Buckskin Mountains Archives – GlassMountains Trip Reports

I first noticed Planet Peak from the summit of Buckskin Benchmark in April 2020 and thought I should visit it some day. Planet Peak lies in the western extension of the Buckskin Mountains. It has 1541 feet of topographic prominence, making it the 141st most prominent peak in Arizona. It also has 20 miles of isolation, so it dominates the peaks around it for a radius of twenty miles.

Planet Peak distinctly rising about 22 miles west of the summit of Buckskin Benchmark in April 2020

Recently I researched access to the peak using USGS topographic maps and recorded GPS waypoints to follow the correct roads. I studied the roads using Google satellite views to verify the road conditions and open passage across the Hayden-Rhodes Aqueduct. I looked forward to finally visiting this remote peak.

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About two weeks ago, Saturday April 4, I left Tucson for a few days to visit three Arizona prominence peaks. Two of the peaks had been on my “Wish List” for a few years and I hoped to finally visit their summits. My first goal was to climb Buckskin Benchmark, the highpoint of the Buckskin Mountains just south of Arizona’s Alamo Lake State Park.

Buckskin Benchmark and the Buckskin Mountains in early morning light from my campsite

Buckskin Benchmark is the 86th most prominent peak in Arizona with 1887 feet of topographic prominence and 3927 feet of elevation. Three friends of mine, Matthias Stender, Michael Berry, and Scott Peavy climbed it on December 17,2017. With their trip report and given my pace I expected a long day, but not any route difficulties.

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Planet Peak, Arizona, December 2023

Buckskin Benchmark, Buckskin Mountains, Arizona, April 2020