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| Peak 4540 Organ Pipe Cactus NM, AZ | | -
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| | Peak 4540 Organ Pipe Cactus NM, AZ | | | |
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Peak 4540 Organ Pipe Cactus NM, AZ
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| Hiking | 5.00 Miles |
2,040 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.00 Miles | | | |
| 2,040 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | My last day in the Ajo range for awhile, and it was a good one. The route description for this hike on Debra Van Winegarden's blog says "this rugged and difficult five-mile hike easily feels double the distance." I was skeptical. She was not wrong. It is officially the third-highest peak in the range.
A big storm came through overnight and the mountains were still socked in, but clearing, when I left Twin Peaks campground at 11am. By 11:45 I was heading up the Arch Canyon trail. I passed the standard warning sign about smuggling, etc. and followed a good trail down into the canyon. The route follows the main canyon for about a mile and half. I was surprised to find so much water! But should have expected it. Super pretty, but it definitely slowed me down a bit. No significant obstacles on the first stretch, just a lot of low hanging branches ready to snag hats and stowed trekking poles.
The weather was unsettled. About 30 minutes in I had to duck under a tree to get out of a hail shower. After passing under a big cave (about 0.5 miles upcanyon), there is an obvious bypass trail on the left. Then a little further along there’s a chockstone blocking the canyon, but an easy bypass on ledges is available to the right. Next I came to a large pool that I wasn't sure how to get around. As I considered it, sprinkles turned into a downpour and I ducked into an alcove between boulders on the left to wait it out and each lunch. To bypass the pool, I ended up wiggling up through a hole in this alcove.
After nearly 2 miles, the main canyon makes a turn to the right, and the route goes left. A trail leads out of the canyon up to a rock shelf. Follow the side canyon on it's north side, then cross over and aim for the north side of a large rock outcrop on the ridge. There is a decent trail leading across the wash, and again alongside the rock outcrop to the ridge. Once you hit the ridge, turn left and it's an easy hike to the summit. Views are excellent!! I got snowed on. Didn't stay long because I wanted to get to an overlook on Ajo Mtn Drive for sunset photos. Retraced my steps and made it back to the trailhead in half the time.  |
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