Desert Mountains
For some time, I have jokingly kicked around the idea of making it a game to try to
visit every mountain range in the deserts of Arizona and California. This could
easily be expanded to include Nevada, Utah, and New Mexico, but two states will do
for now. In early 2009, I decided to actually make a list and see how my score was
going thus far. I am dividing the desert areas in Arizona and California into "zones"
as I see fit (it is my game after all), but hopefully the divisions will make some sense
to others also.
The way the game is played, just a day visit doesn't count, you have to spend a night
camping. A significant hike counts also. Enough time has to be spent to taste the
flavor of that mountain range.
Arizona - southeast
Since I live in Tucson, these are my regular stomping grounds.
- Santa Catalina Mountains - many trips from 1970 and on.
- Rincon Mountains - many trips from 1970 and on.
- Santa Rita Mountains - countless trips from 1970 and on.
Arizona - southwest
Anything on the "other side of Phoenix", or out towards Yuma.
- Little Harquahala Mountains - 1/2009 with Eric Phillips.
- Big Horn Mountains - 1/2009 with Eric Phillips.
- Belmont Mountains - 2007 or so, with Paul Trebisky
- Castle Dome Mountains - 1990's - with Jeff Rill, Curt Blair, and the boys
- Kofa Mountains - 1/2007, with Mark Patton
- South Maricopa Mountains - 12/12/2009 with Curt Blair.
- Trigo Mountains - 1/2008, with Mark Patton
- Agua Dulce Mountains - 1990's with Curt Blair at Papago Well
Arizona - central highlands
Not really desert, but there are lots of places to visit that
will be more pleasant in the summer months.
Arizona - northwest
Up around Kingman and northwest of Wickenburg.
- Cerbat Mountains - 9/2008 with Michael Shannon and Michael Cline.
California - central mohave
Pretty much anything that isn't in what I call the
Death Valley Area.
- Rodman Mountains - 2005 or so with Curt Blair, a surprising place and a memorable night.
- Cady Mountains - 1970 or so with my parents, need a return trip.
- Old Woman Mountains - 2005 or so with Curt Blair - camped and hiked both.
California - Death Valley area
I tell people I am going to Death Valley and end up anyplace almost, so
I will define this in my own fashion.
- Owls Head Mountains - 2005 or so with Curt and Judy Blair.
- Avawatz Mountains - waiting for a visit and a hike.
California - south
Anything south of Joshua Tree National Park, and maybe even I will include
the Park as well in this zone. I am tempted to exclude the mountains to the west
of Salton Sea, they are just to close to San Diego.
- Chocolate Mountains
- Cargo Muchacho Mountains
- Orocopia Mountains
- Chuckwalla Mountains
- Little Chuckwalla Mountains
- Palo Verde Mountains
- Mule Mountains - probably back in 1973 I spent a wonderful night near Wiley's Well with
my parents, but sleeping in the back of our International Travell-All.
- Coyote Mountains - (getting mighty close to San Diego!)
- Fish Creek Mountains
- Vallecito Mountains
- Santa Rosa Mountains
Have any comments? Questions?
Drop me a line!
Tom's hiking pages / tom@mmto.org