Baboquivari Peak, Cerro Pinacate

9-May-84

By: Gene Olsen

none

This was a leisurely trip with a rest day between peaks. We checked in at the police station in Sells and were informed that we needed a permit. This we obtained from the tribal council office which is just around the corner from the police station. The people were very courteous. Permits require a council member signature. This says you should get your permit during business hours. We got to the C.G. at about 6:30 p.m. There have been improvements in the area since last year. The road is good and there has been a new outhouse constructed which has flush toilets and sinks. There is also another new building which appears to be a place to cook. This was not open. The 4 bedroom, 2 bath house is still unoccupied but doesn't seem any worse than last year. We left the C.G. at 6:20 and reached the summit at 10:45. It was hot near the bottom but cooled down nicely as we went up. The rock pitch went easily. I replaced the sling at the lower hanger. This climb can be done with a single 120' rope with a limited group. We rapped off the cable at the top and then did a second rappel from the lower hanger. Got back to the van at 2:45. Headed for Lukeville and Puerto Penasco. You must get a tourist permit to cross the border at Sonoita. We stayed at a new RV park in Puerto Penasco called Playa Bonita. This was a neat place. Had a good meal at a restaurant named La Curva on Kino Blvd. We left for Pinacate road head about 4:00 p.m. Friday. The road going in is in good shape. The only place that caused any concern was the wash and this went well. John R's instructions are still good and I've added some new details. We parked at approximately 1420'. Put a duck on the rite. Stopping here avoids the loose stuff at the end of the road.

A copy of the Babo permit and maps are attached. Pinacate went well. Tremendous cholla! Less after Edna left. We started at 5:20 to avoid the heat and were back at the van at 12:15 to start the long drive home. We took Mex 2 to Mexicali. This road is in good shape and had almost no Traffic.

From "Decisions on Geographic Names in the United States", January through March 1984, Decision List No. 8401:

Winnedumah Paiute Monument: pinnacle, 18 m (60 ft.) high, in the Inyo Mountains at an elevation of 2,551 m (8,369 ft.), 16.1 Km (10 mi.) ENE of Independence, named for Winnedumah, a Paiute medicine man, who, according to legend, was turned into this pillar while he was invoking the help of the "great spirit" during a battle with Digger Indians, Inyo Co., Calif., 36° 05' 49" N, 118° 02' 03" W. Not: Paiute Monument, Piute Monument, Winneduman.


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