Mt Wrightston
Santa Rita Range
Coronado National Forest

Guides of Southwest Trekking recently climbed this peak, obviously, in winter conditions. Yes, this is the range of mountains just south of Tucson home of Mt. Wrightston, the tallest peak in the Tucson Valley. It is but one example of the extreme diversity of the Sonoran Desert of which we all live in. Many scientists consider this area of the world to have some of the most diverse and complex environs on the planet. John Heiman and Caryl Clement ventured out one Saturday morning for a trek up this snow covered range. Forty-five minutes out of Tucson, four miles this side of Sonoita, they turned down Gardner Canyon Road. Here they traveled down a dirt road until it became so bad that they dare not take the vehicle any further. On foot they traversed the remainder of the road, coming upon the Cave Creek Trailhead. Within minutes they were in snow, then they walked into the wind and clouds surrounding the ridge of this range. Freezing conditions prevailed for the remainder of the day. It is amazing how much more work it takes to walk in snow and freezing temperatures. They didn't see any evidence of anyone else that had ventured out this day. Hard work, but many rewards for their journey. Congratulations, well done.