Hike Pinkley Peak Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ

Threat to Our Public Land!

Recent proposals could transfer or sell off national forests, BLM land, and wilderness areas. This threatens the trails, wildlife, and access we all love. Once they're gone, we don't get them back.

The push to sell off public lands is being driven mostly by Republicans. What's frustrating is that many who vote for this party still love hiking, hunting, and exploring. If you keep voting for politicians who promise to "cut red tape" and "shrink government," don't be surprised when your favorite trailhead is fenced off and leased to a mining company.

Resources

Public Land for Sale Map
Write Your Senator
Utah is Not for Sale
About the Spending Package

Directions

Route Map

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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

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.

On the east ridge, ascending toward Pinkley Peak.

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.

Cool rock alcove formations along the way.

Steep ascent toward the peak's base.

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.

Class 3 weaknesses that look like this.

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.

View back down along the crest.

An abandoned camp in a grotto.

Pinkley Peak summit, view north.

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.

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.

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!