Route: Baboquivari Peak (AZ)

Baboquivari Peak is beyond words but I will try. First of all the formation is breathtaking, from a distance it stands as a lone sentinel over the desert landscape. It is essentially the granite heart of a mountain that has been exposed due to erosion over many years. 

Secondly it is a sacred peak to the Tohono O'odham people. The rock god I'itoli, also spelled I'itoi, lives in a cave on the northwest side of the mountain that he enters by a maze of passages. Legend says he came into Earth from a world on the other side, leading his people, whom he had turned into ants, through an ant hole. He then changed them back into the Tohono O'odham people. The Tohono O'odham still regularly make pilgrimages to the cave, leaving offerings and prayers for I'itoli. 

Because of this I wasn't sure if it was my place to put this up on the website. I figured I'd put the information out there and let the curious adventurer decide. 

One of the more popular routes is to climb is the southeast arete 5.6 and the downclimb the Forbes Route 5.4. This makes for an enjoyable circular adventure, while also including an amazing quality of rock climbing all day. 

Starting the route on the east side made the most sense to me. The west side is Tohono O'odham reservation, and while they do allow people to climb the peak from this side, I figured they were better off not pestered by crazy speed enthusiasts. A permit may be required to access the peak via the Reservation.

The route itself starts at the Baboquivari Ranch. This is the most notable landmark for a beginning and ending. From there take any path you wish to the base of the southeast arete. I would advise taking pants! There isn't really any trail and the plants are sharp!

From there climb the arete, reach the summit, and descend the Forbes route back to the ranch!