See comments and additions entry that I posted the week of April 12 about the climb. Note that there is now a BLM road that takes you around the private property
"corral" about 10.8 miles in. The BLM road gets rather rough quickly as it crosses an arroyo and then climbs steeply out. My outback was able to make this without too much difficulty. I would not attempt it in anything less. The climb is similar to other's descriptions. The weather was mild, with only modest breezes. I do recommend a GPS unit to be sure you don't go off trail.
hearsay - Jan 11, 2015 6:24 pm Date Climbed: Jan 10, 2015
Great trail up OK Canyon to gain SE ridge
To my knowledge, the new route has not yet been documented on this website aside from Eric-Griz's brief comment regarding his return trip below:
Drove the new-ish jeep road signed "Cooke's Town" a couple of miles and parked just south of Shale Spring as labelled on topo maps. This was not at a proper trailhead, just simply on the side of the road. Hiked cross country to enter the mouth of OK Canyon at a solar-powered trough gushing with water. Picked up a trail at this windmill/solar trough which takes you to the summit. Routefinding is easy aside from a burn area in the oaks about half way up.
Predictably incredible views up top. Camping on the peak would be okay for maybe up to 3 people, was great for the 2 of us. Windbreak in the form of a low rock wall was a welcome respite from the constant 15 mph winds and a soaking frost. Setting a tent up would not be recommended...
eric-griz - Aug 21, 2012 9:37 pm Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2012
Impressive summit
Parked near a sign for Cooke's Town and hiked up a rough road for a bit. Then I hike up a ridge to the summit. Found a cairned trail on the summit ridge that turned into an engineered trail complete with waterbars. Hiked this trail down to the mouth of a canyon then hiked cross-country past an old mining shack and back to the road to my car.
strudolyubov - Feb 19, 2012 6:15 pm Date Climbed: Feb 18, 2012
NE Ridge
Direct ascent of NE Ridge after a good snowstorm. Parked 0.5 miles below "TH", hiked to the end of the abandoned 4WD road and climbed to the top of the ridge directly passing the old mine. There was 1/2 to 1 foot of snow on the ridge and in the canyon. Nice hike/climb, beautiful weather, great views.
Bezoar Goat - Nov 28, 2011 1:39 pm Date Climbed: Nov 28, 2011
East Route
Perfect time of year for it.
Farmdog - Mar 20, 2010 6:43 pm Date Climbed: Mar 13, 2010
East Approach
Followed CR A019 to Cookes Town road. Parked on BLM property and hiked in from the east side.
Vinegaroon - Jul 5, 2009 3:26 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2009
Great Views
Nice views, tough hike... Fought my way up, but found better route coming down...
weeds19 - Aug 8, 2007 12:37 am Date Climbed: May 20, 2006
Every ounce
I drank every ounce of water ( ~130) that I had with me and could have easily consumed 100 more. The views were great and the sparrows were flying low. A nice climb with lizrdboy.
markhyams - Apr 2, 2007 6:11 pm Date Climbed: Mar 28, 2007
SE Approach
Good climb, and following Gerry Roach's directions proved useful. There was even a stream flowing!
lizrdboy - Feb 23, 2007 1:57 am Date Climbed: May 20, 2006
Hot...need water
We took 7 hours to make the 12 mile roundtrip to the lonely summit. The hot weather and scant trails were the main obstacles. Take more that 4 liters if hiking in the summer. The summit was quite satisfying: small and airy with vertical cliffs dropping off on three sides. We were repeatedly buzzed by swallows practicing their dog fighting skills - impressive.
Route Climbed: Northeast Approach Date Climbed: Apr 11, 2004
We did fine despite inclement weather. Unfortunately I never actually 'saw' the mountain during the hike. Would like to go back some day for a go in better weather.
Route Climbed: northeast(from ghost town) Date Climbed: Sept 1993
We obtained permission from the ghost town landowner to camp there and climb the mountain from the NE. To reach the summit we climbed the prominent gully on the east side of the summit block.
It was a difficult class 3+ with much loose rock.
