Saved 4/11/2020

Waterman Peak : SummitPost.org : Climbing, hiking, mountaineering

desertmountaineer - Saved 4/11/2020

If I were to leave my house and fly at a compass bearing of 260 degrees, I would cross the Tucson Mountains, pass over the entire width of Avra Valley and arrive at the eastern edge of the Waterman Mountains in a mere 14 miles. It’s one of the closest ranges to home. I’ve been lucky enough to have spent some very enjoyable days wandering its hills. The name of the range sounds like a person’s surname, and I started poking around to see if I could discover its source. I think I got lucky on this one. It turns out that Governor Waterman of California, who was once secretary of a California company which owned and developed several mines in this range, was where the name originated. He was the 17th governor of California, and served in that position from September 12, 1887 to January 8, 1891.

Saved 4/11/2020

Waterman Peak is the highpoint of the Waterman Mountains, in an area dominated by huge mines. The Waterman Mountains lie about 15 miles west of Interstate-10, about 25 miles northwest of Tucson. There is a good road to the trailhead and the hike is short, much of it on older roads and faint footpaths.

Saved 4/11/2020

Our 8th Annual Hike Meet at the staging area inside the parking lot of the Avra Valley Airport at 8am. We’ll then caravan to the trailhead, no later than 8:15am. The Avra Valley Airport is also known as the Marana Regional Airport or the Marana NorthWest Regional Airport. Please arrive at the parking area on time so that we can get a head count. We don’t want to leave anyone on the trail. Retired DPS Sergeant Gregg Girard #1151 will be in the parking lot awaiting everyone. His cell number is 602.531.4466. It takes about an hour to hike to the accident site from the trailhead. The terrain is steep and the footing loose in some areas. Please wear hiking boots (tennis shoes are not appropriate), long pants, and gloves. Please be sure to bring water to drink and a hiking stick if needed. If you’re wondering if this hike will continue in inclement weather… four years ago 19 brave souls completed the hike in a cold rain.

Fernanda Echavarri Arizona Daily Star - Saved 4/11/2020

A veteran pilot was killed and three passengers were injured Monday when a Pima County Sheriff's Department helicopter crashed into the side of a mountain northwest of Tucson, officials said.

There is a memorial to Loren E. Leonberger in the Waterman Mountains.