Cat Cave Loop - Sonoita Creek SNA, AZ

Hike described includes the following trails located in Patagonia State Park and Sonoita Creek State Natural Area


Sonoita Creek Trail - 1.5 miles (twice)
Railroad Trail - 2.5 miles
Cat Cave Trail - 2.5 miles
Coal Mine Spring Trail - 1 mileThis is an excellent trail in a beautiful area - always interesting and challenging. It took me three attempts to get this trail right. I recommend you go left to right, as the more confusing sections are in the first half of the loop. Start from the Patagonia Lake State Park parking area and take the Sonoita Trail down to the Sonoita Creek, to the Railroad Trail junction. This is the "knot" for the lasso style loop trail. If you prefer to go right instead, note that the Coal Mine Spring Trail is offset and starts straight uphill.

The Railroad trail follows the creek and can be very tricky in places, due to the many cattle paths in the reedy areas, as the whole area is open range. When in doubt, default to paths nearer to the bluffs and away from the creek. Always look for the raised (railroad, once?) bed. Follow to the Sonoita Creek Campsite

The Cat Cave trail starts at the Sonoita Creek campsite. Note that the Cat Cave trail is behind the signage and not easily recognized. Do not go up the path into the gully, which is far more visible and seemingly correct! The trail rises to high hilly country that has tall grass and stony ground, both obscuring the thin trail and can be challenging to follow, however volunteers have built an excellent cairn system on the Cat Cave and Coal Spring Trail, so just be alert. At about 1.4 miles the Cat Cave Trail crosses the west loop of the Coal Mine Spring Trail, and another mile further it ends at the eastern junction of the Coal Mine Spring Loop Trail. Follow the Coal Mine Spring trail (1.0 miles) as slopes back down to the Sonoita Spring Trail junction and return.

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