Pico de Orizaba is the highest mountain in Mexico. Its 18,491 foot peak is the third highest in North America. Mt. Mkinley in Alaska (AKA Mt. Denali) is the highest peak in North America - its elevation is 20,320 feet. The second highest North American peak is Mt. Logan, which is 19,541 feet. Mt. Logan is in the Yukon territory. .

Pico de Orizaba is a popular mountain for both novice and expert climbers alike. While the mountain is known as a great destination for beginner climbers, it's also developed a reputation as an excellent training ground for seasoned mountaineering experts.

Pico de Orizaba is located on the eastern edge of the Eje Volanico Transveral Mountain range. It sits inbetween the states of Puebal and Veracruz, overlooking the city of Orizaba (where it gets its name), and is about 75 miles inland from the port of Veracruz.

There is a small village at the base of Orizaba. The village is called Tlachachuca. If you're visiting the town for the first time, you'll get a sense that the entire community revovles around mountaineering. Indead it does. The locals depend upon the tourists and glacial climbers for their earnings. You'll find lodging, 4x4 taxi service, and plenty of local guides that will gladly help you reach Orizaba's summit.

Orizaba is ranked 7th in the world for topographic prominence. Basically, that means it can be seen for a very long distance. Although the mountain sits 75 miles inland from the coast (west of Veracruz port), its peak is highly visible to ships entering the Gulf of Mexico. And every morning, sunrise first strikes Orizaba's peak while the port city of Veracruz is still in darkness. It's an amazing sight!

There are only three mountains in Mexico that contain permanent snow and ice. Orizaba is one of them. The other two are Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl.