Pinkley Peak in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ

Hike Pinkley Peak Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ

Class 3 2.9 miles 1300 gain 1-2 hr Out + Back
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude
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Apr 4, 2025 — Pinkley Peak is the tallest summit in the Puerto Blanco Mountains, its colorful form showcasing prominent bands of rhyolite and tuff. Reaching the trailhead is possible for any vehicle, and with a picnic area and bathrooms available, we were able to enjoy the scenery over lunch after the short hike.

The summit is isolated from other prominent peaks, its separation making it interesting in its own right. Pinkley Peak was impressive from where we stood, its eastern slopes a bit of a colorful mess that seemed annoying to navigate, so we decided to ascend via the east ridge. On the descent, we discovered that the adjacent slope was more straightforward, but we were here for the fun, and the ridge was more engaging.

We gained the east ridge, which offered some playful terrain. It was mostly Class 2, with some avoidable Class 3 sections as we navigated a few small cliffs and cool alcoves. Higher up, the ridge steepened as we approached the base of the summit. Most previous hikers seem to prefer side-hilling beneath the sheer face formed by the summit ridge, but we opted for a direct line. This turned into a steep, solid Class 3 scramble, exactly the kind of fun we came for.

Route-finding wasn’t much of an issue, though we may have just gotten lucky choosing the right ledges and weaknesses in the rock. There’s more than one way to the top, but it’s easy to wander into Class 4 or 5 territory if you’re not paying attention. We stuck with solid Class 3 options, climbing through features that looked intimidating from below but proved reasonable.

All too soon, we reached the summit ridge. The final push was mostly Class 2/3, and although it was narrow, we never felt dangerously close to the drop on either side. We even stumbled across an abandoned camp tucked into a grotto—likely an old smuggler’s site, given how well-hidden it was and the presence of a wall built to block sunlight.

Rather than descend the same way, I decided to scout the standard route by dropping south from the summit and contouring below the ridge before rejoining our ascent route. It was mostly Class 2 with some loose sections and was technically easier, but not quite as rewarding as the more direct option.

On our way back to civilization, we checked out the historic town of Ajo, a worthwhile stop.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Pinkley Peak
3145 ft
1345 rise

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Pinkley Peak seen ahead. We took the ridge right of center. Though, it is probably just as easy to take the adjacent slope instead.
Pinkley Peak seen ahead. We took the ridge right of center. Though, it is probably just as easy to take the adjacent slope instead.
On the east ridge, ascending toward Pinkley Peak.
On the east ridge, ascending toward Pinkley Peak.
View back along the ridge.
View back along the ridge.
Some Class 2 and avoidable Class 3 obstacles along the ridgeline, but we found it more fun than had we taken the slope seen on the left.
Some Class 2 and avoidable Class 3 obstacles along the ridgeline, but we found it more fun than had we taken the slope seen on the left.
Cool rock alcove formations along the way.
Cool rock alcove formations along the way.
Steep ascent toward the peak's base.
Steep ascent toward the peak's base.
We chose to take a direct route to ascend, ultimately fun Class 3.
We chose to take a direct route to ascend, ultimately fun Class 3.
Navigating ledges and weaknesses. There is definitely more than one way up, but it's also easy to quickly get into Class 4/5 terrain.
Navigating ledges and weaknesses. There is definitely more than one way up, but it's also easy to quickly get into Class 4/5 terrain.
Class 3 weaknesses that look like this.
Class 3 weaknesses that look like this.
View back as we near the summit ridge.
View back as we near the summit ridge.
Class 2/3 along the crest. Pinkley Peak summit ahead, a bit past the false summit seen here.
Class 2/3 along the crest. Pinkley Peak summit ahead, a bit past the false summit seen here.
View back down along the crest.
View back down along the crest.
An abandoned camp in a grotto.
An abandoned camp in a grotto.
Pinkley Peak summit, view north.
Pinkley Peak summit, view north.
Close-up toward the Ajo Range.
Close-up toward the Ajo Range.
I decided to check out what seems to be more of the standard route, dropping south from the summit and wrapping around the summit ridge rather than going back down.
I decided to check out what seems to be more of the standard route, dropping south from the summit and wrapping around the summit ridge rather than going back down.
Mostly Class 2 with a Class 2+ or low Class 3 option along the way as I hug the base of the crest.
Mostly Class 2 with a Class 2+ or low Class 3 option along the way as I hug the base of the crest.
View back toward the summit. This route was far less interesting It wraps around the base and rejoined our ascent route.
View back toward the summit. This route was far less interesting It wraps around the base and rejoined our ascent route.

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