Exploring Scotts Knob

Scotts Knob is little hill (marked elevation of 2915 feet) on the eastern side of Tucson, about 1 mile east of the end of Speedway Boulevard, just north of the Saguaro National Park boundary, apparently on the property of the Tanque Verde Ranch (a local guest ranch). Unlike a couple of other hills in the area, this one is named on topographical maps, with an indicated elevation. (NOTE: On the Forest Service topo map below, “Scots Knob” with one “t” is used, but on all other maps it is spelled with two t’s)

Capture

My buddy Rob and I checked it out this Labor Day morning.  Access is through a gate to the left of the TV Ranch sign; stay on any trail that goes right and hugs the boundary fence of the national park. You will eventually pass through a fence line that goes north/south – you will see the hill on your left. Proceed another 100 yards or so and another trail going north towards Scotts Knob will become apparent. Within a few minutes you will be on top of the summit. From the top you have nice views towards the Santa Catalina Mountains and Agua Caliente Hill to the north, and a great southwest sightline of the northwest face of Tanque Verde Ridge component of the Rincon Mountains.

Below are a few pictures from our exploration of Scotts Knob.

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Scotts Knob is the small hill in the foreground. Agua Caliente Hill is behind it with it’s summit to the right. In the far distance are the Santa Catalina Mountains. This view is from the Douglas Springs Trail in Saguaro National Park.
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One of the small washes we crossed on our way to Scotts Knob.
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My best guess is that this is a male Filigree Skimmer dragonfly.
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Benchmark on the summit of Scotts Knob.
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Looking southwest from Scotts Knob. The Rincon Mountains are to the left.

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