Mount Wrightson is the highest point in the area around Tucson, Arizona

Arizona

Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 at an elevation of 9,453 feet (2,881 m.). Mount Wrightson is located in the Santa Rita Mountains

Santa Rita Mountains

The Santa Rita Mountains, located about 65 km southeast of Tucson, Arizona, extend 42 km from north to south, then trending southeast. They merge again southeastwards into the Patagonia Mountains, trending northwest by southeast...

 40 miles (64.4 km) southeast of Tucson in the Coronado National Forest

Coronado National Forest

The Coronado National Forest includes an area of about 1.78 million acres spread throughout mountain ranges in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico....

. It was named for William Wrightson, who was a miner and entrepreneur in the region. He was killed in the 1860s by Apaches during the Battle of Fort Buchanan

Battle of Fort Buchanan

The Battle of Fort Buchanan, was an 1865 Apache attack on the United States Army post of Old Fort Buchanan in southern Arizona. Though a skirmish it ended with a significant Apache victory when they forced the small garrison of California Volunteers to retreat to the Santa Rita Mountains...

. The mountain is known for the spectacular view from its barren peak, nearly 7,000 feet above Tucson some 30 miles north. Mt. Wrightson’s distinctive pyramid-shaped profile is visible from much of southeastern Arizona and adjoining areas in Mexico

Mexico

The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...

.

Flora

From grassy, high desert

High desert

High desert refers to the inland and often high elevation deserts of the American West. Examples of high deserts in North America include the Great Basin Desert and the Mojave Desert.High desert can also mean:...

 chaparral

Chaparral

Chaparral is a shrubland or heathland plant community found primarily in the U.S. state of California and in the northern portion of the Baja California peninsula, Mexico...

 to mixed conifers with Arizona, Apache, and Chihuahua pines, Arizona madrone, aspen

Aspen

Populus section Populus, of the Populus genus, includes the aspen trees and the white poplar Populus alba. The five typical aspens are all native to cold regions with cool summers, in the north of the Northern Hemisphere, extending south at high altitudes in the mountains. The White Poplar, by...

, oak

Oak

An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...

 brush, and finally Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine

Ponderosa Pine

Pinus ponderosa, commonly known as the Ponderosa Pine, Bull Pine, Blackjack Pine, or Western Yellow Pine, is a widespread and variable pine native to western North America. It was first described by David Douglas in 1826, from eastern Washington near present-day Spokane...

 near the summit.

Fauna

Animals living on Mt. Wrightson include birds (notably ravens high up near the peak), Coues white-tailed deer, black bear

American black bear

The American black bear is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most common bear species. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in...

, and mountain lion (rare).

Hiking the peak

The shortest route is the Old Baldy Trail, a steady climb of nearly 4000' over 10 miles round-trip to the exposed summit. The Super Trail, also from the Madera Canyon trailhead, is not as steep but is far longer (20 miles). These two trails intersect at Josephine Saddle (7,080 ft.) 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.

Take plenty of water and be aware of wildlife. It is a prime birding area and black bears are common. There is a saddle two miles into the hike which offers an easy dayhike with dramatic views of this peak.

The last mile or two to the summit may be impassable without special equipment during the winter due to ice. Even if the mountain looks clear from the lower part of Super Trail or Old Baldy, this view from the southwest is deceptive; the final approach is along the north slope of the mountain, which receives very little sunlight during the winter and is thus far more prone to ice.

Notable Points Of Interest

• Boy Scout Memorial dedicated and maintained for three boy scouts who died in a storm on Mt. Wrightson November 15, 1958. According to the sign, the plaque was erected by Boy Scout Troop 249 in remembrance of David Greenberg (age 12), Mike Early (age 16), and Michael J. Lanoue (age 13). At times there are paraphernalia on or near the sign.
• There are several springs at different locations, depending which trail(s) you choose: Bog Spring, Sprung Spring, Kent Spring, Armour Spring, Baldy Spring, McBeth Spring and Bellows Spring; but as always, bring plenty of your own water.
• At the top is a green ammo box, chained to a rock, that contains a registry.
• At the top is the ruins of an abandoned look-out tower.
• The Florida fire in 2005 burned a large expanse of the forest in this area, affecting much of this hike, especially the section between the Walker Basin trail and the Super Trail.
• On clear days the Sea of Cortez can be seen when looking southwest from the summit.