The Harquahala Mountains was a perfect selection for a semi-night
run. The Taco/Jeep/Chevy caravan consisted of:
Chris – AZTacoma (Trail Leader)
Jim - Ruby Can
Brett - Coma
DD - Pirate Queen
Ryan - ryangibson
Rob – a31gun
Damien - (Not registered)
Spencer - (Not registered)
Jim G - (Not registered)
The Harquahala Mountains are the highest mountain range in
southwestern Arizona and are located southwest of the towns of
Aguila and Wenden. The name originated from a local Native American
people "Aha qua hala" which meant "water there is high
up". The range is oriented from northeast to southwest and is
approximately 32 km. long and 20 km at its widest point. At the
northeast are two prominet peaks, Eagle Eye Peak and Eagle Eye
Mountain. One has a natural opening or bridge through it appearing as
an eye high up, and is the namesake for the peaks and Aguila (Spanish
for eagle). The highest point, Harquahala Peak, rises to 1732 meters.
Socorro Peak (1134 m) is at the southwest end of the range.
The very windy summit can be reached via a rough, 4-wheel drive
road. This high point was used by the U.S. Army in the 1880s as a
heliograph station. Then in 1920 a Smithsonian Astrophysical
Observatory was constructed on this summit and operated for five
years before being relocated to Table Mountain, near Wrightwood,
California. Its purpose was to study variations in the solar output
as a possible factor in climate prediction.
Designated in 1990, the 22,880-acre (93 km²) Harquahala
Mountain Wilderness Area lies to the north and east of the summit.
At the southwest end of the mountain range, there are gypsum mines
and in the past there were extensive mines for gold and silver.
Here are some photos (Some taken by Coma):
Chris, when you return, please post the photo's you took, THX.