I don't think it had been climbed as there are several
easier routes. The Apaches used this mountain as
a lookout post as you can see forever in any direction.
ppbradpp - Apr 22, 2021 8:45 pm Date Climbed: Apr 10, 2021
Successful climb on April 10, 2021See comments and additions entry that I posted the week of April 12 about the climb. Note that there is now a BLM road that takes you around the private property
"corral" about 10.8 miles in. The BLM road gets rather rough quickly as it crosses an arroyo and then climbs steeply out. My outback was able to make this without too much difficulty. I would not attempt it in anything less. The climb is similar to other's descriptions. The weather was mild, with only modest breezes. I do recommend a GPS unit to be sure you don't go off trail.
hearsay - Jan 11, 2015 6:24 pm Date Climbed: Jan 10, 2015
Great trail up OK Canyon to gain SE ridgeTo my knowledge, the new route has not yet been documented on this website aside from Eric-Griz's brief comment regarding his return trip below:
Drove the new-ish jeep road signed "Cooke's Town" a couple of miles and parked just south of Shale Spring as labelled on topo maps. This was not at a proper trailhead, just simply on the side of the road. Hiked cross country to enter the mouth of OK Canyon at a solar-powered trough gushing with water. Picked up a trail at this windmill/solar trough which takes you to the summit. Routefinding is easy aside from a burn area in the oaks about half way up.
Predictably incredible views up top. Camping on the peak would be okay for maybe up to 3 people, was great for the 2 of us. Windbreak in the form of a low rock wall was a welcome respite from the constant 15 mph winds and a soaking frost. Setting a tent up would not be recommended...
eric-griz - Aug 21, 2012 9:37 pm Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2012
Impressive summitParked near a sign for Cooke's Town and hiked up a rough road for a bit. Then I hike up a ridge to the summit. Found a cairned trail on the summit ridge that turned into an engineered trail complete with waterbars. Hiked this trail down to the mouth of a canyon then hiked cross-country past an old mining shack and back to the road to my car.
strudolyubov - Feb 19, 2012 6:15 pm Date Climbed: Feb 18, 2012
NE RidgeDirect ascent of NE Ridge after a good snowstorm. Parked 0.5 miles below "TH", hiked to the end of the abandoned 4WD road and climbed to the top of the ridge directly passing the old mine. There was 1/2 to 1 foot of snow on the ridge and in the canyon. Nice hike/climb, beautiful weather, great views.
Click here to see the Cookes Peak picture album.
Bezoar Goat - Nov 28, 2011 1:39 pm Date Climbed: Nov 28, 2011
East RoutePerfect time of year for it.
Farmdog - Mar 20, 2010 6:43 pm Date Climbed: Mar 13, 2010
East ApproachFollowed CR A019 to Cookes Town road. Parked on BLM property and hiked in from the east side.
Vinegaroon - Jul 5, 2009 3:26 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2009
Great ViewsNice views, tough hike... Fought my way up, but found better route coming down...
weeds19 - Aug 8, 2007 12:37 am Date Climbed: May 20, 2006
Every ounceI drank every ounce of water ( ~130) that I had with me and could have easily consumed 100 more. The views were great and the sparrows were flying low. A nice climb with lizrdboy.
markhyams - Apr 2, 2007 6:11 pm Date Climbed: Mar 28, 2007
SE ApproachGood climb, and following Gerry Roach's directions proved useful. There was even a stream flowing!
lizrdboy - Feb 23, 2007 1:57 am Date Climbed: May 20, 2006
Hot...need waterWe took 7 hours to make the 12 mile roundtrip to the lonely summit. The hot weather and scant trails were the main obstacles. Take more that 4 liters if hiking in the summer. The summit was quite satisfying: small and airy with vertical cliffs dropping off on three sides. We were repeatedly buzzed by swallows practicing their dog fighting skills - impressive.
surgent - Jul 21, 2005 4:36 pm Date Climbed: Apr 11, 2004
Route Climbed: Northeast Approach Date Climbed: Apr 11, 2004We did fine despite inclement weather. Unfortunately I never actually 'saw' the mountain during the hike. Would like to go back some day for a go in better weather.
easleygone - Apr 2, 2005 1:02 am
Route Climbed: northeast(from ghost town) Date Climbed: Sept 1993We obtained permission from the ghost town landowner to camp there and climb the mountain from the NE. To reach the summit we climbed the prominent gully on the east side of the summit block.
It was a difficult class 3+ with much loose rock.
I don't think it had been climbed as there are several
easier routes. The Apaches used this mountain as
a lookout post as you can see forever in any direction.
It is well worth the effort!
wbass - May 26, 2004 11:10 am
Date Climbed: December 2003Spectacular 360 deg. view. Register pens were out of ink.