GlassMountains Trip Reports

Exploring the backcountry and wilderness of the Western USA.

Trip Reports

Elephant Head, Arizona, January 2025

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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
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

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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.

OK Notch Peak from near Gleeson Road
OK Notch Peak from near Gleeson Road

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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Sala Benchmark, Arizona, December 2024

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On Christmas Eve I hiked to the summit of Sala Benchmark, a peak in the Southern Dragoon Mountains of Arizona. Sala Benchmark has 1264 feet of topographic prominence and rises to the east above Cochise Stronghold.

Cochise Stronghold, China Peak, and Sala Benchmark from Middlemarch Road
Cochise Stronghold, China Peak, and Sala Benchmark from Middlemarch Road

Several of people had visited it before me and had published helpful trip reports. This was to be a short hike, mostly on an unmaintained trail. I expected few surprises.

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Johnny Lyon Hills Highpoint, Arizona, December 2024

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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
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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