SCC Campus News

Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: Arizona Gone Wild

Picacho Peak State Park
P.O. Box 275, Picacho, AZ 85241
520-466-3183
http://www.azstateparks.com

GPS:
Starting point at SCC: 12 412616E, 3716962N, Elevation 1200 ft.
Picacho Peak: 66.2 miles, 12 462153E, 3611729N, Elevation 2897 ft.

Directions: Take the 101 south to the I-202 Loop south of Chandler Boulevard (not the 202 closest to campus). Travel west on the 202 to connect up to the I-10. Take the I-10 south about 60 miles to Picacho Peak, Exit 219. The peak is 40 miles north of Tucson.
Prices:
Adults $6.00 per car, per day
Camping: Non-electric site is $12-15 per day; electric site is $19-22 per day during the winter. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the rates are $10 for non-electric and $15 for electric camping sites.

Open: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. The office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Trails close at sunset. You may camp in designated areas.

Summary: The park gate is 2,897 feet high, but the peak itself reaches 3,374 feet. It is known for its spring flowers and distinctive peak shape. A Civil War re-enactment also occurs there. It is one of the few Arizona sites where a battle occurred during the Civil War. It was the most significant Arizona Civil War battle (April 15, 1862). An advanced detachment of Union forces from California encountered a
Confederate scouting party at the peak. The battle lasted 1.5 hours and three Union solders were killed. The peak gets its shape as an eroded lava flow that began nearly 22 million years ago.
The park offers five trails:
Hunter Trail: 2 miles to the peak. It is rated as difficult and will challenge seasoned hikers with 80 degree trails at times. The trail begins on the north side from Barrett Loop and goes to the top of the peak. You can access the trail head at Barrett Loop.

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