Baboquivari Peak in Baboquivari Peak Wilderness BLM, AZ

Hike Baboquivari Peak Baboquivari Peak Wilderness BLM, AZ

Class 5 9.9 miles 4400 gain 6-8 hrs Out + Back Nov 12, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Baboquivari Peak GPX Track

I need to offset my substantial website costs somehow! You can download a hike/drive GPX to assist you here. Before sharing my GPX tracks with others, please remember my site is otherwise a free resource.

Baboquivari Peak is one of my favorite desert peaks. The views are incredible the whole time, the scrambling is varied and interesting, and a fairly well-maintained trail leads through the otherwise pretty unforgiving Arizona desert. Plus, the peak itself is incredibly photogenic and iconic. Be aware that there's a low class 5 section that we free soloed, but bringing our rope to rappel was pretty important for the descent since down-climbing would have been a bit scary.

We drove into the tiny town called Topawa and procured free permits from the Baboquivari District Office, required to hike Baboquivari Peak. Definitely get them. We continued on a nice dirt road to the trailhead, one section particularly rocky, but probably fine for any vehicle with reasonable clearance/tires. The Baboquivari campground had surprisingly nice bathrooms and was situated in a really scenic area. The start of the Waw Giwulk Trail was hard to locate at first because a tiny sign points up a small hill to the south. Once on the trail, however, we didn't have any difficulty for the first few miles. The trail led up a bunch of switchbacks along the western ridge/slopes of Baboquivari's foothills and eventually Baboquivari Peak came into view. We could see the big ramp that allowed access to the summit, and the excitement sort of overwhelmed me. It looked really incredible.

As the trail worked up to the west ridge of Baboquivari Peak, we entered a forested section and the trail became a little bit overgrown with tall grasses. We missed a couple of switchbacks, but once we found the trail again, it was pretty obvious. Just pay active attention and you shouldn't have a problem. Along the ascent, we passed 6 pretty stern and not very happy-looking Border Patrol agents apparently searching for someone. They were probably upset that they had to walk all the way up here and not be able to summit 😉

The final quarter mile to the base of Baboquivari's ramp was a bit unpleasant due to overgrown prickly desert trees, but it was over quickly enough and we were spit out at the ramp. We opted to take the Class 3+ slab the whole way up, but the route can be made easier and less exposed by staying closer to the cliff where the remains of an old metal ladder mark some sort of historic route. Once at the top of the slab, we worked around the cliff base until we found the Class 5 dryfall. It was clear to us that it was the route as soon as we saw it. I was very happy to have a rope. We dropped our packs here, got on our gear and climbing shoes, and tried to locate any form of bolts along the route before I started to lead the route. I'd call it somewhere between 5.4-5.6, but only because of a single move. Unfortunately, this move is about 20 feet off the deck and just below the first bolt. I don't really think the bolts are trustworthy anyway, so don't count on them for safety. The good news was that as soon as I clipped into the first bolt, I noted that the rest of the route seemed pretty easy, and it was. Massive jugs on very solid rock with lots of resting ledges led to an anchor. I belayed Matt up. And then lowered him to get our hiking shoes because we forgot them. And then he climbed up again. Sigh.

After the Class 5 section, we continued along the cliff face, pulled a Class 3+ move and wrapped around the base of some cliffs. The sheer drop just next to us was guarded by ample trees so nothing felt particularly exposed. We climbed up a Class 3+ chockstone move. The going was easy from here: Class 2+ scrambling wrapping up and around the north side of Baboquivari Peak and to the summit on a steep slope. Absolutely amazing views, and in my opinion one of the best desert peaks out there. On the way back we rapped down the Class 5 section, and were very happy to have a rope.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Baboquivari Peak
7734 ft
4194 rise

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!

Baboquivari Peak visible in the hazy distance as we start out from the campground. Reminder to have a permit before leaving your car.
Baboquivari Peak visible in the hazy distance as we start out from the campground. Reminder to have a permit before leaving your car.
Image 1 from gallery
Trail signs at a point of confusion.
Trail signs at a point of confusion.
Looking back the way we came - the trailhead is on the bottom left somewhere.
Looking back the way we came - the trailhead is on the bottom left somewhere.
Image 4 from gallery
Gorgeous southern AZ grasses.
Gorgeous southern AZ grasses.
Working around the base of a major rock outcropping.
Working around the base of a major rock outcropping.
Baboquivari Peak comes into view.
Baboquivari Peak comes into view.
Getting closer to Baboquivari Peak.
Getting closer to Baboquivari Peak.
Forested section as we ascent the western slopes of Baboquivari Peak.
Forested section as we ascent the western slopes of Baboquivari Peak.
Image 10 from gallery
Image 11 from gallery
Looking back the way we came.
Looking back the way we came.
Just before entering a brushy and painful section just below the ramp.
Just before entering a brushy and painful section just below the ramp.
Baboquivari Peak ramp visible center, just some awful desert trees to avoid along the way. To be clear, there was a trail - it's just in rough shape at this section.
Baboquivari Peak ramp visible center, just some awful desert trees to avoid along the way. To be clear, there was a trail - it's just in rough shape at this section.
At the base of the Baboquivari Peak ramp. Keep to the right along the Class 2 talus, or do the fun Class 3+slabs on the left!
At the base of the Baboquivari Peak ramp. Keep to the right along the Class 2 talus, or do the fun Class 3+slabs on the left!
On Class 3+ slabs (avoidable).
On Class 3+ slabs (avoidable).
Image 17 from gallery
The safer and easier option if not ascending on the slabs.
The safer and easier option if not ascending on the slabs.
After the ramp, we wrapped around toward the northwest side of Baboquivari Peak until we could locate the Class 5 section.
After the ramp, we wrapped around toward the northwest side of Baboquivari Peak until we could locate the Class 5 section.
Class 5 dryfall ahead on the right.
Class 5 dryfall ahead on the right.
The Class 5 route. The crux is about 20 feet up.
The Class 5 route. The crux is about 20 feet up.
Looking back down as Matt begins the climb.
Looking back down as Matt begins the climb.
Matt nearing the end of the climb, a wide shot of the surrounding desert.
Matt nearing the end of the climb, a wide shot of the surrounding desert.
Matt at the top of the climb. THe route continues left in this photo.
Matt at the top of the climb. THe route continues left in this photo.
Continuing to wrap around Baboquivari Peak's cliffs, a Class 3+ move.
Continuing to wrap around Baboquivari Peak's cliffs, a Class 3+ move.
Another Class 3+ chockstone move shortly after the last one.
Another Class 3+ chockstone move shortly after the last one.
Ascending a gully after the chockstone.
Ascending a gully after the chockstone.
The gully opens up. We continued hugging the cliff. Note that on the way down, it is easy to continue on the right (leads to a cliff). Make sure on the way back you're hugging the cliffs where Matt is.
The gully opens up. We continued hugging the cliff. Note that on the way down, it is easy to continue on the right (leads to a cliff). Make sure on the way back you're hugging the cliffs where Matt is.
Baboquivari Peak summit! View looking south.
Baboquivari Peak summit! View looking south.
Baboquivari Peak summit, view northwest.
Baboquivari Peak summit, view northwest.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!