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175 pages

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This rich, enthusiastic guide to the Tucson, Rincon, Santa Catalina, and Santa Rita Mountains has been completely revised. Betty Leavengood’s fourth edition of her bestselling Tucson Hiking Guide offers new routes and updated access information, detailed maps, and clear descriptions to area trailheads. This latest edition includes thirty-seven hikes rated easy to difficult by mountain range; revised information on precautions for desert hiking; historical notes, photographs, and anecdotes; and detailed maps and descriptions with elevation/distance.
Tucson is a “hiker’s heaven.” To the north is the mountain range that dominates the Tucson skyline, the Santa Catalina range. Due east are the Rincons. Forty miles south of town are the Santa Rita Mountains. The Tucson Mountains to the west are the backdrop for our dramatic sunsets. Hiking is possible year round—the mild winters allow hiking in the lower elevations, and, in summer, the trails of the high mountains beckon.
To enjoy hiking in these mountains, you must be properly prepared and be aware of the hazards of hiking in this area. Too much exposure to the sun is dangerous. Not carrying enough water can result in serious illness or death. There are venomous creatures out there, such as rattlesnakes, scorpions, and Gila monsters. Cactus, amole, catclaw, and other thorny plants seem determined to attack you. Weather conditions can change quickly—what started out as a beautiful morning can become a storm by early afternoon.
Sounds bad! If you are properly prepared and aware of the dangers that exist, the chances of anything happening to you are remote. It is beautiful out there, and the only way you can see it is on your feet. Within a 45-mile radius of Tucson, the elevations go from 2,500 feet to nearly 10,000 feet. Vegetation changes from cactus to oak to ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. You may spot a javelina, coyote, deer, bighorn sheep, or in the highest elevations, even a bear. Hidden pools invite swimming on a hot day. The views extend seemingly forever or are limited by stark canyon walls.
This guide is intended to prepare you to hike in these mountains. The first chapter will discuss proper equipment and clothing for hiking here. The second chapter discusses what you should be aware of, such as too much sun, too little water, and those poisonous creatures. The rest of the guide is devoted to providing detailed descriptions of trails and is organized by mountain range.
Preface vii
Introduction 1
Getting Ready 3
Hazards of Hiking Around Tucson 5
Trail Difficulty Ratings 11
The Tucson Mountains 13
Hugh Norris Trail 16
King Canyon Trail 22
Encinas Trail to Signal Hill 27
Sendero Esperanza Trail 32
Sweetwater Trail 37
Roadrunner–Panther Peak Wash–Cam-Boh Trail Loop 41
David Yetman Trail 46
Golden Gate Loop Trail 51
Brown Mountain Trail 57
Gilbert Ray Campground Loop Trail 62
The Rincon Mountains 67
Cactus Forest Trail 70
Pink Hill–Wentworth–Loma Verde Loop Trail 75
Tanque Verde Ridge Trail 82
Douglas Spring Trail 88
Rincon Peak Trail 93
The Santa Catalina Mountains 99
Agua Caliente Hill Trail 101
Blackett’s Ridge Trail 106
Esperero Trail 111
Ventana Canyon Trail 117
Pontatoc Ridge Trail 123
Finger Rock Trail 128
Pima Canyon Trail 134
Romero Canyon Trail 140
Prison Camp to Sabino Canyon Trail 145
Box Camp Trail 151
The Santa Rita Mountains 157
Old Baldy Trail 159
Super Trail 166
Kent Spring–Bog Springs Loop Trail 171
Dutch John Spring Trail 176
Agua Caliente (Vault Mine) Josephine Saddle Loop Trail 180
Elephant Head Hiking/Biking Trail 185
Agua Caliente Trail 191
Florida Saddle Trail 194
Arizona Trail–From Kentucky Camp to Gardner Canyon 199
Selected Readings 205
Index 207

Sujets

Sport

Autres sports

Sports fitness

Sports de plein air

Tucson Arizona

Travel

Hiking

United States

West

Mountain

US

Arizona

Men's Fitness

Informations

Publié par	Turner Publishing Company
Date de parution	19 février 2013
Nombre de lectures	1
EAN13	9780871089762
Langue	English
Poids de l'ouvrage	1 Mo

