Near Springerville in Apache County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Escudilla Mountain

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 24, 2010

1. Escudilla Mountain Marker

Inscription. Due south rises the 3rd tallest peak in AZ, revered by conservationist, Aldo Leopold Escudilla was home to Ike Clanton of OK Corral fame & Arizona's last grizzly bear. In fall, the north slope is golden with Aspen covering the 23,000 acre fire of '51. To your right, "Valle Redondo" nestles against the mountains.

Erected 2002 by Round Valley Positive Action Tourism Committee and Springerville-Eagar Chamber of Commerce. (Marker Number 1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Natural Features • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Arizona, Pistols, Plows and Petticoats Historic Driving Tour series list.

Location. 34° 8.721′ N, 109° 13.196′ W. Marker is near Springerville, Arizona, in Apache County. It is on U.S. 60 at milepost 392, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Springerville AZ 85938, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Mogollon Rim

and in the White Mountains.

It is also in the American Southwest,

in the Mountain West,

in Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Slaughter Family Cemetary (approx. 3.6 miles away); White Mountain Historical Park (approx. 3.6 miles away); Springerville Schoolhouse (approx. 3.6 miles away); Peter Thompson Home & Blacksmith Shop

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(approx. 3.7 miles away); Arizona Cooperative Mercantile Institution (approx. 3.7 miles away); Presbyterian & Catholic Churchs (approx. 3.8 miles away); Becker's Transcontinental Garage (approx. 3.8 miles away); Baca Home (approx. 3.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springerville.

More about this marker. This is marker Stop #1 on the Pistols, Plows and Petticoats Historic Driving Tour.

Regarding Escudilla Mountain. At 10,955 feet, Escudilla Mountain is the third highest peak in Arizona. It is not known if the name is from Coronado’s 1540 expedition in search of the seven cities of gold or from Spanish shepherds from New Mexico searching for grazing lands, but the name is Spanish and means bowl or basin. These mountains were home to the last of Arizona’s grizzly bears. Famed mountain man Ben Lilly is reported to have wounded a grizzly and trailed it into a cave, then killed it with his knife. After taking measurements, following government standards of that time and shipping it to the Smithsonian, it is reputed to be the largest grizzly taken on the North American continent.

Later the

Photographed by Flexible Fotography, October 11, 2023

2. Escudilla Mountain Marker

mountains became home to outlaws, such as Ike and Phin Clanton following their shootout with the Earps in Tombstone. Settlers in the area had to deal with their cattle rustling and other “outlaw” activities. It is stated that Ike Clanton was eventually gunned down in 1887 by Springerville deputy Brighton and Phin was sent to the Territorial Prison in Yuma.
Source: The Pistols, Plows and Petticoat Historic Driving Tour Brochure.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 24, 2010

3. Escudilla Mountain Marker

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 24, 2010

4. Escudilla Mountain Marker

To your right, "Valle Redondo" nestles against the mountains.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,371 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 5, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 2. submitted on January 5, 2024, by Flexible Fotography of San Diego, California. 3, 4. submitted on October 5, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.