Cabeza BM - High Point • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Jan 19 2025

chumley

Guides 94
Routes 840
Photos 22,055
Triplogs 1,993

52 male

Joined Sep 18 2002
Tempe, AZ

Cabeza BM - High Point

Southwest, AZ

Cabeza BM - High Point

Southwest, AZ

Backpack		Jan 19 2025
		chumley • Triplogs 1,993

Backpack	13.35 Miles	1,975 AEG

Backpack	13.35 Miles	2 Days
	1,975 ft AEG

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JoelHazelton

Jonnybackpack

Joel and Jon had this one in the works for some winter photography, and I'm not typically opposed to exploring more of the western deserts at this time of year so I decided to tag along. Instead of a day hike, the plan was to backpack and spend the night on the summit.

Of course, we knew there would be nothing glamorous as far as places to sleep go, and expectations were definitely met.

The first 3 miles on old 2 track is relatively boring, followed by a couple of miles in the prominent nw/se oriented drainage north of the summit. We managed to avoid sandy wash walking almost entirely as the adjacent desert flora was forgiving, and there are remnants of old two tracks that provided pretty good travel routes.

We cached some water at the bottom of the 1500-foot ascent and made our way up that final mile. This was a pretty enjoyable route. No crazy scrambles, and mostly firm footing until the final 200 feet below the saddle when there was some looser scree to negotiate.

From there to the summit the slope is steeper and more scrambly, and using hands for assistance became helpful with our heavy overnight packs. It wasn't long before we reached the summit block and the stunning views it provided.

It took some creativity but we were able to find spots for the each of us to sleep that were mostly ok and didn't involve too much danger of rolling off the mountain!

Sunset and sunrise views were outstanding and worth the effort of carrying water and gear up there. The wind picked up a bit overnight but mostly held off until we were back at the truck the next afternoon.

A helicopter buzzed 500 feet below us in the morning. We thought it might be BP investigating our overnight headlamps, but it seemed more interested in staying low and out of sight than in finding us. Regardless, it was the only sign of human life we encountered on the hike.

I'm really glad to have done this one. It was super enjoyable.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Desert Pine

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Benchmark World Element

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cabeza Prieta Mountains Cabeza Prieta Wilderness Tordillo Mountain

_____________________

I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.

2 archives

Feb 12 2022

GrangerGuy

Guides 34
Routes 138
Photos 931
Triplogs 111

68 male

Joined Dec 26 2018
Phoenix, AZ

Cabeza BM - High Point

Southwest, AZ

Cabeza BM - High Point

Southwest, AZ

Hiking		Feb 12 2022
		GrangerGuy • Triplogs 111

Hiking	13.00 Miles	1,900 AEG

Hiking	13.00 Miles	8 Hrs 5 Mns		2.48 mph
	1,900 ft AEG	2 Hrs 50 Mns Break	15 LBS Pack

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Buck Peak

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Before I left on this adventure, I reread the first chapter of The Secret Knowledge of Water by Craig Childs. He describes the Cabeza Prieta in fascinating and very personal detail. It was excellent preparation for this walk. In addition, I registered for my Barry Goldwater Range Permit, and checked in the night before.

It is a long drive across the Barry Goldwater in the dark. Although the road is usually excellent, at times 4WD was of great help in the sand. I am including a hand mapped GPS route of the drive that I followed on the way in. It is accurate. My recorded track of the drive failed.

I departed the car at the wilderness boundary at 7:45 AM. Travel on the road is very quick. The road is extensively driven by border patrol agents. While it detracts from the wilderness experience, it makes the route in exceptionally easy to follow.

There is evidence of lots of wildlife. I never got close enough to see what the flocks of birds were, but they startled me repeatedly when they would all fly up together. Lots of bird tracks, coyote tracks, and javelina tracks in the road. I was unsuccessful in stalking a javelina that crossed my path. Higher up, especially in the canyon to the peak, there are lots of bighorn droppings. This refuge is primarily to protect the population of bighorn.

Leaving the wash, I had a little trouble finding the right canyon to climb up. Sloppy navigation on my part. The correct canyon is an easy walk/scramble. It is like a rugged stairway. Not overgrown and not many tall waterfalls that must be gotten around.

My turnaround time arrived before I reached the summit. I was about 500’ and more or less an hour short of it. It was too bad, but the canyon is quite beautiful and worth the climb. The round trip is nearly 14 miles, as it turns out, right at the limit of a one-day journey for me. The climb down is not difficult, but you do have to watch out for large rocks that shift under your weight. Mostly it was a straightforward walk alternately following sheep paths and the rugged stairway.

Once down on the bajada, I followed a beeline shown in the official route, and then followed the CBP jeep tracks all the way back to my car. A gentle breeze mitigated the unseasonable 80°+ temps in the flats. I would rate this hike higher, but the 5-mile approach is tedious, while the climb is beautiful.

Dec 20 2019

Jim

Guides 73
Routes 176
Photos 10,174
Triplogs 2,324

46 male

Joined Sep 08 2006

Cabeza BM - High Point

Southwest, AZ

Cabeza BM - High Point

Southwest, AZ

Hiking		Dec 20 2019
		Jim • Triplogs 2,324

Hiking	13.00 Miles	1,900 AEG

Hiking	13.00 Miles	7 Hrs 50 Mns		1.86 mph
	1,900 ft AEG	50 Mns Break	10 LBS Pack

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The winter sunshine and clear, dry air have been fantastic for hiking and visibility lately. Down here, the air doesn't turn smoggy after a few days, so it remains clear. Perfect conditions for hiking and enjoying a winter summit. Though I do generally prefer warmer spring days and nights, and longer days.

