February 2005 trip to the Eagletail Mountains, Arizona
Photos below are from a day trip KD and I took to the Eagletail Mtns in west-central Arizona (approx. 50 miles west of PHX). I'd been eyeing the Eagletails, whose craggy peaks are visibile south of I-10, on drives between PHX and S. CA, so KD and I decided to go check them out. We made the drive as one of this winter's major storms was sliding out of the valley. The access roads to the wilderness area were muddy and washes showed fresh evidence of action.
We started off following the Ben Avery Trail, headed for the petroglyphs supposedly located approx. 2.5 miles from the trailhead. The trail was essentially non-existent and instead of wasting our afternoon trying to follow the correct route, we scrambled up a ridge to get an overview of the range. The Eagletails are very scenic, rugged and desolate. I wouldn't want to explore this area mid-summer, but in the cooler months the Eagletails Mountains make a great day trip from PHX.
The Todd's Hiking Guide page for the Eagletails has a good directions to the trailhead as well as a summary of the hike. I'd add that the last mile or two of the road in requires a high-clearance vehicle.
