Climbing Reports

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

Black Diamond Peak and Henry Peak, Arizona, February 2025

February 16, 2025 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

On Friday, February 7, I climbed Black Diamond Peak and Henry Peak (Peak 7155) in the southern Dragoon Mountains of Southern Arizona. I noted both peaks to the south when I hiked Sala Benchmark last December. I also noted at that time a road that climbed steeply up a canyon north of them. Indeed, the road proved to be drivable and I was able to visit both peaks on a pleasant winter day.

Black Diamond Peak (L) and Henry Peak just beyond Peak 7091 from Sala Benchmark

Black Diamond Peak has 7146 feet of elevation and 626 feet of topographic prominence. Its summit is a narrow NW to SE ridge with cliffs on most sides. The peak is named after the Black Diamond Mine, discovered by prospector Albert George in 1880. Albert George was killed in 1883 by the Apache, though the mine was quite productive for many years thereafter.

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Elephant Head, Arizona, January 2025

February 5, 2025 by Paul McClellan 1 Comment

On Friday, January 24, I joined a large Southern Arizona Hiking Club outing to climb Elephant Head, a rock buttress on the west end of the Santa Rita Mountains. There were 16 of us, 5 men and 11 women, led by Bill Bens and Tammy Derickson. This was the first visit for many of us. The climb of Elephant Head was more than I and others had expected. But everyone reached the top and returned without incident to our cars in good spirits.

The South Face of Elephant Head from the Quantrell Mine Trail

We met that cold morning in Tucson and caravanned south, then east, leaving asphalt and finishing the drive on dirt/gravel roads. Bill set a brisk pace from the beginning and I tried to keep up from near the end of the group. At a few rest stops I was able to get some photos but otherwise I just kept moving.

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OK Notch Peak, Arizona, December 2024

January 7, 2025 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

On New Years Eve I climbed “OK Notch Peak” in the Southern Dragoon Mountains of Arizona east of the city of Tombstone, Arizona. OK Notch Peak is named for the “OK Notch” that lies on its northern ridge. This peak has 1084 feet of topographic prominence, making it a “P1K” and an attractive goal for local peakbaggers. Several of my peakbagging friends have climbed OK Notch Peak. They have published useful trip reports, and I expected a short, but rewarding outing close to my home in Tucson.

That morning I drove to Tombstone, then turned east on Gleeson Road. After several miles I found the dirt road providing access to OK Notch Peak and I passed through an unlocked wire gate.

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Johnny Lyon Hills Highpoint, Arizona, December 2024

December 27, 2024 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

On Friday, December 20, I climbed the highpoint of the Johnny Lyon Hills, north of Benson, Arizona. The Johnny Lyon Hills highpoint has 1149 feet of topographic prominence. The hills rise above the San Pedro Valley and the highpoint provides nice views of many surrounding Sonoran Desert mountain ranges. So it is a worthwhile peak to visit. The Johnny Lyon Hills are notable from I-10 and surrounding mountain ranges, if you know where to look.

Johnny Lyon Hills from N. Cascabel Road in the San Pedro Valley

Several of my peakbagging friends, including Wade Luther, Matthias Stender, and Scott Surgent had climbed the highpoint before. Their trip reports, GPS tracks, and road access notes were helpful – I would not be exploring new routes today.

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