Climbing Reports

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

Quijotoa and Artesa Mountains Highpoints, Arizona, January 2020

January 30, 2020 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

There are many little mountain ranges in the Sonoran Desert west of Tucson. They may not have the prominence of other, bigger mountain ranges, but it can be fun to visit them for their views, solitude, and sense of mystery. I recently visited the highpoints of two little mountain ranges, the Quijotoa and Artesa Mountains.

Quijotoa Mountains Highpoint

On Saturday morning, January 18, I drove west through Sells, then north on Arizona Highway 86 looking for a road leading towards the east side of the Quijotoa Mountains and up to the highpoint of the range. I found the road I wanted and followed it through a village and two open gates.

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Tat Momoli and Silver Reef Mountains Highpoints, Arizona, January 2020

January 21, 2020 by Paul McClellan 2 Comments

On Thursday, January 2nd, three friends and I climbed the highpoints of the Tat Momoli and Silver Reef Mountains southwest of Casa Grande, Arizona. These little mountain ranges are visible from the Casa Grande Mountains, a popular hiking area for residents of Casa Grande.

The Silver Reef Mountains and the Tat Momoli Mountains (right) from the Casa Grande Mountains

I was accompanied by Bill Hiscox, June Meyer, and Brian Larson, fellow members of the Southern Arizona Hiking Club. It was the first time on foot in these mountains for all of us.

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North Star Peak, Arizona, December 2019

December 26, 2019 by Paul McClellan 1 Comment

North Star Peak from Forest Hill, Little Rincon Mountains

I first saw North Star Peak from the summit of Forest Hill, the highpoint of the Little Rincon Mountains, last March. It appeared to be an interesting peak and worth a visit. So I was eager to join other Southern Arizona Hiking Club members early December to climb it.

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Mickey Butte, Oregon, September 2019

November 2, 2019 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

On Saturday, September 21, I drove to Mickey Hot Springs, just north of the Alvord Desert east of Steens Mountain. Mickey Butte has only 6294 feet of elevation, but is the 80th most prominent peak in Oregon with 1934 feet of clean topographic prominence.

My first view of Mickey Butte from the East Steens Road south of Oregon Highway 78.

The "quiet pool" with Mickey Butte in the center distance — The “quiet pool” with Mickey Butte in the center distance

Saturday afternoon I met Michael and John for a climb of Mickey Butte the next day. This is a rather remote area and I was glad to have a couple of experienced and capable peakbaggers with me.

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