Juniper Flats Mountain, AZ

Where is Juniper Flats Mountain, and why doesn't it sound very exciting? It's in the Mule Mountains near Bisbee. And no, it isn't exciting, but the view is nice. Mostly, it's something to do if you are in the Bisbee area. It is also on one of the precious few patches of public land in the Mule Mountains. The mountain doesn't have an official name, but it rises above the broad bench of Juniper Flats, overlooking Highway 80.


You can begin hiking anywhere along the road. Sure, you could drive to within a quarter of a mile of the summit before a vehicle barrier gate stops you, but the point is to hike. The pull-off spot near the first set of radio towers you come to on Juniper Flats Road (2 miles up) is a fine place to start (mile 0 for this write-up). Peek over the reddish granite bluffs at the highway over a thousand feet below. To the south is Mount Ballard, the highpoint of the Mule Mountains, at 7,320 feet.Walk down the Juniper Flats Road, past peak 6,996, with its radio towers. The road drops down to a saddle at 6800 feet, then contours west below the highest part of Juniper Flats Mountain. At 0.8 miles, the road makes a three-way split. The center road leads out onto Juniper Flats. The right (main) road climbs the mountain.

As it wraps its way around the mountain, the road offers views across the Mule Mountains to the Huachuca, Whetstone, and Dragoon ranges. The summit and its communication towers come into view at 1.5 miles. A locked vehicle barrier gate stops vehicles, but hikers are welcome to explore. You are on the south summit of the mountain, elevation 7,161 feet. To the north, across a broad saddle, is the 7,110 foot north summit. Enjoy the view of nearly all of Cochise County.

2010-08-01 PrestonSands