On Saturday, December 12, I joined climbers from Las Vegas and Phoenix to climb the high point of the Sierra Estrella, just west of Phoenix. I mostly hike/climb solo anymore, but I was glad to be part of a competent group on this peak to help with routefinding and motivation on a long off-trail ascent over rock and through cactus. There were many opportunities to make a mistake ascending and descending a rocky ridge and dry waterfalls in a wash. It was also helpful to follow others on a primitive jeep trail to get to the start of the climb.
The Sierra Estrella high point is just beyond the rock pinnacle visible left of center on the far ridge in the photo above. We ascended the rock ridge in the center of the photo. On our descent we followed the ridge a short distance down, then descended left into the gully/wash to the right of the ridge from this view.
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