Harquahala Mountains

The Harquahala Mountains are the highest mountain range in southwestern Arizona, United States and are located southwest of the towns of Aguila and Wenden. The name originated from a local Native American people "Aha qua hala", which meant "water there is high up". The range is oriented from northeast to southwest and is approximately 32 km long and 20 km at its widest point. At the northeast are two prominent peaks, Eagle Eye Peak and Eagle Eye Mountain. One has a natural opening or bridge through it appearing as an eye high up, and is the namesake for the peaks and Aguila (Spanish for eagle). The highest point, Harquahala Peak, rises to 5,681 ft (1,732 m). Socorro Peak, 3270 ft (1,134 m), is at the southwest end of the range.

The very windy summit can be reached via a rough, 4-wheel drive road. This high point was used by the U.S. Army in the 1880s as a heliograph station. Then in 1920 a Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory was constructed on this summit and operated for five years before being relocated to Table Mountain Observatory, near Wrightwood, California. Its purpose was to study variations in the solar output as a possible factor in climate prediction.

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Look but don't touch: This Arizona hike is full of mining relics. Here's how to try it

Azcentral 26 Jan 2024
How to hike the Vulture Mountains near Wickenburg, AZ ... To the southwest, the silhouette of the Harquahala Mountains rise to 5,681 feet above the flatlands filling the skyline ... Vulture Mountains.
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The Arizona desert, Bruce Springsteen & experiencing God -- Terry Pluto’s Faith & You

Cleveland 25 Mar 2023
SALOME, Arizona -- When I go to Arizona for spring training, I find myself doing more than watching baseball. I’m drawn to the desert ... My wife Roberta and I went hiking at a place called the Harquahala Mountains, about 80 miles west of Phoenix ... ....
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