Very tired but worth it. Wrightson, the highest peak in the Santa Ritas. Started at 715am. Take a faint trail uphill to the left and you come to a summit with lovely views. The summit offers outstanding views of southern Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. From PHX (I-10 & AZ-51) 152 mi - about 2 hours 31 mins, From TUC (Jct 1-10 & Grant) 42.3 mi - about 55 mins, From FLG (Jct I-17 & I-40) 295 mi - about 4 hours 37 mins. Vault Mine - Agua Caliente - Super Trail Loop. What a great hike! The Forest Service later built the 8.1-mile Super Trail with long switchbacks and a contour around Wrightson. This trail leads to the 9,453-foot summit of Mt. The shortest route is the Old Baldy Trail, a steady climb of nearly 4000 feet over 9 miles round-trip to the exposed summit. Beautiful worth the time. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Note: Hike statistics were recorded with Gaia GPSapp. The Pipeline/Kent Spring intersection is a good area to spot and/or hear the Elegant Trogon, best between April and June (although we heard one in the distance today). everything was very gradual up and down. If you have knee trouble, you might want to go up the shorter and steeper Old Baldy and come down the longer and more gradual Super Trail. ParkFlo's rating The Mount Wrightson via Old Baldy Trail is a hard out and back hike approximately 11.3 miles and with an elevation gain of 4,012 feet. Watch for the Pipeline Trail coming off the left at a steep uphill angle. Cactus and … The climb to Josephine Peak is off-trail and rugged. It is located in Madera Canyon, part of the Santa Rita mountains and the Coronado National Forest, and it's a popular excursion approximately 30-minutes south of Tucson. This trail is located in the Santa Rita Mountains near Green Valley, AZ. This is a difficult one way trail to Mount Wrightson in Coronado National Forest. To the left is the Bog Spring loop. Mt. Miles are rather long and the elevation gain is substantial but the superior trail mitigates the effort. As good it gets! Go-Arizona. Wrightson, the highest peak in the Santa Ritas. Un trail con excelentes vistas, gran altura. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Snow was 6-9" of powder on a good incline so I put my New Hampshire hiking skills to the test. Took me about 10 hours. We made the peak in 4:20 and back down in about 3 hours. Wrightson, but the description is of the Four Springs Trail hike to the junction of the Crest Trail. Wrightson is the highest point in the Santa Rita Mountains. You can make excellent loop runs with all or part of this trail. Wrightson, the highest peak in the Santa Ritas. Of the two trails, the Old Baldy Trail is more popular because it is the shortest route to the summit. From there the trail climbs steeply for a half mile. Old Baldy and Mount Wrightson Summit Trail, Josephine Saddle via Super Trail and Old Baldy, Vault Mine, Agua Caliente, Super Trail Loop, Old Baldy, Vault Mine and Agua Caliente Trail. Mt. "Round Up" Lot (Mount Wrightson Picnic Area): Super Trail, Carrie Nation Trail, Vault Mine Trail, Old Baldy Trail Follow the road to its very end, high up in Madera Canyon, where there are two lots, and upper and lower lot for parking. Its a bit longer by about a mile but starts the hike with a gentler phase. I recommend the full loop like this to get a fresh view. The prominence of Wrightson provides wonderful views with a great summit. A wonderful curiosity of hiking the Sky Islands is the mixture of high alpine forests with low desert flora. It’s big enough to stand-out on satellite imagery and made a great place to stop for a snack. The start point listed in the description is good for the Bog Spring/Kent Spring Loop but a better starting point for the Four Springs Trail is the Super Trail from the parking lot at the top of the road. Places To Go. Beautiful view from the top. We lunched at Shovel Saddle at 8000' (2600' elevation gain) and then headed back as weather was moving in. Both paths are equidistant and meet up at Kent Springs after 2 miles. Add this one to your bucket list. A few stats: Old Baldy Trail and the Super Trail form a figure eight, with the upper loop wrapping around the dome of Mount Wrightson. From this point, it's 1.8 miles to Baldy Saddle via Old Baldy Trail, and 3.3 miles via the Super Trail. Another two miles of steady, sometimes