Graham County High Point Trip Report

Mount Graham (10,720 ft)

Date: May 25 1998
Author: David Olson

We were informed that the road up to the top of Mt. Graham is no longer open to the public and that there is a protected zone above 10,000 ft around the peak. We chose to park at the group campsite 0.2 miles past Treasure Park camp on AZ SH 366, 9080'.

From there we bushwhacked east uphill 0.1 miles and intersected an old trail/jeep-trail. It is marked on the map we had. We followed that east-north-east, through two switch-backs, until it intersected the former Mt. Graham road. We hiked up the former Mt. Graham road to the top, dodging snow fields. Both of these roads are abandoned and the vegetation is growing in. It is well advanced on the first road, just starting on the Mt. Graham road. We saw some evidence of a use-trail developing on the former Mt. Graham road.

We saw brochures for a visit to the U of AZ observatory on Emerald Pk., 10471', 1.5 miles west-northwest of Mt. Graham. If you want to explore the possibility of putting less effort into an ascent of Mt. Graham contact Discovery Park, www.discoverypark.com, discovery@discoverypark.com, (520) 428-6260.