Picacho Peak State Park

Picacho Peak State Park is a park in the Arizona State Parks system, located between Casa Grande and Tucson just off Interstate 10 in Pinal County, Arizona. Its distinctive centerpiece spire, Picacho Peak, is visible for many miles rising above the desert floor. The summit rises to 3374' (1028 m) above mean sea level (per NAVD88). Though appearing the remnant of a volcanic neck, it is now understood to be a tilted and eroded piece of rock lain by a lava flow (citation pending). Notwithstanding, the origins of the landform are apparent, as the peak is surrounded by an extensive lava field. The place name is redundant: "picacho" means "peak" in Spanish. The park is known for beautiful wildflowers that appear in April and early May following a good showing of the seasonal winter rains. Though set next to an interstate highway, the park, especially its west face, possesses a beautiful Sonoran Desert setting. One can reach a small flat space on top of the spire via two trailheads. Portions of the trails are precarious, and hikers are aided by cables and catwalks. Even for experienced hikers, the park provides a fine experience. From the top, one achieves a majestic view south to the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson, northwest to Tabletop Mountain near Casa Grande, north to the many mountain ranges surrounding Phoenix, and an interesting view west to where the north-running Santa Cruz River runs underground supporting farms in a beautiful desert valley. The park is near the site of the Battle of Picacho Pass, the only American Civil War battle to take place in Arizona. A Union cavalry patrol from California fought a party of Confederate scouts in a short 1.5-hour skirmish, in which 3 men were killed. Every year during early March, there are reenactments of the battle and other demonstrations of Civil War military history.

Other Picacho Peaks

Because "picacho" means "big peak" in Spanish, it is not surprising that there are many features named picacho across the U.S. Southwest. There is another Picacho Peak near Seligman, Arizona and one outside Las Cruces, New Mexico. The mining settlement of Picacho, California (now a ghost town) was named after another picacho.

ee also

*Picacho, California

External links

* [http://azstateparks.com/Parks/PIPE/index.html Arizona State Parks: Picacho Peak]
* [http://azstateparks.com/index.html Arizona State Parks]
* [http://www.oupress.com/bookdetail.asp?isbn=978-0-8061-3747-6]