Red Picacho/White Picacho

[hippiepunkpirate]

Anybody know anything about climbing the either Red Picacho or White Picacho (or both)? They are adjacent peaks in the Hieroglyphic Mountains west of Lake Pleasant. I haven't been out to even look at them yet, but they caught my eye on the map, and climbing either sounds like a good time. Access via Castle Hot Springs road (second turnoff closer to Wickenburg) looks great. Maximum distance to climb Red Picacho looks like 5 miles RT, but perhaps shorter as it looks like there is at least one spur road that climbs closer up. The TOPO lines look pretty tight on the map, looks like scrambling is likely. That's about all I can figure out from home, any other info would be greatly appreciated. Also, I'd like to get out there, probably a couple weeks from now when my schedule isn't so hectic, on a weekday (early, Monday would be best, if anyone is interested in trying to bag either peak with me maybe we can work something out...

[JoelHazelton]

Interesting... I'm intrigued! I love that area. (p.s. Just remembered you texted me the other day about hiking on a Monday in a couple weeks. Was at work and forgot to respond, but I'm down!)

[chumley]

Looking at the satellite view, both peaks appear to have some pretty good rock climbing at the top. Especially the south (red) peak.

Also, I just looked up the land ownership, and the west side is BLM. Both peaks and the north/east/south are State Trust Land (I'm sure you have your permit ;) ). There's a parcel of private land to the south, which I believe is that spur road you mention as leading to a shorter trip (and a few mines on the topo map). It may or may not be gated. Big Reef Mill area to the northeast (and that road) are not private.

If the road into Trilogy Wash on the west side is a decent road, it might be easier to ascend from that side somewhere.

The State Trust land is on a grazing lease, so you might encounter some very unhappy cows? (unhappy cause there isn't a whole lot of delicious green grass to graze in the area).

[The_Eagle]

Looking at the Satellite Map, It looks like N Castle Hot Springs road, coming up from the South, gets you to within .7 miles of the southern peak.

If you look at 33.95495 -112.507713, it appears there is a truck at the end of the road, alluding to it's drive-able by some sort of vehicle.

[PatrickL]

I saw these two on Google Earth a while back and have been interested ever since. I don't recall being able to find pictures of them. Someone posted a triplog and mentioned some technical climbing to reach the top. I'm free on Mondays and interested in making it as far as my comfort zone can go.

http://hikearizona.com/x.php?x=61017

[chumley]

Looking at the Satellite Map, It looks like N Castle Hot Springs road, coming up from the South, gets you to within .7 miles of the southern peak.

If you look at 33.95495 -112.507713, it appears there is a truck at the end of the road, alluding to it's drive-able by some sort of vehicle.

Not sure that's a truck, but perhaps some mining equipment? Either way, that road is on private property.

[mudlugs]

Here's a picture of Red from a hill south and west that had a benchmark on it.



Take Castle Hot Springs to Trilby Wash and drive up the wash to the closest point to your route (looks like coming from the north along the ridge would work.) Don't know about White.

Now looking at the map the picture is more of the ridge next to the peak itself with the peak showing over the top.

[hippiepunkpirate]

@mudlugsCool shot! Makes me even more inspired to go check it the area.
@Patrick LThanks for digging up that Red Picacho triplog. Interesting that it mentions a 5.5 technical climb to get to the top of Red. I've never done a technical climb, and am kind of a wuss on exposed stuff to be honest, so it makes me doubtful of myself actually reaching the summit, but I'd like to go check it out anyway. And perhaps White Picacho is an easier summit? Looks doable to go for both in one day, I think. Unfortunately, my schedule is very unfirm so I myself can't set a date for sure to do this, but I'll keep in touch with you guys who are interested (Joel, Patrick, rlrjamy - Bob who PM'd me about it)