GlassMountains Trip Reports

Exploring the backcountry and wilderness of the Western USA.

Trip Reports

Ben Nevis Mountain, Arizona, November 2022

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On Saturday morning, November 26, I met Scott Peavy and and Matthias Stender at the Gu Achi Trading Post beside Arizona Highway 86. Our plan was to climb Ben Nevis Mountain located in Pima County, Arizona. Ben Nevis Mountain has 1691 feet of topographic prominence, tying with Whitlock Peak as the 108th most prominent peak in Arizona.

Ben Nevis Mountain to the west from Arizona Highway 86
Ben Nevis Mountain to the west from Arizona Highway 86

We have admired Ben Nevis Mountain from nearby South Mountain and traveling the highway and were glad to have a chance to finally visit it.

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Nose Benchmark, Arizona, November 2022

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On Saturday morning, November 19, I met Scott Peavy and we drove in to park below Nose Benchmark, a prominent peak in the Gila Bend Mountains north of Gila Bend, Arizona. Nose Benchmark has 1429 feet of topographic prominence, putting it down the list as the 174th most prominent peak in Arizona.

Nose Benchmark from the north. This profile resembles a face, with the summit forming the nose and the chin and throat to the left.
Nose Benchmark from the north. This profile resembles a face, with the summit forming the nose and the chin and throat to the left.

More significantly to me, Nose Benchmark is a notable peak I often see as I bypass Phoenix on AZ Highway 85 either with Linda on our migrations to Tucson or as I pass by exploring other mountains of Arizona. I was glad for the opportunity to share a climb of Nose Benchmark with Scott, who I have climbed with several times over the past several winter seasons in Arizona.

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Black Mountain (Pima), Arizona, February 2022

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Linda and I recently boondocked near an abandoned mine off the Darby Well Road southwest of Ajo. Over the next two days I climbed Sauceda Benchmark and Black Mountain (Pima) while Linda explored the area on bicycle and foot. It was a sheltered and pleasant campsite.

Black Mountain from the southwest; the summit is on the left
Black Mountain from the southwest; the summit is on the left

My goal the second day was to climb Black Mountain, rising just to the south of our campsite. I know of four Black Mountains with at least 1000 feet of prominence in Arizona. This Black Mountain has 1328 feet of prominence and lies in the Little Ajo Mountains of Pima County south of Ajo. The northern slopes appeared quite steep from our campsite but some friends had found a good route up its southwest ridge that I intended to try.

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Sauceda Benchmark, Arizona, February 2022

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Linda and I recently took our first boondocking trip of the winter season near Ajo, Arizona. On Thursday, February 10, we drove in and parked our trailer on a concrete slab near an abandoned mine off the Darby Well Road southwest of Ajo. Over the next two days I climbed Sauceda Benchmark and Black Mountain while Linda explored the area on bicycle and foot. It was a sheltered and pleasant campsite.

Sauceda Benchmark peeks above the Sikort Chuapo Mountains as I drive in on the Pipeline Road
Sauceda Benchmark peeks above the Sikort Chuapo Mountains as I drive in on the Pipeline Road

My first climb was Sauceda Benchmark. With 1595 feet of prominence Sauceda Benchmark is the 126th most prominent peak in Arizona and the highpoint of the Sauceda Mountains. From our camp Friday morning, February 11, I drove to just south of Ajo, then turned northeast on the Pipeline Road.

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