There is a user fee required to climb Babo from the Tohono O'odam nation, or west side. It is $10 for a day climb or $15 if you bivy. This fee should be paid at the information center on the way into the campground, which is $3 a night. Just because it is not en-forced does not mean it is OK to skip this!
Climbed this peak about 25 years ago with the Desert Peaks Section. What a great climb and one of the coldest I've ever done. Completely in shadow, with iced-over spring water dripping down some of the finger holds on 5th class face of the traditional route (the one with the rap off the tree). It was the first and only time I had to borrow a package of hand warmers from a fellow climber.
The fee paid to the Nation to camp and do the peak are super well-worth it. Back in the day, we had to call in advance for permission to climb. It's a much easier process now.
Another note, the main body of desert peaks on all of these websites are extracted from the Desert Peaks list, created by folks who went out with maps, compass and recorded the roads and routes long before GPS & Google, and certainly deserve a credit as their website provides a lot of helpful information. When I first joined, the list of peaks cost 25 cents, (which had to be mailed in as there were no websites back then--now it's posted for free). That list was the secret key to a world of desert wonder and a lifetime of enchantment: http://angeles.sierraclub.org/dps/dpslist.pdf
A link with recent updates to many routes: http://angeles.sierraclub.org/dps/guideupdate.htm
NOTE: Until the Papago relent on Covid, this is the only legal way to access Baboquivari.
The East side route does require a bit more work to get on the rock, but the incredible 500' sheer granite faces of the East and South sides make up for it. The West/Fresnel approach gives you no views for the first miles, and then you see the much gentler ascension face the rest of the way. As long as the Papago have closed this access, Thomas Canyon is your only real option, but it could be the preferred one always , if Tucsonans put a few days work into the trail and removing boulders in the road.
TheThomas Canyon post has some excellent Beta on the rock, but lacks some important details on the approach. TNC has abandoned this ranch some time ago, so the last 3.5 miles of road will demand a real 4WD truck style vehicle, and you need to bypass the first mile of the User Trail by walking in the arroyo instead. Brushy does not begin to describe the dense Catclaw (!) and Mesquite now growing in the old road, which you should avoid at all costs if you value your legs and pants. Once past the first mile, look for the User Trail cairns which show it descending the right bank, and crossing to the left. If you miss it, no worries as it is then only 30' up on the left side for at least 1/3 mile after crossing, and provides a faster way up than scrambling the rocky arroyo bottom.
Regarding water, you will likely find seeps a half-mile before the last gate at an upwelling, and then above the ranch for at least a mile. These are most welcome for dogs, washing the sweat off, and providing relief from the unrelenting desert sun.
Blacklab2020 - Oct 6, 2010 11:57 pm - Hasn't voted
good reference linksa couple of the links on the page do not work.
However www.climbaz.com is an excellent reference for baboquivari
hossjulia - Dec 5, 2010 12:49 pm - Hasn't voted
Fee required from westThere is a user fee required to climb Babo from the Tohono O'odam nation, or west side. It is $10 for a day climb or $15 if you bivy. This fee should be paid at the information center on the way into the campground, which is $3 a night. Just because it is not en-forced does not mean it is OK to skip this!
yosemite4 - Oct 29, 2014 8:55 am - Hasn't voted
Can be super cold in winterClimbed this peak about 25 years ago with the Desert Peaks Section. What a great climb and one of the coldest I've ever done. Completely in shadow, with iced-over spring water dripping down some of the finger holds on 5th class face of the traditional route (the one with the rap off the tree). It was the first and only time I had to borrow a package of hand warmers from a fellow climber.
The fee paid to the Nation to camp and do the peak are super well-worth it. Back in the day, we had to call in advance for permission to climb. It's a much easier process now.
Another note, the main body of desert peaks on all of these websites are extracted from the Desert Peaks list, created by folks who went out with maps, compass and recorded the roads and routes long before GPS & Google, and certainly deserve a credit as their website provides a lot of helpful information. When I first joined, the list of peaks cost 25 cents, (which had to be mailed in as there were no websites back then--now it's posted for free). That list was the secret key to a world of desert wonder and a lifetime of enchantment: http://angeles.sierraclub.org/dps/dpslist.pdf
A link with recent updates to many routes: http://angeles.sierraclub.org/dps/guideupdate.htm
Happy Trails!
MDSF - Nov 29, 2021 12:10 pm - Voted 10/10
Babo East Side Update--Nov2021NOTE: Until the Papago relent on Covid, this is the only legal way to access Baboquivari.
The East side route does require a bit more work to get on the rock, but the incredible 500' sheer granite faces of the East and South sides make up for it. The West/Fresnel approach gives you no views for the first miles, and then you see the much gentler ascension face the rest of the way. As long as the Papago have closed this access, Thomas Canyon is your only real option, but it could be the preferred one always , if Tucsonans put a few days work into the trail and removing boulders in the road.
TheThomas Canyon post has some excellent Beta on the rock, but lacks some important details on the approach. TNC has abandoned this ranch some time ago, so the last 3.5 miles of road will demand a real 4WD truck style vehicle, and you need to bypass the first mile of the User Trail by walking in the arroyo instead. Brushy does not begin to describe the dense Catclaw (!) and Mesquite now growing in the old road, which you should avoid at all costs if you value your legs and pants. Once past the first mile, look for the User Trail cairns which show it descending the right bank, and crossing to the left. If you miss it, no worries as it is then only 30' up on the left side for at least 1/3 mile after crossing, and provides a faster way up than scrambling the rocky arroyo bottom.
Regarding water, you will likely find seeps a half-mile before the last gate at an upwelling, and then above the ranch for at least a mile. These are most welcome for dogs, washing the sweat off, and providing relief from the unrelenting desert sun.