.3 miles, 5,200’ gain, 10:50 hrs. My route was obnoxious and not likely done by anyone. Up Lovell wash to Harlan’s ascent route (& my dryfall bypass deviation) to Muddy Peak, back down to the wash at 3,900’, then up the end of the wash, up to the saddle & on to Muddy HP, then Gale Hills descent back to my car. This was by far one of the toughest treks I’ve ever accomplished. The Muddy Wilderness is a beautiful and remote area. The terrain is relentless, rough, loose, sharp and unforgiving. There is never any sections I can relax on. I had to keep strong focus the whole time and it was exhausting. I was in heaven and hell all at the same time and I didn’t have to die to get there....The sun and heat were intense today and I rarely had a breeze. I consumed all of my 3 liters of water and had to ration at the end. I should have brought 5. This is my 5th week coming out here. I was determined to make happy memories out here to chase away the bad ones. I accomplished that. Thanks Harlan for teaching me how to become a strong, competent & self reliant mountaineer. No Demons here. Muddy Peak #2 Muddy HP #3" — paula.raimondi • Mar 22, 2019

"3.9.19. Muddy Mountains Highpoint (again) and a failed attempt at Double Muddy. Nearly 16 miles, 4,000’ gain, 7:47hrs. I saw huge herds of Bighorn Sheep today. One herd had at least 40 sheep. With a steady hard effort for 6 miles, I arrived at the top of the peak in 3:16hrs via the West End wash and scrambling up through the Gale Hills... (I drove my car nearly a mile farther into the desert this time.) The rest of the time was :23 min on the summit (photographing every page of the reg.), exploration and returning to my car. I replaced the ziplock bag that contained the 41 year old Register note pad so it doesn’t deteriorate. After the peak I proceeded to traverse over to Muddy Mtn but hit cliffs right away so I dropped down to go around them and ended up too far away and too low so I bailed out and descended into Lovell wash. Great workout regardless. 3rd week I’ve come out here. I enjoy it every time. Lots of solitude." — paula.raimondi • Mar 9, 2019

"3.3.19. Muddy BM/Range Highpoint. 16.2 miles, 3,700’ gain, 6:35hr total time. 7 miles to the summit in 3:40hr, :15min on top, 9.2 miles down in 2:40hr... This was one the fastest and most beautiful, solo Mountaineering experiences of my life. Rough terrain...scrambling up the Gale Hills canyon, scampering across the hilly open land, trekking up the steep rocky ridge to the summit, clambering down the drainage to Lovell wash from the summit, running in the rocky Lovell wash and running the washes and Jeep pathways back to my car. I was very surprised to be greeted by 4 Wild Horses at the Mouth of Lovell Wash Canyon. I didn’t know they were out in this area. They were strong and healthy looking too. Lots of sheep along the way. Amazing day. I felt so strong and I did not suffer one bit even though it was a sufferfest of epic proportions....And my Kia Soul is a champ getting me 2.5 miles on West End Wash Rd without getting stuck in the sand even though it’s NOT even a 4x4! It saved me from doing a 22 miler. " — paula.raimondi • Mar 3, 2019

"We took the Southern route up Muddy Mountains Highpoint. We followed the road as far as we could go, and proceeded up the wash from there on foot. The wash was long - much longer than I thought (it seemed interminable on the way back) before hitting the climb up to the saddle. From the saddle, the going was fairly easy - uphill, but easy-to-navigate terrain. Seeing the original summit register with signatures dating all the way back to 1976 was a cool experience! The wind got rather raw and nasty at the peak after we ate, so we descended quickly. Other than the wind, the weather was perfect. A great day!" — psychikingjes • Jan 26, 2019

"Hiked up to Muddy Mountains Highpoint via the Southern Route. I had been up there once before from the North, but Amber & Jessica hadn't. It was cold & windy at the summit, but not too bad otherwise." — Kevin • Jan 26, 2019

"Great Hike in the Muddy Mountains, Good workout even though a bit rusty being away from the Mountains for quiet a while. Perfect weather and not Hot yet!!Climbed Muddy Peak first and continued to the Benchmark. " — Nuernberger • May 5, 2016

"We parked at the Muddy Peak Trailhead sign off of Bitter Springs Trail, then crossed Hidden Canyon to the hoodoo gully. It took us 3 hours to the peak. We saw 2 bighorns on the way up! Also, there are a ton of arches & windows along the route." — Kevin • Jan 3, 2012