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Extrait

Tucson Hiking Guide
Tucson Hiking Guide
FOURTH EDITION
BETTY LEAVENGOOD
1991, 1996, 2004, 2012 by Betty Leavengood
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews and articles.
Fourth Edition
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Leavengood, Betty, 1939-
Tucson hiking guide / Betty Leavengood. - 4th ed.
p. cm.
Originally published: Boulder : Pruett Publishing, c1992.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-87108-966-3 (pbk.)
1. Hiking-Arizona-Tucson Region-Guidebooks 2. Hiking-Arizona-Tucson Region-Safety measures. 3. Tuscon Region (Ariz.)-Guidebooks. I. Title. GV199.42.A72T835 2013 796.5109791 776-dc23
2012047262
West Winds Press An imprint of Graphic Arts Books P.O. Box 56118 Portland, OR 97238-6118 (503) 254-5591 www.graphicartsbooks.com
Interior design and composition by Dianne Nelson, Shadow Canyon Graphics. Front cover caption: Bret Paulk enjoys hiking the Agua Caliente Hill Trail in the Santa Catalina Mountains. Cover photo by Wendy Davis.
CONTENTS
Preface
Introduction
Getting Ready
Hazards of Hiking Around Tucson
Trail Difficulty Ratings
THE TUCSON MOUNTAINS
Hugh Norris Trail
King Canyon Trail
Ez-Kim-In-Zin Picnic Area to Signal Hill
Sendero Esperanza Trail
Sweetwater Trail
Roadrunner-Panther Peak Wash-Cam-Boh Trail Loop
David Yetman Trail
Brown Mountain Trail
Cam-Boh-Ironwood Forest-Picture Rocks Wash-Ringtail Loop
THE RINCON MOUNTAINS
Cactus Forest Trail
Broadway Trailhead to Garwood Dam
Tanque Verde Ridge Trail
Douglas Spring Trail
Rincon Peak Trail
Quilter Trail
THE SANTA CATALINA MOUNTAINS
Agua Caliente Hill Trail
Bug Spring Trail
Mount Lemmon to Catalina State Park
Blackett s Ridge Trail
Esperero Trail
Ventana Canyon Trail
Pontatoc Ridge Trail
Finger Rock Trail
Pima Canyon Trail
Box Camp Trail
Romero Canyon Trail
Hirabayashi Recreation Site to Sabino Canyon
Hutch s Pool
THE SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS
Old Baldy Trail
Super Trail
Kent Spring-Bog Springs Loop Trail
Dutch John Spring Trail
Agua Caliente (Vault Mine)-Josephine Saddle Loop Trail
Elephant Head Trail
Arizona Trail: From Kentucky Camp to Gardner Canyon Road
Tunnel Spring Loop Trail
Selected Readings
About the Author
Index
PREFACE
When the Tucson Hiking Guide was first published in the spring of 1991, I did not realize that it would become a lifetime work! This is the fourth edition. Again, as in previous editions, new trails have been added, existing trails have been rerouted, and government fees and regulations have changed.
Although there are many changes, this edition remains a guide for the Sunday hiker. Years ago, my parents and I would often go for a Sunday drive. We d stop on a whim, walk around the lake, visit a relative, or get an ice cream cone at the Dairy Queen. So it is with Sunday hikers. They start up the trail at a leisurely pace, stopping on a whim to inspect a pack rat s nest or take in the view. Maybe they come upon an old foundation and wonder who built it, or they may ask, Why is this trail named Pontatoc?
If you are a Sunday hiker, this is the guide for you. You ll find detailed instructions to the trailhead from the intersection of Speedway Boulevard and Campbell Avenue. Once on the trail, you ll find the directions are specific. I, never having been too familiar with a compass, say turn left or right instead of east or west. If possible, I include the history of the trail. If there s an old house, as on the David Yetman Trail, I ll tell you why it s there.
In this fourth edition, I ve been helped by many people. My daughters, Cheryl and Christine Graham, each assisted with the fourth edition. Cheryl turned my rough sketches into understandable trail profiles. Christine hiked several trails with me including the David Yetman, Ventana Canyon, Pontatoc Canyon, and Broadway Trailhead to Garwood Dam Trails. Chris Zalewski, Jo Haslett, Rebecca McCaleb, and I trekked down the newly opened Bug Spring Trail. Chris also went with me to double-check the route to Elephant Head. Carolyn O Bagy Davis helped me identify the ironwood trees on the Cam-Boh-Ironwood Forest-Picture Rocks Wash-Ringtail Loop in the Tucson Mountains.
Lisa Foster, Jim Bowen, and I hiked several of the most challenging trails: the Box Camp Trail which begins near Milepost 22 on the Catalina Highway and ends in Sabino Canyon; the Mount Lemmon Trail which, in combination with the Romero Trail, goes from the summit of Mount Lemmon to Catalina State Park; the Tunnel Spring Loop Trail in the Santa Rita Mountains that includes the Ditch and Walker Basin Trails; nearly to the top of Rincon Peak for an overnighter at Happy Valley Campground; and the newly opened Quilter Trail.
INTRODUCTION
