GlassMountains Trip Reports

Exploring the backcountry and wilderness of the Western USA.

Trip Reports

  • SITE HOME
  • ALL
  • BICYCLING
  • CLIMBING
  • HIKING
  • SKIING
  • FAMILY

Pinnacle Ridge Attempt, Arizona, April 2016

April 8, 2016 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

On April 3 several friends and I attempted to climb Pinnacle Ridge in the Santa Teresa Mountains of Arizona. Pinnacle Ridge is rarely visible for those who stick to highway travel across Arizona. But Pinnacle Ridge has 2470 feet of prominence, making it the 40th most prominent peak in Arizona. We encountered much more brush than we had expected which slowed our progress considerably. With member time constraints we eventually had to turn around well short of the summit.

Pinnacle Ridge from the summit of Mount Turnbull
Pinnacle Ridge from the summit of Mount Turnbull

My first view of Pinnacle Ridge was on the previous day from the summit of Mount Turnbull. Pinnacle Ridge is hidden from highway views except for possibly a short section of US 70 west of Safford, AZ. From Mount Turnbull it appears to be a remote, compact, and rocky mountain range to the south.

[Read more…] about Pinnacle Ridge Attempt, Arizona, April 2016

Filed Under: Climbing Tagged With: Arizona, Attempt, Pinnacle Ridge, Santa Teresa Mountains

Coyote Mountain Attempt, Arizona, January 2016

January 27, 2016 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

On January 23 I joined two friends, Eric Kassan, and Kay Komuro, for an attempt on Coyote Mountain west of Tucson, Arizona. Coyote Mountain is a steep and rocky mountain just east of Kitt Peak. It has a long-abandoned trail leading towards the summit. We greatly underestimated the peak and decided to turn back short of the summit. I learned a lot about Coyote Mountain and plan to try again soon.

Coyote Mountain from AZ Highway 86
Coyote Mountain from AZ Highway 86

I got good morning views of Coyote Mountain from the east and north from Tucson on Arizona Hwy 86. That morning, it seemed every other vehicle I met on this highway was a Border Patrol vehicle. I wondered if that was normal for a Saturday morning.

[Read more…] about Coyote Mountain Attempt, Arizona, January 2016

Filed Under: Climbing Tagged With: Arizona, Attempt, Coyote Mountain

RECENT POSTS

  • Cookes Peak, New Mexico, February 2026
  • Tandem Skydiving, Oregon, August 2025
  • Castle Rock, Oregon, August 2025
  • Fish Creek Mountain, Oregon, July 2025

MONTHLY ARCHIVES

Blogroll

  • Arizona Peaks (Peavy)
  • Cycle Uphill (Sharp)
  • Desert Mountaineer (Kasian)
  • Earthline: The American West (Van Winegarden)
  • jessb.org (Beauchemin)
  • New Bohemians (Rogers)
  • Stav is Lost
  • The Mountains of Arizona (Surgent)
  • The Zenith (Baker)

Site content Copyright © 2026 Paul J. McClellan. All rights reserved.
Copyright Details
Log in