On New Years Eve I hiked Atascosa Peak, the highpoint of the Atascosa Mountains of Southern Arizona. Atascosa Peak is one of the “Coronado 12” peaks, the highpoints of the 12 units of the Coronado National Forest. With 1976 feet of topographical prominence it is the 78th most prominent peak in Arizona.
There was a nice trail leading to the Atascosa Lookout site. From there I descended to the saddle north of the lookout site and up to the summit of Atascosa Peak. This required cross country travel with some scrambling over class 2-3 rock and through some brush. The weather was ideal and I had the traverse out to the summit and back all to myself.
The above photo is of Atascosa Peak looking west from above Peña Blanca Lake near the end of Arizona highway 289. The Lookout site is located on the high point on the left. The summit of Atascosa Peak is the high point on the right, about 1 mile north of the lookout site.
[Read more…] about Atascosa Peak, Arizona, December 2015