Tohono O'odham Nation Archives – GlassMountains Trip Reports

On Saturday, December 10, Matthias Stender, Scott Peavy, Michael Vincent, and I climbed Horse Peak, the summit of Moreno Mountain. Horse Peak lies just north of the USA/Mexico Border in the Chukut Kuk District of the Tonoho O’odham Nation. Horse Peak has 4343 feet of elevation and 1407 feet of topographic prominence, making it the 178th most prominent peak in Arizona.

Our view of Morena Mountain/Horse Peak off Indian Road 19 at the Chukut Kuk District boundary. — Our view of Morena Mountain/Horse Peak off Indian Road 19 at the Chukut Kuk District boundary

We had been very fortunate to obtain permission to enter and travel through the Chukut Kuk District. Last spring I learned the District had a process for requesting entry, though I was doubtful that permission would be granted. But we were a small group of “avid hikers” and the District Vice Chairman and Chairwoman did generously grant us permission.

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On January 21 Josef Nuernberger and I drove into the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation (Tohono O’odham Nation) and climbed Gu Achi Peak, the highpoint of the Santa Rosa Mountains and one of the 73 Arizona peaks with at least 2000 feet of prominence.

Gu Achi Peak is rarely climbed due to remoteness, lack of online access information, and a reputation for the locals being unwelcoming of visitors. With some road access research provided by Eric Kassan, Josef and I found the drive in from the south to be straightforward (with suitable maps, vehicle clearance, and good tires). The only local inhabitant we saw, in the tiny community of Sil Nakya, appeared friendly and we saw no other vehicles once we left pavement near there.

Our route up the peak followed an east-ward facing ridge with mostly firm footing and which steepened near the top and provided some class 2 and 3 scrambling. The weather was ideal and the summit provided views of other Southern Arizona peaks I have visited and many more I hope to visit in the future.

Gu Achi Peak from the approach road from the south

We found little information about road access to Gu Achi Peak, so I have included my driving directions here. This approaches Gu Achi Peak from the south Starting on Arizona Highway 86.

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Horse Peak, Arizona, December 2022

Gu Achi Peak, Arizona, January 2016