Whetstone Mountains facts for kids
The Whetstone Mountains are a mountain range located in Cochise County, in the southeastern part of Arizona. These mountains are a great place to explore the outdoors!
Quick facts for kids Whetstone Mountains |
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Apache Peak |
| Elevation | 7,711 ft (2,350 m) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 14 mi (23 km) N-S |
| Width | 9 mi (14 km) E-W |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| Municipalities | Benson and Sierra Vista |
| Range coordinates | 31°48′41″N 110°25′07″W / 31.8114757°N 110.4186871°W |
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Exploring the Whetstone Mountains
The Whetstone Mountains are found south of Interstate 10. They are located between the Santa Rita Mountains to the west and the Dragoon Mountains to the east.
Many of the taller mountains in this area are part of a special natural region. This region is called the Madrean Sky Islands ecoregion. It has unique "sky island" habitats. Imagine islands of forests and cooler temperatures surrounded by a "sea" of desert.
Things to Do and See
The Whetstone Mountains are part of the Coronado National Forest. This area is known as the Sierra Vista Recreation Area. You can explore the mountains using many hiking trails.
Kartchner Caverns State Park is located at the eastern base of the Whetstone Mountains. You can find it along Arizona State Route 90. The park is home to amazing underground caves.
A popular path called the Foothills Loop Trail starts right inside Kartchner Caverns State Park. It's a great way to see the lower parts of the mountains.
Tallest Peaks
The Whetstone Mountains have several important peaks. Here are some of the highest ones:
- Apache Peak, which is 7,711 feet (2,350 meters) tall.
- French Peak, standing at 7,675 feet (2,339 meters).
- Granite Peak, in the southern part, reaches 7,420 feet (2,262 meters).
- Cottonwood Peak, in the northeast, is 7,100 feet (2,164 meters) high.
- East Peak, located in the eastern section, is 6,681 feet (2,036 meters) tall.
History of the Mountains
The Whetstone Mountains have a place in Arizona's history. A famous event involving Wyatt Earp happened here in 1882. It was a gunfight during a time known as the Earp Vendetta Ride. This event took place at a spot called Iron Springs within the mountains.