The drive in and out went smoothly, just deep sand but the Outback takes it well.

Camping at the TH both nights was clear and cold, and also incredibly still and silent. Listening to the blood flow through your ears silent. Pretty much that quiet before sunset, too. It started warm for the winter solstice, low 60s, but dropped both nights into the middle and lower 30s. Not a fan. I come to hike, not party or socialize, so I skip fires when I camp and was in bed by 6 PM both nights. More due to cold than sleeping. Stars are impressive out here, but the light pools from cities to the east and northwest are very obtrusive. My guess is Phoenix and Los Angeles.

The hike went very smooth. The 2-track and desert crossing was easy, wide open views. A party that peaked and registered on 12/10 left tracks that increased confidence, even when not needed. They also left a gallon catch of water that I removed and have since consumed. Thanks. I cracked the seal, so it was safe. It was also placed on top of new, green seedlings from the recent rain.

In the wash travel was easy. I climbed some hills and benches to view the south ridge and cliffs. Determining which canyon to enter is pretty simple. I was aided by my printed map with a GPS route. Thanks, internet!

Once in the deep canyon, it was a very simple scramble to the top. I was shocked and upset to have cell service. Back in 1965, when the peak register was placed by the Desert Peaks Chapter of the Sierra Club that would have been unthinkable.

Views were great and very clear. Sea of Cortez, 2 active dune fields, lots of attractive recognizable summits and ranges. Well worth the trip and very enjoyable.

Geology

Geology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Granite

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Benchmark

_____________________

Mar 07 2015

desert_boonie

Guides 2
Photos 1,691
Triplogs 212

45 male

Joined Aug 05 2004
Peoria, AZ

Cabeza Prieta Benchmark, AZ

Hiking		Mar 07 2015
		desert_boonie • Triplogs 212

Hiking	13.10 Miles	1,930 AEG

Hiking	13.10 Miles	7 Hrs 45 Mns	1.69 mph
	1,930 ft AEG

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no photosets

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Cabeza BM - High Point

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sbkelley

Some would say silence is golden, and in this part of that state that is certainly the case. The refuge, the desert, and the isolated beauty of this range has left me speechless.

_____________________

"Never Satisfied"

Mar 07 2015

sbkelley

Guides 6
Routes 13
Photos 1,377
Triplogs 184

41 male

Joined Mar 29 2007
Reno, NV

Cabeza Prieta Benchmark, AZ

Hiking		Mar 07 2015
		sbkelley • Triplogs 184

Hiking	13.10 Miles	1,930 AEG

Hiking	13.10 Miles	7 Hrs 45 Mns	1.69 mph
	1,930 ft AEG

no routes

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Cabeza BM - High Point

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desert_boonie

It's been a busy winter, but Ken and I managed to find the time to get back down to the Cabeza Prieta this season before the heat deterred any possible treks. We barely got it done in time, as highs are supposed to push into the low 90s in a few days. Eric joined us, his first time on the Barry Goldwater/Cabeza. After topping out Cabeza Prieta Peak last year, we had talked about coming back for the Cabeza Prieta BM, which is the highest point in the range.

The roads all the way until the end of F12 on the Goldwater West were in great condition and hardly tested Ken's Jeep. We parked at the end of the road shortly after 8 a.m. Sun was warming up the morning nicely, and no breeze. A couple miles of road walking across the flats led us to the mouth of the prevalent drainage running NW-SE just beneath CPBM. We turned up the wide drainage and hiked generally up the wash towards the peak. The canyon is wide, and the going was pretty easy, save for some steep side-gullies coming in from the rugged terrain above. After about 3 miles, we found a prominent drainage that cut through the rugged mountainside, looking like it would put us near the top. Figuring we could solve rest of the puzzle from the drainage's top, we headed up. Upon reaching the main ridge of the range, we were greeted with a nice breeze and incredible views south. We turned left on the ridge, making our way along the spine until...we saw the peak a ways off with a larger drainage between it and us. Ken mentioned this was the drainage he actually wanted - oops on my part! We found a way to traverse over and down into it with only minimal downclimbing. Game (back) on! Up the "correct" drainage now to a small saddle right beneath the peak. Then fun scrambling with alcoves everywhere up to the big view. Could see the Sea of Cortez faintly on the horizon, and not a road or building to be seen nearby. The summit register was originally placed in 1965, still in decent shape, and had about 20 entries. We added our names and enjoyed some locally-brewed IPAs, lounging for nearly an hour.

On the descent, we simply stayed in the drainage just off the summit. Much nicer going than our ascent drainage. The breeze even picked up for the way out. Back to the Jeep around 4 pm, where we set off towards the Copper Mountains to find a campsite in a little nicer area. Great day on the Cabeza, as always.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Ocotillo

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Truck Remains/Wreckage

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cabeza Prieta Mountains Cabeza Prieta Peak Copper Mountains

Wildflowers Observation Light

_____________________

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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