Above: Saddle Mountain from the Northeast.

Saddle Mountain is a volcanic upthrust that contains unique archaeological sites, wildlife habitat, interpretive geology, and dramatic scenery. Recognised by travellers for thousands of years, Saddle Mountain is a distinctive landmark located on the fringe of metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona--50 miles west of downtown. The mountain towers 2,000 feet above the Harquahala Plain at an altitude of 3,037 feet above sea level. Saddle Mountain and the Palo Verde Hills region share a history spanning thousands of years of prehistoric cultures that inhabited the deserts of western arizona. Three converging washes provided the Palo Verde Hills with an oasis-like environment. There, Winters Wash funneled water through the Palo Verde foothills creating lush stands of mesquite, ironwood, and Palo Verde trees. This environment provided sources of food and cover. Plus, both areas offered opportunities for hunting deer and bighorn sheep along with smaller game animals. An overview of cultures associated with this Saddle Mountain site stretch from Middle Archaic traditions of the Amargosa and Cochise to the later Patayan, Hakataya, and Hohokam to more recent historic Yavapai and lastly, to the historic Anglo American. This distinctive landform contains crucial desert bighorn sheep habitat that has been augumented by a water tank developed through the cooperative efforts of the Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and the BLM. Lush foliage creates a habitat valuable to a range of wildlife in the Palo Verde Hills, including the desert tortoise and approximately 162 other species. Threatened species within the area include Gila monster, kit fox, cooper hawk, and sharp-shinned hawk. Additionally, prairie falcons and golden eagles are found in the upper reaches of Saddle Mountain. The volcanic upthrust of the mountain has created a highly visual and educational example of geologic forces. Cliffs, spires, and buttes tinted by andesite, rhyolite, and basalt result in magnificent scenery. Another result of Saddle Mountain's complex volcanic history has been 'basketfulls' of colorful minerals scattered the northern skirt of the mountain. However, the once plentiful fire agate, chalcedony, and calcite "desert roses" have now become scarce. The mountain's pyroclastic rocks, distilled by eons of differential erosion, account for the dramatic scenery and multicolored strata that we see today. Complex geology makes Saddle Mountain simply beautiful. --This text from an Arizona Wilderness Coalition educational handout.

Below L: Camilla and ajo on the summit. Great day for skinnywalking!

Below R: GPS waypoints from the carpark south of Courthouse Road.

Saddle Mountain Trail Waypoints (ascending)

Carpark; N33d27.028m, W113d02.167m, 1450f MSL; is the carpark south of Courthouse Road.

T2; N33d26.889m, W113d02.010m; right turn off the trail that traverses the flats between the carpark and the pass of the Pioneer's Monument.

T3; N33d26.679m, W113d02.135m; right turn off this well defined trail to head more southwesterly and begin climbing steeply. If you make the turn at the right place you will find faint traces of trail that pass to the north (right) of a large outcrop of dark rock.

T4; N33d26.603m, W113d02.277m; near the base of the upper cliffs turn left, east of south, and climb the ramp that extends along the base of the cliff. The trail is faint, very rough and slippery, crosses several gullies, and eventually passes below the mouth of a small cave. Continue in this generally east of south direction, always climbing until you pass the south end of the cliff and come to a deep gully.

T5; N33d26.334m, W113d02.222m; turn southwest up into a small hanging valley at the head of the deep gully and work around to the south of the cliff wall. Continue up, and southwest, almost to the top of this col where it ends in a precipitous drop.

T6; N33d26.286m, W113d02.309m; another right turn, to the northwest, climbing steeply over the rubble to a fairly easy, almost level, final approach to the summit. To your left (west) is a sheer drop of a thousand feet. To the right is a steep decline rolling down to the top of the cliff that rises between T4 and T5. Ahead climbs gradually to the summit.

Summit; N33d26.385m, W113d02.415m, 3070 to 3100 according to my measure, 3037 according to the topo map; is indicated by a low stone cairn. Under the top rock is found a cookie tin, and a bench mark placed in 1947. There are two witness marks, a few yards roughly north and south of the summit marker. In the cookie tin is a log book.

The trail is 1.22 miles point to point but probably half again, maybe twice, as long with all the zigs and zags added in.
 

Good luck going down...

Casa Blanca Hot Spring in Tonopah is a great place for a base camp or a great place to go for a soak after your hike. The hot mineral water does a good job soothing tired muscles and dry skin.
 

All photos by ajo except the one of Camilla & ajo which is by Bill.
Copyright © 2006, A.J.Oxton, The Cat Drag'd Inn , 03813-0144.