Diablo Mountains High Point • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Dec 12 2025

Mike_W

Guides 105
Routes 263
Photos 18,058
Triplogs 566

male

Joined Dec 30 2005
Tucson, AZ

Diablo Mountains High Point

Southwest, AZ

Diablo Mountains High Point

Southwest, AZ

Hiking		Dec 12 2025
		Mike_W • Triplogs 566

Hiking	3.37 Miles	1,246 AEG

Hiking	3.37 Miles	4 Hrs 29 Mns	1.36 mph
	1,246 ft AEG	2 Hrs Break

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After breakfast, Brian and I drove the van from the Twin Peaks campground over to the Estes Canyon - Bull Pasture trailhead. On the drive over we were looking at the cliffs on the West side of this high point and they looked impassible without ropes. But, apparently, there was a canyon that could be climbed from the Northwest side of the peak. Along the drive, we saw Tillotson peak which is another peak we would like to hike someday.

We parked at Bull Pasture trailhead and started our hike around late morning, following the route posted by Matthias S. Thanks to Matthias for posting a route. We ended up using his route as a general guideline. Along the route, we found a large rock overhang and decided to take a break at this point in the shade after hiking a total of about 0.65 miles. It was hotter than expected in December.

After the break, we kept following the ridgeline up and after we reached a total of about 1.4 miles, it was already 12.30 pm and we decided to stop in the shade to have lunch. There was a smaller rock overhang here and evidence that animals were here at some point. It may have been bighorn sheep.

After lunch we continued for another 15 minutes to reach the top. We took 2 rather long breaks before summiting which we normally don't do because it was quite hot and we were ready for lunch. At the summit we found a rock pile with a registry. From this point we had excellent views of Mt Ajo, Mt Tillotson and other nearby points. We could look South and see the border wall and parts of the town of Sonoyta, Mexico. Looking Northwest we could see a long rugged canyon which we believed was a possible route, but must have been more difficult than the ridgeline.

We decided to take a more direct route going East down to the road just because it looked possible. This route proved to be a bit more challenging than our route going up. There was more route finding involved. and there were some cliffs to avoid. We had to us our hands in a few spots but most of the hike down was nothing over a class 2. Once we hiked to the road, we just had to walk the road to get back to where we parked.

Stats:
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Distance (round trip): 3.37 miles
AEG: 1,246 feet
Strava moving time: 1 hr 48 mins
Strava elapsed time: 4 hrs 29 mins

Driving Directions:
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From Why, AZ...
Head southwest on AZ-85 S for 22.1 mi

Turn left onto Ajo Mountain Dr
Continue for 10.9 mi to Estes Canyon - Bull Pasture Trail Head

Note: Ajo Mountain Dr is a loop that becomes one way after the first 2 miles

There is a picnic area here with some shaded tables.
You will need the US National Forest pass for this area.

_____________________

Michael Williams
IT Professional
Rocky Point Vacation Rentals
Ocean Front Condo in Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico
www.beachfrontmexico.us

Dec 05 2019

DixieFlyer

Guides 100
Routes 1,574
Photos 16,476
Triplogs 1,464

male

Joined Jan 07 2017
Fountain Hills,

Diablo and Wasson, AZ

Hiking		Dec 05 2019
		DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,464

Hiking	12.00 Miles	3,658 AEG

Hiking	12.00 Miles
	3,658 ft AEG

Linked

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Diablo Mountains High Point

Wasson Peak via Sweetwater Trail

Partners

partners

SecretMtnLover

Tracie, my favorite and intrepid hiking partner, and I decided to wrap up our trip to the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument by hiking up to the Diablo Mountains High Point. On the way back to the VOS, we went through Tucson and hiked up to Wasson Peak, which had been on my radar screen for a while.

DIABLO MOUNTAINS HIGH POINT
We started the Diablo Mountains High Point hike at the same trailhead that we used to hike to Mount Ajo a couple of days prior; however, this hike was on the opposite side of the road. The hike was all off-trail, but it wasn't too difficult until we got near the high point -- we gained 300 feet in elevation over 0.15 miles. Even though it was steep, the footing was pretty solid, so it wasn't too bad.

We had nice 360 degree views on top, and there was not one but two summit log books.

WASSON PEAK
We started and ended the hike at the Camino del Cerro Trailhead.

We did not begin the hike until 2:30, so lack of daylight was a potential issue. I only stopped for 8 minutes on the hike, and was moving at a fairly rapid pace -- much faster than I normally go. As a result I didn't stop and smell the roses, and didn't enjoy the hike as much as I otherwise would have. The trail was nice to hike on, and I thought that it was a scenic hike, and there were some nice 360 degree views at the summit.

I would like to go back and hike this one again sometime, and enjoy the journey this time.

Distance and elevation gain for the 2 hikes is below. The stats above are the sum of the 2.

Diablo Mtns High Point: 2.9 miles with an AEG of 1,332'
Wasson Peak: 9.1 miles with an AEG of 2,326'

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Summit Register Log

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Diablo Mountains

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Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there

2 archives

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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