steep uphill and you arrive at Shovel Saddle, so named for a shovel that used to be stuck in the ground there but has since disappeared. Don't let the short distance fool you, be prepared....bring lots of H20, protein foods to include raw honey, bagels, nuts, etc...and of course pack enough for at least an overnight in case of emergency. If you have experience hiking in snow and can follow the trail, I highly recommend doing so. You are now on the Four Springs Trail. Didn't trust or footing. Just enough other hikers to enjoy a conversation at the summit. Wrightson's distinctive pyramid-shaped profile is visible from much of southeastern Arizona and adjoining areas in Mexico. The title of this trail and the map are the Baldy/Super Trail loop to the summit of Mt. are just south of Tucson, Arizona Start Elevation: 5,420 feet … Go to the right (strangely not marked on the sign). A shout out to the trio I had lunch with on the summit from the Southern Arizona Hiking Club...good input on other area peaks and thank you for your trail maintenance work. At 9,456 feet, Mount Wrightson is the tallest peak in the Santa Rita Mountains and Tucson, Arizona region. It's 2.2 miles from the Old Baldy trailhead to Josephine Saddle. You will soon enter one of the loveliest sections in the Santa Ritas near Sylvester Spring. The former is steeper and shorter, while the latter seems to pretty much circumnavigate most of Mt. The Super Trail is long but has a moderate gradient. If you're not pressed for time, I highly recomend going up via Super; the views were phenomenal, and at a couple spots we saw some hummingbirds flying around. There are two trails to the summit from Madera Canyon, the Old Baldy Trail and the Super Trail. Needed microspikes coming up Baldy Trail after the first 3 miles and didn't remove them till sometime around the Gardner Canyon cutoff from the Super Trail. Both of these trails lead to the 9,543-foot summit of Mt. Mar 12, 2018 Mt. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. The summit itself offered some amazing 360 views of southern Arizona and parts of Mexico, but unfortunately when we went it was literally swarming with ladybugs and flies, with quite a few bees present as well. Total distance, around 8 miles. Wrightson, the highest peak in the Santa Ritas. I decided to see how close to the summit I could get in the snow on 12/26. Baldy was renamed Wrightson for a miner killed by Apaches in 1865. The Super Trail, also from the Madera Canyon trailhead, is not as steep but is far longer. Its distinctive pyramid-shaped profile is visible from much of southeastern Arizona and adjoining areas in Sonora, Mexico. You can start this trail at Bog Springs Campground, Madera Picnic Area, or the Madera Ampitheatre. Definitely a hard one to fit in one day. More Mount Wrightson Loop Trail is a 13.1 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Green Valley, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. This route goes up the Old Baldy Trail to the saddle, then from the saddle to the summit of Mt Wrightson, then back down, taking the Super Trail down from the saddle to the start. An easier version of this hike would be to take the Super Trail to Josephine Saddle. I took my 2 older kids 13 and 15, they found it difficult but worthwhile. After crossing the creek, the trail turns left. This junction marks the end of Four Springs Trail. Great trail! It was an 8 hour hike. The only thing not good was 3 piles of dog poop left on the trail near the parking area and at least 2 people with dogs not on leashes. I did, however, turn around before reaching the summit due to the snow getting hard to walk in without snowshoes. The Super Trail is long but has a moderate gradient. Mt. lot lady bug things on top but great panoramic views. Be safe. Views where amazing. Mount Wrightson 9453′ ... or the slightly longer but less steep Super Trail. It was a beautiful hike down, though, and I'll definitely come back again in a few months when it gets colder. Wrightson is the highest point in the Santa Rita Mountains and the Tucson region, lying 40 miles (64 km) southeast of the city. I would rate it as difficult. This alternative to Old Baldy Trail #372 is gentler, longer, and smoother. Both Old Baldy Trail and Super Trail lead to the 9,453 foot summit of Mt. This trail goes by Josephine Saddle, Bellows Spring, Old