The Whetstone Mountains are a mountain range in southeastern Arizona

Arizona

Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...

. Major ranges in the region are part of sky island

Sky island

Sky islands are mountains that are isolated by surrounding lowlands of a dramatically different environment, a situation which, in combination with the altitudinal zonation of ecosystems, has significant implications for natural habitats. Endemism, vertical migration, and relict populations are...

 ranges called the Madrean Sky Islands

Madrean sky islands

The Madrean Sky Islands are enclaves of Madrean pine-oak woodlands, found at higher elevations in a complex of small mountain ranges in southern and southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and northwestern Mexico. The sky islands are surrounded at lower elevations by the Sonoran and...

. Part of the Coronado National Forest

Coronado National Forest

The Coronado National Forest includes an area of about 1.78 million acres spread throughout mountain ranges in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico....

, the range is one of the least accessible areas. At Iron Springs

Iron Springs (Cochise County, Arizona)

Iron Springs is historical name of a natural spring in the Whetstone Mountains of Arizona, now known as Mescal Springs.The site is known as that of the confrontation between Wyatt Earp and William Brocius on March 24, 1882...

, within the Whetstones is where Wyatt Earp

Wyatt Earp

Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp was an American gambler, investor, and law enforcement officer who served in several Western frontier towns. He was also at different times a farmer, teamster, bouncer, saloon-keeper, miner and boxing referee. However, he was never a drover or cowboy. He is most well known...

 fought in a gunfight during the Earp Vendetta Ride

Earp vendetta ride

The Earp Vendetta Ride, lasting from March 20 to April 15, 1882, was a manhunt for outlaw Cowboys led by newly appointed Deputy U.S. Marshal Wyatt Earp. He was searching for men he held responsible for maiming his brother Virgil, the Tombstone Marshal and Deputy U.S. Marshal, and assassinating his...

, 1882.

Five peaks dot the range, Apache Peak, 7711ft; French Peak, 7675ft; Granite Peak in the south, 7420ft; in the northeast, Cottonwood Peak, 7100ft, and East Peak, at 6681ft.

Kartchner Caverns State Park

Kartchner Caverns State Park

Kartchner Caverns State Park is a state park of Arizona, USA, featuring a show cave with of passages. The park is located south of the town of Benson and west of the north-flowing San Pedro River....

is in the central-east of the range.