On January 7 two friends (Eric Kassan and Fan) and I climbed the highpoint of the Coyote Mountains rising just east of Kitt Peak west of Tucson. The Coyote Mountain highpoint lies in the Coyote Mountains Wilderness. It is the 48th most prominent peak in Arizona with 2329 feet of prominence and 6529 feet of elevation. The Coyote Mountains are visible from many of the bicycling routes Linda and I ride in Tucson. This was my third attempt of the peak so I was glad to finally stand at the summit.
The Coyote Mountains from Arizona Highway 86
The Coyote Mountains are quite scenic but off trail travel is difficult with many rock cliffs rising above brushy slopes. There is an abandoned trail leading to the summit from the northeast corner of the Wilderness boundary. This trail is very helpful but is overgrown in many places with many species of thorny plants and can be difficult to follow.
