This delightful summer trail is best done in a two-car shuttle. Even though it is technically only 5.7 miles, it is the quality, not the quantity of the miles. You'll thank ol' Desertboots for suggesting a two-car approach! My group and I did the opposite of what is described in most of the trail books. The first time I hiked this trail, I did it the "legal" way from the actual trailhead. If you start from the Palisades Ranger Station, you will shave 200 feet of the climb out of the canyon, and being the lazy climber I am, any elevation gain avoided is okay by me. The trailhead is officially at the parking are near Soldier Camp Road, and since you will have two cars parked at either trailhead, you can begin from either place. The only word of warning is that if you start at Palisades, the trailhead is not marked. Cross the road and find the trail as it marches up the hill, and bear right. This all-uphill approach trail will lead you to a sign where you will be guided to the Butterfly Trail.

From here you will begin a very long descent through a major burn area from the fire in 2003. Chances are if you touch anything you will end up sooty. There is a considerable undergrowth of plants, especially ferns. There are also many fallen snags you have to negotiate along the trail.

Eventually, the trail bottoms out at a place called Novio Spring. There is some water here but only a trickle. This is a beautiful area and a perfect spot to stop for lunch. Here you can get confused and lose the trail if you're not careful. If you go straight and end up seeing the remains of an aircraft, you've gone the wrong way. I do not know the details of this crash or how these plane parts came to be here. If you taken this short field trip to the wreckage, go back the way you came and look for the trail on the left that might be partially covered with vegetation. There are wooden steps on the trail that make it obvious.

From here you will walk along the creek bed and it is a fantastic area. The creek drops significantly into a deep ravine. Then you start climbing. Climbing and climbing and climbing! There is a point where again you can go the wrong way. When you start switch backing and you come to a place where there are some wooden logs hammered down to what looks like a logical step and a trail to the left, that is a faux trail. The real trail switches to the right and continues the grueling, er, I mean, heart-rate enhancing climb up. You will finally reach a sign that indicates Catalina Highway is 1.4 miles. There are a couple of trail crossings here, but you want to go in the direction of Catalina Highway. From here, you guessed it, you keep climbing! It is a very long 1.4 miles. You will emerge on to an old jeep trail. Just keep following this and you will reach Shangri-La, the beloved parking area with excellent restrooms.

At this point, I would recommend taking the 4-mile trip to Summerhaven and visiting the Summerhaven Cafe for a bite of something good to eat and have a slice of homemade pie! Just do it before 5pm, when the cafe closes. Much of this hamlet burned down in the fire of 2003, and there is much construction going on.
- Jul 09 2006 Desertboots

Coronado FS Reports  This is a wonderful trail that passes through an area of such diverse biology that part of it has been designated a Research Natural Area. Views are diverse too, facing both east and west in what is a unique situation among generally south and west-facing Santa Catalina trails. In addition, many of these attractions can be reached by hiking the first part of the trail, which is easier, and avoiding those steeper portions that account for its more difficult rating.

This is the perfect trail to bring along your tree and wildflower books and something on butterflies, since these colorful creatures congregate in clusters among the wildflowers that grow here. Along the trailside, there is a wide variety of trees, including ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and Southwestern white pine in the high, cool areas; Arizona Madrone, Box Elder and Big Tooth Maple in the more moderate areas; and Alligator Juniper, various species of oak and yuccas in drier, more exposed areas. Moist ravines are decorated with Columbine and Butterfly Weed, while south facing slopes provide an appropriate habitat for prickly pear and hedgehog cactus.

Views along this trail are as diverse as the biology, especially if you take the short side hike to the top of Mt. Bigelow. At this forest lookout location you'll find good views of Tucson to the west. The rest of the trail offers views to the east of Alder Canyon, the San Pedro Valley and the copper smelter at San Manuel.

Attractions:
Trees, wildflowers and butterflies
East-west views
Cool forest setting
Diverse biology
Easy hike option
Research Natural Area