Climbing Reports

Travel using both feet and hands, whether scrambling unroped or technical climbing using rope and anchors.

South Pyramid, Oregon, September 2026

October 2, 2026 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

On Wednesday, September 30, I climbed South Pyramid in the Western Cascade Range of Oregon. This peak is west of Oregon Highway 22 northwest of Santiam Junction. South Pyramid has 1588 feet of topographic prominence and has a rock tower for a summit. It has been on my wish list for several years.

South Pyramid (left) and Middle Pyramid from FR 560

In August 2021 Ken Russell and I hiked the Pyramids Trail #3380 to the summit of Middle Pyramid. This was a nice trail and the rocky summit had excellent views. On our descent we attempted to access South Pyramid as well but the route from Middle Pyramid did not work for us. I hoped I might try South Pyramid by another route sometime later.

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Cookes Peak, New Mexico, February 2026

February 22, 2026 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

On Monday, February 9, I climbed Cookes Peak, the highpoint of the Cookes Range in Southwestern New Mexico. Cookes Peak is a remarkable landmark, one I have often admired as we passed by on our autumn and spring migrations between Arizona and Oregon. I had not had an opportunity earlier to stop and visit it. But this month we decided to spend some days camped at City of Rocks State Park in New Mexico. This provided me my chance to finally visit Cookes Peak.

Our campsite at City of Rocks State Park, New Mexico

Sunday we drove from Tucson east to Demming, then north towards Silver City, and parked at our small campsite amongst the curious rock towers at the park. The site was flat and had room for both our RV and my Jeep.

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Castle Rock, Oregon, August 2025

August 16, 2025 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

On Wednesday, August 6, I climbed Castle Rock, a steep volcanic plug north of the community of Juntura in Eastern Oregon. It seems located in a transition region between Oregon’s Blue Mountains and High Lava Plains. I have often noted Castle Rock rising above as I drove east over Drinkwater Pass between Burns and Juntura. Castle Rock is also prominent to the south from many peaks in the southern Blue Mountains. In fact, it has 1524 feet of topographic prominence and a distinctive shape.

Distant Castle Rock to the north from Black Butte (Malheur County)

I began my adventure the day before, Tuesday, driving from the Baker Valley to Juntura. From Juntura I followed the Juntura-Riverside Road, then a more primitive road to the summit of Black Butte. This Black Butte is a prominent peak west of Juntura. From the summit of Black Butte I could see my next goal, Castle Rock, to the north.

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Southern Perilla Peaks, Arizona, April 2025

April 27, 2025 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

On Monday, April 21, I climbed Perilla Benchmark and South Perilla High Point, both peaks in the Southern Perilla Mountains east of Douglas, Arizona. These peaks lie a short distance north of the USA/Mexico border wall. The South Perilla High Point caught my interest because it has 1286 feet of topographic prominence. On the way to it I also climbed over Perilla Benchmark.

Peak 5829 and the South Perilla Mountains from my road hike

That morning I drove from Tucson to Douglas. From Douglas I drove east on the Geronimo Trail. After a few miles I turned north on a primitive road and drove in towards the South Perilla Mountains. I decided to park before reaching the end of the road and hiked the rest of the road to a draw with a sandy wash at its bottom.

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