On Friday, February 7, I climbed Black Diamond Peak and Henry Peak (Peak 7155) in the southern Dragoon Mountains of Southern Arizona. I noted both peaks to the south when I hiked Sala Benchmark last December. I also noted at that time a road that climbed steeply up a canyon north of them. Indeed, the road proved to be drivable and I was able to visit both peaks on a pleasant winter day.

Black Diamond Peak has 7146 feet of elevation and 626 feet of topographic prominence. Its summit is a narrow NW to SE ridge with cliffs on most sides. The peak is named after the Black Diamond Mine, discovered by prospector Albert George in 1880. Albert George was killed in 1883 by the Apache, though the mine was quite productive for many years thereafter.

“Henry Peak” is a name I personally give to otherwise unnamed Peak 7155. The peak is the highest rising above Henry Canyon. I thought I read a reference to the peak as “Henry Peak”, but I can’t find the reference now. Recent Lidar data suggests the peak actually has 7161 feet of elevation, so someday it may be referred to as “Peak 7161”. Henry Peak has 1235 feet of topographic prominence. It is one of several local peaks with at least 1000 feet of prominence I have visited this winter season.

I had driving and hiking access information from the Southern Arizona Hiking Club. This information describes driving high up the road I had spotted from Sala Benchmark. It also describes climbing both peaks, as well as Bennett Benchmark beyond.

Friday morning I drove in on Middlemarch Road, then turned onto more primitive forest road 4393. This road passed some parking spots, then soon became rockier, then steeper, with few opportunities to turn around if needed. I used my Jeep’s high clearance to maneuver over and past rocks and its 4WD Low gears to climb the steep road. Eventually I arrived at the expected parking spot high on the slopes west of Black Diamond Peak.

From the parking spot I followed a bulldozed track then a path to a saddle between Black Diamond Peak and Peak 7091. From this saddle I could finally see the southwest slopes of Black Diamond Peak and the north ridge of Henry Peak. This was the first of two important saddles on today’s route.

Since it had the most prominence, my highest priority today was Henry Peak. I traversed across the southwest slopes of Black Diamond Peak towards a second saddle below the north ridge of Henry Peak. A tenuous path helped my footing as I traversed the slopes. I followed the path as best I could to reach a ridge off Black Diamond Peak above the second saddle.

I would have to descend this ridge some distance to reach the second saddle. I looked up the ridge and saw it seemed to offer good access higher up Black Diamond Peak. So I decided to follow the ridge higher and visit Black Diamond Peak first.

The ridge was mostly open. Higher, I could see the summit nearby ahead of me, beyond a forested area. I expected this last part to go quickly, but I discovered the forest was thick and hid several rock cliffs. I scrambled over rock, pushed myself between oak trees and through some brush, and eventually reached the summit.

The views from Black Diamond Peak were very nice. The summit was open and the slopes around me dropped steeply. I had a snack, took photos, admired the peaks and ranges around me, and added my name to two summit registers.

It was time to visit Henry Peak to the south. I descended back down the ridge to the second saddle. I was not sure I was going to climb back up the ridge on my return after Henry Peak, so I was glad I had visited Black Diamond Peak first.

From the second saddle I climbed the mostly open lower north ridge of Henry Peak. Higher, the ridge became thick with brush and oak forest. Occasionally I climbed over or around outcroppings of limestone.

At an opening I saw the summit ahead. It seemed close. Again, the last climb to the summit took longer than I expected. I reached the open summit, leaned my pack beside the summit cairn, and relaxed.

I finished my lunch, took more photos, admired more peak views, and added my name to the summit register there. I noted Bennett Benchmark further along the ridge to the south; I did not have time or interest in visiting it this day. In the distance I saw OK Notch Peak, which I had climbed in December. After about 45 minutes on the summit I started my descent.

I followed the same route down to the second saddle. Here I briefly looked for an alternative path leading across the slopes towards the first saddle, but did not find anything. Instead, I climbed back up the ridge to find the path I had taken across the slopes in the morning. The path seemed more tenuous on my return, but it worked.

Returning to the first saddle I paused to look back at the two peaks I had visited, illuminated in the afternoon light. I was quite pleased with my day.

A short distance beyond I returned to my Jeep. All tires were inflated after the rocky ascent in the morning. I am grateful for good tires. I successfully followed the rough and steep road down to more civilized roads and returned home.