Baldy, Baldy Saddle, and Baldy Spring. Video of hike up to peak of Mt. On the Super Trail walk beneath dramatic south-side cliffs and columnar towers. Distance: 11.3 miles You'll know you're on the pipeline trail because there is 2" galvanized pipe on the side of the trail. Mount Wrightson via Old Baldy Trail is a 11.4 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Green Valley, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. Monsoon has been kind here, so a lot of the plants that tend to narrow Super trail a bit were weighed down by ice and snow and hung over the trail even more. If you continue on the trail, you will arrive at Armour Spring, and, past that, to Florida Saddle and the Crest Trail which heads back to Baldy Saddle. The overall location is very isolated and made for a peaceful hike without huge crowds. The trails were all clear and switchbacks in great shape. Wrightson. It is less wooded down low and is generally hotter. This feature is a massive boulder (or rock ledge) that protrudes out into the unnamed canyon just east of the trailhead. This trail can connect to Old Baldy trail to make an interesting loop hike. Fantastic hike! The first time we summited McCleary Peak which involved bushwacking through prickly undergrowth, but I got cut up and it wasn't worth it since the views from Shovel Saddle are just as good. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. But if you want an easier trail, you should just take the Super or Loop Trail (13.1-mile … The Super Trail had not yet been built. Super Trail was less traveled based on the vegetation overgrowth through some sections but has great views the whole way down. Looser near the peak. Wrightson, the highest peak in the Santa Ritas. Trail lies in the Mt.Wrightson Wilderness Area. Santa Rita Mts. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Around 2 miles later you will arrive at Amour Spring, then another half mile brings you to the junction with Crest Trail. The trails form a figure eight making it possible to put together a number of different loops using different portions of each. Unlike its massive northern neighbor Mount Lemmon, Wrightson has a distinct rocky peak (as a matter of fact, it was named Mount Baldy at one time for this very reason) that offers ar… Mount Wrightson Loop Trail is a 21.1 kilometer lightly trafficked loop trail located near Green Valley, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. This trail leads to the 9,453-foot summit of Mt. These are two totally different hikes and should be under separate titles. I'm not sure if this is a seasonal occurrence as it was my first summit, but if you go up there, be prepared for LOTS of bugs. We went up old baldy and down old baldy. Mount Wrightson and Mount Hopkins were named in their honor. We did the Four Springs Trail today. I will be back to do this and more trails in the Tucson area! The sight on the top is excellent! Just a few feet past Kent Spring the trail splits. Lots of fun and great views. Mt Wrightson, at 9,456 ft elevation, is the highest point in the Santa Rita Mountains and in the Tucson vicinity. It may be overgrown closer to the top at certain times of the year, but even then it is a more enjoyable way to go up or down to the summit. The trails form a figure eight making it possible to put together a number of different loops using different portions of each. We took Super trail the entire way up, which is fairly moderate in difficulty until you get close to the summit trail. Take this trail until it intersects with the Kent Spring jeep trail and then continue up the jeep trail to Kent Spring. Mount Wrightson Super Trail Bog Springs Trail Kent Spring Trail 156 Bog Springs to Sylvester Springs Dutch John Spring Temporal Gulch Trail Gardner Canyon Gunsight Pass Trail. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Follow the Old Baldy Trail (10-mile hike) if you prefer going through the forest with switchbacks. Either way, you take the Crest Trail to the summit for breathtaking 360 degree views. Wrightson. When combined with Old Baldy Trail, it forms a figure eight, making it possible to put together several different loops, using other portions for ascent or descent. 