Hughes Tank Trail #262B, AZ

You won’t find any trail sign marking the Hughes Tank Trail 262B, but about 1.8 miles in from Turkey Canyon Road along the Turkey Pen Trail #262 is a signed intersection for the Fife Canyon Trail #273. This is also the Hughes Tank Trail, as shown on some maps. The Hughes Tank trail is 1.3 miles long and goes to Hughes Tank ending 0.1 miles later at the junction with the Upper Rock Creek Trail #259.


By Chiricahua Mountain standards, this trail is relatively easy to follow. You shouldn’t have any issues losing it if you keep an eye out. The Trail is through an oak, juniper, pine grassland forest, and the trail can get a little vague in the grassland areas. The first 0.2 miles, the trail crosses over a 200-foot hill to a saddle that separates Turkey Pen Creek from Rock Creek. From this saddle, the trail is downhill for the next mile to Hughes Tank. This tank was dry when I was there in October. At the junction with the Rock Creek Trail is a sign pointing out the Rock Creek Trail and the Fife Canyon Trail. Other than a sign pointing to Hughes Tank, there is no sign indicating the Hughes Tank Trail.Whatever you call the trail, this is a good connecting trail from Turkey Canyon to Rock Creek. Multiple loop hikes can be made using the Fife canyon Trail, Witch Ridge, Crest Trail, and Saulsbury Trail. Be aware that most of these trails along the western slopes of the Chiricahuas are primitive trails, and trail finding skills, along with an awareness of the terrain is a must, be prepared for some heavy bushwhacking in places.

2021-06-09 markthurman53