PICACHO DEL DIABLO CLIMB OVERVIEW

A challenging ascent of Picacho del Diablo, Baja California's elusive highest peak. Picacho del Diablo is located deep in one of Mexico's national parks and is a much sought after peak. As the only guide service to offer Picacho del Diablo, we have extensive experience on the peak and many successful summits.

We travel by private transportation from either San Diego or Ensenada to the famous Rancho Meling, a comfortable working guest ranch in the foothills of the Baja mountains. Then it's on to the Parque Nacional San Pedro Martir where we embark on a strenuous three day backcountry journey to the top of Baja California. Two nights are spent in the remote high wilds of Baja California among the pines and boulders within the controlled national park. On our approach to base camp, we descend into the spectacular Canon del Diablo.

The summit attempt of Picacho del Diablo is via a strenuous scrambling route. While not technical, this trip is true adventure. It is very remote and the terrain is strenuous. If you are looking for something very different and not too far from home, mountain climbing in Baja may be for you!

At the end of our journey we find ourselves back at nearby Rancho Meling Guest Ranch with a hot shower, hearty food and a soft bed. Then it's back to San Diego or Ensenada. We can include a stay at the beautiful Adobe Guadalupe, a working winery in the Baja wine country before and/or after the trip.

“What a special trip to the wilds of Baja. Thanks again.”
— Terri G.
 
 
 
 

PICACHO DEL DIABLO SKILL & EXPERIENCE LEVEL

Participants must be in excellent physical shape. No previous climbing experience is required, but previous off-trail backpacking experience is required. There are three full days of strenuous backpacking & scrambling with a heavy pack.

DATES 2023/2024

Custom dates available only in Nov 2023 & Nov 2024

 

COST: Contact us for a quote

 

 

For more info on this trip please fill out the form below:

PICACHO DEL DIABLO CLIMB ITINERARY

We have two option on the Picacho del Diablo trip. You can choose to be picked up in San Diego on day one or you can choose to stay at the Adobe Guadalupe Winery and Inn near Ensenada the night before the trip and/or the night after the trip. With this option, we meet at the winery where there is a safe place to leave your vehicle.

Day 0 (Winery stay option)
We meet at the beautiful Adobe Guadalupe winery and Inn in the early afternoon where we are greeted with a glass of award-winning Adobe Guadalupe wine. The rest of the day is spent relaxing around the grounds of the winery with a personal tour and wine tasting. The evening is spent enjoying a gourmet dinner at the Adobe.
(includes gourmet 5-course winery dinner and all your wine during the meal)


Day 1
We travel South by private transportation from either San Diego or the Adobe Guadalupe winery past the city of Ensenada (with a short stop) and on into the Rancho Meling Guest Ranch near the entrance of the San Pedro Martir National Park. You will stay in private rooms at the Rancho Meling and enjoy a ranch dinner. (includes: Dinner)


Day 2
After breakfast at the ranch we drive to the trail head high up among the pines in the National Park. Donning our backpacks, we hike off-trail to our base camp for Picacho del Diablo. This involves cross-country travel and a strenuous 3,000 foot descent into the spectacular Canon del Diablo. We are rewarded with a serene basecamp in the bottom of the beautiful canyon along a year round stream. (includes: Breakfast and Dinner)

Day 3
Today is summit day. We leave camp early for our summit of Picacho del Diablo. With a lighter pack, we make our way up through rock gullies and pine trees to the summit. Occasionally we use our hands and feet and might make use of a rope for safety. We are rewarded with views from the top of Baja, California. From the summit you can see both the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean! We spend this evening back at our basecamp. This is a long day of scrambling and steep hiking. (includes: Breakfast and Dinner)

Day 4
After breakfast, we hike back to the trailhead which involves strenuous scrambling & hiking 3,000 feet up out of the Canon del Diablo and back to Rancho Meling for the night with a hot meal and a shower awaiting us).
(includes: Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 5
Today we make our way back to either the Adobe Guadalupe or San Diego (depending on the option chosen) arriving in the late afternoon after a lunch stop along the way. If you choose to stay another night at the Adobe, the rest of the day is spent relaxing and unwinding we will have another big dinner at the winery.
(includes: Breakfast) 

Itinerary subject to change