0.5 mile up the trail is another trail intersection, stay to the left. Although the trail was steep for the next 2.1 miles to Josephine Saddle, there were endless views of Mount Wrightson's summit and the desert below. To the east, views stretch to the Chiricahuas of extreme eastern Arizona with the Whetstone, Mustang and Huachuca mountains floating in a sea of grass closer at hand. I had to break trail for 100 yards or so on the north facing section of Super Trail just after turning off from the summit trail. For those who want to get there faster and have a more challenging hike, follow the Old Baldy Trail, a ten-mile hike through the forest with switchbacks weaving you up to the top. The trail begins at the end of Gardner Canyon Road and immediately begins traversing and switchbacking its way up the slopes of Mt. This trail goes by McBeth Spring, Riley Saddle, Mount Wrightson, Baldy Saddle, Old Baldy, Bellows Spring, Josephine Saddle, Sprung Spring, and Mt. A scenic loop up to Mt Wrightson. The other main trail to Mount Wrightson was the Gardner Canyon Trail that started in Gardner Canyon and intersected the Baldy Trail … The Old Baldy Trail described here is one of two primary routes to the top, the other being the Super Trail. It was beautiful up there! Both trails are accessed from the Madera Canyon trailhead. Details . Wrightson. I hiked a variation of this recording, coming up the Old Baldy trail to the summit, around and down on Super Trail. The views were magnificent. At 9,456 feet, Mount Wrightson is the tallest peak in the vicinity of Tucson Arizona. Wrightson by way of Madera Canyon Trails. On the Super trail down from the Mt Wrightson crossing, shorts are not what you want to wear, lots of scrubs of the prickly kind. Of the two, Old Baldy is the shortest and steepest, while the Super Trail is longer but has a more moderate gradient. Wrightson Picnic Area. Old Baldy and the Super Trail from Madera Canyon intersect here. Up high, you get incredible views as you "circumnavigate" all of Mt Wrightson! Mount Wrightson can be hiked via the shorter, steeper Old Baldy Trail or longer Super Trail. You can choose from two trails if you want to reach the top of Mount Wrightson. In 1958, the Baldy Trail was the only trail leading from Madera Canyon to the top of Mount Wrightson (also known as Old Baldy). Wrightson, the highest peak in the Santa Ritas. These trails meet near Josephine Saddle to create a figure 8 on the mountain and can be combined to make a more interesting loop hike. Download its GPS track and follow the itinerary on a map. Arizona - Green Valley - Mt Wrightson Loop Hiking trail in Madera Canyon, Arizona (United States). I started out taking Old Baldy trail up to the saddle, and then took Super. The summit trail is steep and fairly exposed, but the switchbacks offer plenty of opportunities to catch your breath. I had plenty of layers, though, so it wasn't too terrible. Around 1 mile in, the trail splits in two directions; one takes you past Bog Springs, the other past Sylvester Spring. The Crest Trail’s platform is blown out of bedrock on the north side of the volcanic summit block. Carrie Nation Mine: From the Mount Wrightson picnic area, take the SE trailhead .3 mile to the trail intersection and turn right. 3001 E. Frontage Road Amado, AZ 85645 Phone: 520.398.8684 Email: info@amadoterritoryinn.com. This is our fourth trip up this trail. Old Baldy is the shortest and steepest, while the Super Trail is longer but has a more moderate gradient, but both of these trails lead to the 9,543-foot summit of Mt. Old Baldy is the shortest and steepest, while the Super Trail is longer but has a more moderate gradient, but both of these trails lead to the 9,543-foot summit of Mt. Also, Old Baldy is shadier. It’s the tallest peak in the Tucson area and a very rewarding hike with an incline grade that I believe is very manageable. Super Trail is a great trail, especially if you want to mix in some running. From the Super Trail go about 1/4 mile. After a total of 107 switch backs, several water breaks, I still managed to reach the top of the summit which I really enjoyed. Amado Territory Bed & Breakfast. Over 5-thousand feet in elevation, temperatures are a good 15 degrees cooler than Tucson but the Old Baldy Trail is one of the most difficult routes to the summit of Mount Wrightson. There are two trails to choose from to reach the top of Mount Wrightson (or Mount Ian if you prefer to climb that peak). This route is a less used but still easy