Sentinel Peak is a 2,897 ft (900 m) peak in the Tucson Mountains southwest of downtown Tucson, Arizona, United States. The valley's first inhabitants grew crops at the mountain's base, along the Santa Cruz River. The name "Tucson" is derived from the O'odham Cuk Ṣon, meaning "[at the] base of the black [hill]". In the 1910s, University of Arizona students used local basalt rock to construct a 160 ft (50 m) tall block "A" on the mountain's east face, near its summit, giving the peak its other name, "A" Mountain. The peak is part of a 272-acre park, the largest natural resource park in the City of Tucson.
The "A" on Sentinel Peak, pictured with its 2003-2013 color scheme.
Dense stands of saguaros at the base of Sentinel Peak
Sentinel Peak, standing behind a wrecked bridge along the Santa Cruz River during the flood of 1915
"A" Mountain (right) and Tumamoc Hill (left) in the distance, looking west across the Tucson Valley
The Tucson Mountains are a minor mountain range west of Tucson, Arizona, United States. The Tucson Mountains, including Wasson Peak, are one of four notable mountain ranges surrounding the Tucson Basin. The Santa Catalina Mountains lie to the northeast, the Rincon Mountains are to the east of Tucson, and the Santa Rita Mountains lie to the south. Additionally, the Sierrita Mountains lie due south, the Roskruge Mountains lie to the west across Avra Valley, the Silver Bell Mountains lie to the northwest, and the Tortolita Mountains lie to the north across the Santa Cruz Valley.
Wasson Peak is the highest point in the Tucson Mountains. Unlike what this picture shows, snow is extremely rare in these mountains, especially in the amount seen here.
View across the Tucson Basin towards Tumamoc Hill (left) and "A" Mountain (right), which can be seen in the center of the background.
Sonoran Desert vegetation at Gates Pass.
Sunset over the Tucson Mountains.
