Mount Wrightson
| Mount Wrightson | |
|---|---|
Mount Wrightson from Madera Canyon.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 9,456 ft (2,882 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 4,578 ft (1,395 m) |
| Coordinates | 31°41′45″N 110°50′54″W / 31.695966383°N 110.848223933°WCoordinates: 31°41′45″N 110°50′54″W / 31.695966383°N 110.848223933°W |
| Geography | |
| Location | Santa Cruz County, Arizona, U.S. |
| Parent range | Santa Rita Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Mount Wrightson (AZ) |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Walk up (class 1) |
Mount Wrightson is a 9,456-foot (2,882 m) peak in the Santa Rita Mountains within the Coronado National Forest, in southern Arizona, United States.
It was named for William Wrightson, a miner and entrepreneur in the region killed by Apaches in the 1865 Battle of Fort Buchanan.
Mt. Wrightson is the highest point in the Santa Rita Mountains and the Tucson region, lying 40 miles (64 km) southeast of the city. Its distinctive pyramid-shaped profile is visible from much of southeastern Arizona and adjoining areas in Sonora, Mexico.
The mountain is known for the spectacular view from its barren peak, nearly 7,000 feet (2,100 m) feet above Tucson.
Mt. Wrightson's flora includes grassy, high desert chaparral, mixed conifers with Arizona, Apache, and Chihuahua pines, Arizona madrone, aspen, oak brush, and Douglas fir and ponderosa pine near the summit.
Fauna on Mt. Wrightson include birds such as the scrub jay and ravens high up near the peak, Coues white-tailed deer, black bear, and (rarely) mountain lion.
The shortest route is the Old Baldy Trail, a steady climb of over 4,000 feet (1,200 m) over 5.4 miles (8.7 km) to the exposed summit. The Super Trail, also from the Madera Canyon trailhead, is not as steep but is far longer at 8.1 miles (13.0 km). These two trails intersect at Josephine Saddle (7,080 feet, 2,160 m) halfway to the peak, so hikers can choose one route for the lower path and one route for the upper. To reach the trailhead, take exit 63 off of I-19 south of Tucson, and turn east toward Continental. Turn right on Whitehouse Cyn. Rd, following it until it eventually turns into Madera Canyon Road. Parking is plentiful at and below the trailhead, which is at the end of the road.
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Wikipedia