Class 3 2.2 miles 1300 gain 1-2 hr Out + Back Oct 8, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Cabezon Peak GPX Track

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Cabezon Peak is a fairly popular and short scramble northwest of Albuquerque, and it's a lot of fun. From the parking area, follow a great trail to the south side of Cabezon Peak and look for the trail as it turns north and heads up loose Class 2 scree. From here, a Class 3 move takes you to higher ground and to the mouth of a canyon, where the crux of the day waits, a Class 3 move, followed by some low Class 3 scrambling up the gully. The trail continues to be well-defined as you head up the east face of Cabezon Peak and to the summit.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Cabezon Peak
7785 ft
1508 rise

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Starting from the Cabezon Peak Trailhead, head up a well-traveled trail around the south side of Cabezon Peak.
Starting from the Cabezon Peak Trailhead, head up a well-traveled trail around the south side of Cabezon Peak.
Image 1 from gallery
Looking back along the trail.
Looking back along the trail.
Heading up a scree slope on the south side of Cabezon Peak. The route continues around to the east side of Cabezon Peak.
Heading up a scree slope on the south side of Cabezon Peak. The route continues around to the east side of Cabezon Peak.
Image 4 from gallery
Short scramble to start off.
Short scramble to start off.
Image 6 from gallery
The necessary gully to get to higher ground.
The necessary gully to get to higher ground.
Class 3 section with some kinda thoughtful climbing moves.
Class 3 section with some kinda thoughtful climbing moves.
Continuing up the gully.
Continuing up the gully.
Another Class 3 section to get out of the gully.
Another Class 3 section to get out of the gully.
Photo of me scrambling just to the right of the gully because somehow I thought that was the route, when the gully ended up being a lot less scary.
Photo of me scrambling just to the right of the gully because somehow I thought that was the route, when the gully ended up being a lot less scary.
If you're scrambling on this exposed stuff, there's an easier way (just to the right in this photo up the gully).
If you're scrambling on this exposed stuff, there's an easier way (just to the right in this photo up the gully).
Image 13 from gallery
Along the east side of Cabezon Peak.
Along the east side of Cabezon Peak.
More fun scrambling on black rock with green lichen.
More fun scrambling on black rock with green lichen.
Image 16 from gallery
Final scramble. When you top out, there's lots of loose rock, so watch your step.
Final scramble. When you top out, there's lots of loose rock, so watch your step.
Looking down at the last scramble to the summit.
Looking down at the last scramble to the summit.
Approaching Cabezon Peak summit.
Approaching Cabezon Peak summit.
Cabezon Peak summit looking west.
Cabezon Peak summit looking west.

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!