"Facinating," remarked Mister Spock!

This feature appears on maps as a "round bump" atop the drainage saddle between Courthouse Butte and the West Ridge of Lee Mountain. Locals have dubbed it "Spaceship Rock;" perhaps due to its saucer-shape and association with localized beliefs that it serves as a spiritual focal point. This sandstone rock is also the highest point of the Courthouse Butte Loop Trail, with an elevation of 4,520 feet. Reaching the summit of this rock is not a technical endeavor. On the rock's north side, there's a sandstone rock step that allows (Class 3) summit access. However, a person has to watch for ice on the north side of this rock in the winter. In the afternoon, you'll be caught in the shadow of neighboring Courthouse Butte. From the summit of Spaceship Rock, you can see Oak Creek Spire to the southeast, and Cathedral Rock to the northwest. (This photo is dark because of the massive shadow created by Courthouse Butte to the southwest.) January 21, 2009