PICACHO PEAK, AZ

Tonight a bit of Arizona history. I have climbed to the top of the peak (3,443)several times. To reach the top, the sides are almost shear and hand rails of necessary to reach the peak top is about 40 yards wide. Later I will explain about the hand rails. Oh, I almost forgot one of the times after reaching the top and the hard climbing and dozed off.

The prominent landmark Picacho Peak rises majestically above the Sonoran Desert floor about 35 miles northwest of Tucson just off Interstate 10
Picacho Peak was often used as a landmark by early explorers. During the 17th century, dedicated Jesuit priest Father Kino mentioned Picacho Peak in records of his journeys into Arizona, and in 1775, the DeAnza Expeditions passed by the Peak. In 1846, the Mormon Battalion, on their way to California to fight in the war with Mexico, constructed a wagon road through Picacho Pass. The forty-niners traveled the same road on their way to California, and in 1858, mail and passengers traveled this route via the Butterfield Overland Stage. This route is now used by the Transcontinental Railroad.The most significant Civil War battle in Arizona took place near Picacho Peak on April 15, 1862, when an advance detachment of Union forces from California attacked a Confederate scouting party. The battle lasted for 1-1/2 hours, and three Union soldiers were killed. Every March, "The Civil War in the Southwest" comes alive again as over two hundred re-enactors converge on Picacho Peak on foot and horseback. Visitors enjoy viewing exciting mock battles that took place in Arizona and New Mexico during the Civil War. Also on display at the March reenactment are recreated military camps and living history demonstrations.
The poppies are Mexican poppys although I cannot tell the difference from California poppys.

on Picacho peaks
viewing the orange poppys
i felt sleepy

HAIKU/DW/1980