The Escudilla Wilderness is a remote and rugged area in eastern Arizona known for its diverse ecosystems and stunning mountain scenery.
Escudilla Mountain is the highest peak in the Escudilla Wilderness, standing at 10,912 feet. It offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and is a popular destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts.
The Blue Range Primitive Area is a designated wilderness area within the Escudilla Wilderness. It is known for its rugged terrain, diverse plant and animal life, and pristine wilderness. Visitors can explore the area on foot or horseback, and camping is allowed in designated areas.
The Escudilla Lookout Tower is a historic fire lookout tower located on top of Escudilla Mountain. It offers breathtaking views of the surrounding forests and mountains and is a popular spot for photography and birdwatching.
The Escudilla Wilderness Loop Trail is a popular hiking trail that loops around the Escudilla Mountain. The trail offers a variety of terrain, including forests, meadows, and rocky outcrops, and provides opportunities to spot wildlife such as elk, deer, and black bears.
Thompson Reservoir is a small, scenic lake located near the Escudilla Wilderness. It is a popular spot for fishing, boating, and picnicking, and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and forests.
Description: Carex oreocharis, Escudilla Mountain, 33.9267 -109.1113, Apache County, Arizona, 3 Aug 2013.
Image by Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM – CC0 – Wikimedia
Description: Commelina dianthifolia on Escudilla Mountain, 33.928 -109.111, Apache County, Arizona, 3 Aug 2013.
Image by Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM – CC0 – Wikimedia
Description: Escudilla Mountain, east of the trail to the fire lookout, 33.9415 -109.1075, Apache County, Arizona, 3 Aug 2013. Aspen woodland, with Achillea millefolium, Artemisia franserioides, Cirsium, Erigeron formosissimus, Berberis repens, Hesperidanthus linearifolius, Campanula rotundifolia, Geranium richardsonii, Ribes cereum, Ribes pinetorum, Agastache pallidiflora, Linum lewisii, Mirabilis melanotricha, Pedicularis procera, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Bromus porteri, Elymus longifolius, Festuca arizonica, Muhlenbergia montana, Holodiscus dumosus, Populus tremuloides, etc.
Image by Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM – CC0 – Wikimedia
Description: South side of Escudilla Mountain, 33.9030 -109.1237, Apache County, Arizona, 2 Aug 2013. Agoseris aurantiaca, Cirsium parryi, Erigeron formosissimus, Taraxacum officinale, Tragopogon dubius, Campanula rotundifolia, Carex wootonii, Juncus, Sidalcea neomexicana, Orthocarpus luteus, Deschampsia caespitosa, Festuca calligera, Poa pratensis, Bistorta bistortoides, Ranunculus cardiophyllus, Potentilla hippiana, etc.
Image by Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM – CC0 – Wikimedia
Description: South side of Escudilla Mountain, 33.9006 -109.1047, Apache County, Arizona, 2 Aug 2013. Pseudocymopterus montanus, Achillea millefolium, Antennaria parvifolia, Artemisia franserioides, Erigeron, Oreochryum parryi, Arenaria saxosa var. saxosa, Eremogone fendleri, Orthilia secunda, Lathyrus arizonicus, Thermopsis rhombifolia, Geranium richardsonii, Ribes pinetorum, Pedicularis procera, Picea engelmannii, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Penstemon deaveri, Bromus porteri, Elymus longifolius, Poa pratensis, Clematis columbiana, Thalictrum fendleri, Fragaria virginiana subsp. glauca, Holodiscus dumosus, Potentilla gracilis, Potentilla hippiana, Rosa woodsii, Rubus idaeus, Rubus parviflorus, Populus tremuloides, Salix, Viola canadensis, etc.
Image by Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM – CC0 – Wikimedia
Description: Escudilla Mountain, east of fire lookout, 33.9506 -109.1159, Apache County, Arizona, 3 Aug 2013. Burned spruce forest, with Artemisia franserioides, Oreochyrums parryi, Pseudognaphalium, Carex, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vicia americana, Chamerion angustifolium, Picea engelmannii, Rubus idaeus, etc.
Image by Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM – CC0 – Wikimedia
Description: Escudilla Mountain, high point north of the fire lookout, 33.9553 -109.1247, Apache County, Arizona, 3 Aug 2013. Burned spruce forest, with Artemisia franserioides, Oreochrysum parryi, Carex, Picea engelmannii, Potentilla gracilis, Populus tremuloides, etc.
Image by Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM – CC0 – Wikimedia
Description: Escudilla Mountain along the trail to the fire lookout, 33.9464 -109.1146, Apache County, Arizona, 3 Aug 2013. Burned spruce forest, with Pseudocymopterus montanus, Achillea millefolium, Erigeron formosissimus, Oreochrysum parryi, Taraxacum officinale, Campanula rotundifolia, Arenaria saxosa var. saxosa, Carex, Lathyrus arizonicus, Vicia americana, Ribes pinetorum, Picea engelmannii, Muhlenbergia montana, Poa, Potentilla gracilis, Potentilla hippiana, Populus tremuloides, etc.
Image by Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM – CC0 – Wikimedia
Description: South side of Escudilla Mountain, 33.8922 -109.1151, Apache County, Arizona, 2 Aug 2013. Pseudocymopterus montanus, Achillea millefolium, Antennaria parvifolia, Cirsium drummondii, Erigeron formosissimus, Taraxacum officinale, Campanula rotundifolia, Silene scouleri subsp. pringlei, Vicia americana, Iris missouriensis, Orthocarpus luteus, Oxalis decaphylla, Bromus porteri, Deschampsia cespitosa, Elymus longifolius, Festuca arizonica, Festuca calligera, Poa pratensis, Bistorta bistortoides, Ranunculus cardiophyllus, Dasiphora fruticosa, Geum triflorum, Potentilla hippiana, etc.
Image by Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM – CC0 – Wikimedia
Description: Penstemon deaveri, Escudilla Mountain, 33.9267 -109.1113, Apache County, Arizona, 3 Aug 2013.
Image by Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM – CC0 – Wikimedia