Tucson is a hiker s heaven. To the north is the mountain range that dominates the Tucson skyline, the Santa Catalina range. Due east are the Rincons. Forty miles south of town are the Santa Rita Mountains. The Tucson Mountains to the west are the backdrop for our dramatic sunsets. Hiking is possible year-round-the mild winters allow hiking in the lower elevations, and, in summer, the trails of the high mountains beckon.
To enjoy hiking in these mountains, you must be properly prepared and be aware of the hazards of hiking in this area. Too much exposure to the sun is dangerous. Not carrying enough water can result in serious illness or death. There are venomous creatures out there, such as rattlesnakes, scorpions, and Gila monsters. Cactus, amole, catclaw, and other thorny plants seem determined to attack you. Weather conditions can change quickly-what started out as a beautiful morning can become a storm by early afternoon.
Sounds bad! If you are properly prepared and aware of the dangers that exist, the chances of anything happening to you are remote. It is beautiful out there, and the only way you can see it is on your feet. Within a forty-five-mile radius of Tucson, the elevations go from 2,500 feet to nearly 10,000 feet. Vegetation changes from cactus to oak to ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. You may spot a javelina, coyote, deer, or in the highest elevations, even a bear. Hidden pools invite swimming on a hot day. The views extend seemingly forever or are limited by stark canyon walls.
This guide is intended to prepare you to hike in these mountains. The first chapter will discuss proper equipment and clothing for hiking here. The second chapter discusses what you should be aware of, such as too much sun, too little water, and those poisonous creatures. The rest of the guide is devoted to providing detailed descriptions of trails and is organized by mountain range.
Each hike is preceded by a box of information as follows:
General Description: A short description of the hike.
Difficulty: I used four categories- easy is a hike with minimum elevation gain or loss that nearly anyone could achieve; moderate is a little harder, usually over 1,000 feet in elevation gain and over three miles one way; difficult has areas of steep elevation gain and will require most of the day; extremely difficult is a category that is limited to a few hikes in this guide. They require a long day, are usually over five miles one way, and are steep.
Best Time of Year to Hike: Exactly what it says.
Length: Distance given is round-trip, unless it is a loop hike, then the distance refers to the entire loop.
Miles to Trailhead from Speedway/Campbell Intersection: This is a major well-known intersection in Tucson.
Directions to Trailhead from Speedway/Campbell Intersection: Specific directions are given from this intersection and can be adapted from any place in town. All hikes in this guide are on trails and all can be reached by passenger car.
Fees: Many of the trails are in fee areas. It is noted in the trail description if a pass is required to hike that particular trail. Passes are available as follows: Coronado Recreation Pass (Daily $5, Weekly $10, Annual $20) and America the Beautiful series, which includes Annual Pass ($80), Senior Pass ($10 Lifetime Pass), Access Pass (Free Lifetime Pass for permanently disabled US Citizens, and Volunteer Pass (Annual Pass awarded to volunteers who contribute 250 hours of more). All passes are available at the Coronado National Forest office at 300 W. Congress Street in Tucson, the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center, and Saguaro National Park-East and West. The Coronado Recreation Pass may also be purchased at the Santa Rita Lodge in Madera Canyon.
Although I have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the directions, you must take the final responsibility for translating that information to your vehicle and hiking boots. A government agency may change a trailhead or a street name. Heavy rains can wash out a section of a trail, or what appears to me as a distinctive landmark may mean nothing to you. Always carry this guide, a map of the area you are hiking, a compass, and a cell phone. Never, never hike alone. Do not overestimate your hiking ability and do not hesitate to turn back if you become disoriented. It is better to try again another day than to become the subject of a story on the evening news!
GETTING READY
Shoes. Most of the trails in the Tucson area are rocky and steep, making a sturdy hiking boot with ankle support a must. Many styles are available from all-leather to a combination of leather and fabric. Without comfortable boots, hiking can be extremely unpleasant.
Socks. Wear two pairs-a thin inner pair and an outer pair of wool or wool/cotton blend.
Clothing. Wear layers. A cotton T-shirt, a lightweight long-sleeved cotton shirt, and a sweater or sweatshirt are good to start with. Lightweight long pants protect your legs from the thorny vegetation. Many hikes in this area start at a low elevation and climb several thousand feet, requiring more clothing at the top th