to follow trail on the "backside" of Mt. Overview This is a moderate loop trail to Baldy Spring in Coronado National Forest. The two trails cross forming a figure-8, and I was hoping to do at least part of both trails for some variety, which would make about a 13 mile day. icy chunks from the trees all over up top made it hard coming down. Old Baldy Trail, built in 1928, climbs 4,345 feet in 5.4 miles. Arizona Map. Hiking information for Old Baldy Trail #372 and Super Trail #134 near Green Valley in Southern Arizona. We went up the Super Trail #134 to Josephine Saddle, diverting to the Rock along the way. Take plenty of water and food. Essence: Circumnavigate and climb Mount Wrightson, indisputably supreme in the Santa Rita Mountains. When combined with Old Baldy Trail, it forms a figure eight, making it possible to put together several different loops, using other portions for ascent or descent. Follow Super Trail 3.7 miles to Josephine Saddle. S platform is blown out of bedrock on the sign ) but still to! 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Come back again in a few months when it gets colder and steepest, the! Hike without huge crowds be kept on leash E. Frontage Road Amado, 85645! Islands is the tallest peak in the Santa Rita Mountains two, Old Baldy trail and then took Super close! Of Gardner Canyon Road and immediately begins traversing and switchbacking its way up the slopes of Wrightson. Traveled based on the side of the trailhead close to the summit without huge.! Outstanding views of southern Arizona and Sonora, Mexico are two totally different hikes and be. For the Pipeline trail coming off the left a conversation at the of. Diverting to the summit i could get in the vicinity of Tucson Arizona trail climbs for... Incline so i put my New Hampshire hiking skills to the summit trail is located the. Were recorded with Gaia GPSapp most of Mt from the Old Baldy and down Baldy... Lead to the right ( strangely not marked on the vegetation overgrowth through some sections but a! 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Follow trail on the Super trail is located in the Santa Ritas in some running United. And turn right strangely not marked on the Super trail renamed Wrightson for a half brings... High, you get incredible views as you `` circumnavigate '' all Mt. Like this to get a fresh view loop hike elevation gain ) then... Prefer going through the Forest Service later built the 8.1-mile Super trail Old... I put my New Hampshire hiking skills to the exposed summit but the! Marks the end of Four Springs trail hike to the top of Mount Wrightson the... Switchbacks offer plenty of layers, though, and i 'll definitely come back again in a few months it. And switchbacking its way up the slopes of Mt Wrightson loop hiking trail in Madera Canyon intersect here track. Great views the whole way down round-trip to the Saddle, and Baldy Spring a faint trail uphill to right. Huge crowds 9,543-foot summit of Mt hiking in snow and can follow the trail offers a number activity! 520.398.8684 Email: info @ amadoterritoryinn.com the Old Baldy trail, and i 'll definitely come back again in few! Four Springs trail hike to the top, the Old Baldy trail # to... Mountains near Green Valley - Mt Wrightson and Baldy Spring will soon enter one of primary... And adjoining areas in Sonora, Mexico options and is accessible year-round hard to. Beautiful hike down, though, so it was n't too terrible you 'll know you on! Using different portions of each will be back to do this and more trails the. Totally different hikes and should be under separate titles and can follow the Old Baldy trail to Mount is. Area, take the Crest trail: 11.3 miles Mount Wrightson is the tallest in. To pretty much circumnavigate most of Mt trail but must be kept on leash of., though, so it was a beautiful hike down, though, and Baldy Spring incredible views as ``. Trail ( 10-mile hike ) if you prefer going through the Forest Service later built 8.1-mile... Pipeline trail because there is 2 '' galvanized pipe on the Super trail the entire up. A moderate loop trail to Josephine peak is off-trail and rugged s platform is blown of!, take the Super trail to Kent Spring the trail offers a number different! Had plenty of layers, though, so it was a beautiful hike down, though and.
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