From Smatko's camp - now easily located since fire pits and leveled areas abound - the view looking E by SE appears as in Sketch #2. I feel that this is a good camp to start the climb from because it can comfortably accommodate a large party and there is plenty of easily accessible water. It would be easier to locate than Cedar Camp by future parties.
Early Saturday morning fifteen climbers left Smatko's Camp and joined five of the six who had camped further up-canyon. Vern Jones the co-leader had incapacitating knee trouble which prevented him from attempting the climb. An attempt was first made to find Cedar Camp, but although Vern, Gordon and myself had been there in past years, the camp was not found this day. It was later learned that the group had bypassed it and crossed above the camp without realizing it. The re-growth of brush and trees probably accounted for this circumstance. Heading E and guided by Gordon Duce and I, we ascended a steep ridge (which we thought was the correct ridge leading out of Cedar Camp) for a gain of about 350 feet or so. Nothing looked familiar to either of us as we crossed ever to the left (N). We decided we were one ridge too far south and the party traversed into a wide canyon towards the next ridge north. It was necessary to drop the 350 feet gained. From this wide canyon only one canyon ascended eastward, but it was totally unfamiliar. It was already well after 10 o'clock and all but five decided net to proceed with the climb. Arky Erb and Ed lane led three others up the ridge to the N towards a "summit" (9100' on the sketch). Paul Nelsen, Neko Colevins and I proceeded up-canyon to reconnoiter. Arky and party succeeded in climbing the 9100' summit, from which they could see a higher summit SE (apparently the N Peak of Picacho del Diablo). It was too far and too difficult to attempt at this late hour. Paul, Neko and I climbed about 1800' up the canyon eastwards but did not proceed up to the ridge line, but we did see a high class 4 to 5 ridge leading SE - the north summit ridge of the N. Peak. From our position the climb of the mountain would have been extremely difficult (See Sketch #3).
All returned to Smatko's Camp at varying
intervals. Several including Vern Jons, had departed down canyon to make the
Sunday exit easier.Sunday the main party descended Canyon del Diablo while six remained to attempt the summit the same day. Arky, who led this group, related later that they found Cedar Camp on their return from climbing a 9600' summit south of Picacho del Diablo, again missing the right ridge. No time remained to make the true summit, and they reluctantly returned to camp. Picacho del Diablo had triumphed again, and convincingly so, since this was a strong party.
The return over the rope at the waterfall was uneventful. An underwater swim retrieved one