Mt Hopkins -- is the observatory still kicking hikers off the mountain?

[andrewp]

Planning a summit tour of the Santa Ritas and Mt. Hopkins is a pretty big one to pass over. Last year there were a number of reports in triplogs of Smithsonian Observatory personnel kicking hikers off the mountain citing anything from road construction to Covid as the underlying reason. Is this still the case or are they less likely to banish hikers from the summit these days?

[SpiderLegs]

The Tucson Trail Runners just re-routed their annual Hopkins-Wrightson loop run this past weekend. The scuttlebutt that I heard was that they chatted with someone in the know about Hopkins and they were told to stay away this year. I was one of the people who was very nicely kicked off of Hopkins last summer.

The summit will still be there next year.

[andrewp]

@SpiderLegs

Thanks! I'll plan to stay away until nest year.

[DixieFlyer]

Here is the text of an email that I got from a friend in January of this year:

"Last Friday two friends hiked Mt. Hopkins and reported the following. After ascending the east ridge they continued hiking on the road toward the summit. As they approached the restroom/picnic area they were approached by a worker who identified himself as a "safety" person. He advised my two friends that the entire road past the gate is now a no trespassing area as a result of a work truck hitting a bicyclist. He also implied that it was not safe to hike there stating that security cameras have been capturing more illegal activity lately including drug running and human trafficking. The safety person would not allow my two friends to proceed to the summit but did allow them to exit via the north ridge. "

Here is a sign that was on the gate on the road:
[ image ]

[andrewp]

He also implied that it was not safe to hike there stating that security cameras have been capturing more illegal activity lately including drug running and human trafficking.

I see comments to this effect a lot w.r.t. the Santa Ritas and have to wonder how much real validity there is to them. Are the drug runners really dumb enough to route via the area around the observatory or are there security cameras we don't know about on the other trails?!

Are the illicit cross-border activities really THAT big of a problem in the Santa Ritas?

[chumley]

Are the illicit cross-border activities really THAT big of a problem

The answer to that depends on the political affiliation of the person responding.

[SpiderLegs]

Are the illicit cross-border activities really THAT big of a problem in the Santa Ritas?

I poke around the Santa Rita's fairly often and have a couple of friends to do a lot of off trail stuff down there. I've never seen evidence of illegal traffic or any pics from friends. It's a rugged range that's easy to get lost or turned around in, doubt it sees much activity that originates south of the border.

The guy that kicked us off last year did say that the observatory was starting to have issues with petty theft and traffic safety from cyclists going up the road. Guess it got worse over the year.

[SpiderLegs]

Alright, sent a message to someone who has contacts over at Hopkins. The Smithsonian leases the top of the mountain, so Covid gave them a legitimate excuse to limit liability by denying access to the top. They do have cameras and someone patrolling right now, so the chances of a successful summit are slim (apparently there is one day a week they are short staffed).

[sam_hikes]

Ritas well known to border patrol especially common in madera canyon.

quail creek hiking group would be a good source.

follow the offtrail routes as no need to hike the road to Hopkins unless you need to touch the tower for your FKT

[Nighthiker]

Lug a telescope with you, trespass security will be doing this while you hike thru.

[SpiderLegs]

follow the offtrail routes as no need to hike the road to Hopkins unless you need to touch the tower for your FKT

From another source, was told that they have cameras at the exit points near the road for those off trail routes now. So could probably touch the guard rail and scurry back off, but you won't get to the actual peak anytime soon.

[chumley]

A good percentage of the population today has cameras. And there are still porch pirates. Because it doesn't matter.

[SpiderLegs]

good percentage of the population today has cameras. And there are still porch pirates. Because it doesn't matter.

There is increased security on the mountain, just need to guess what day of the week isn't patrolled.

[RedRoxx44]

Good Grief-- Stealth Hiking Rules
1. Do not use normal or known routes
2. Clothing and items do not have any logos, face covering and hat, even sunglasses
3. Cover for license plate or park up against bank or tree
4.Camo or appropriate colors for the terrain--including pack cover. I've spray painted some of my equipment with camo rustoleum in a patchy pattern. Solids are a no no.
5. Timing-- shift changes are good, most people just want to get home and could care less.
6. After visiting the forbidden if you think you are on camera turn shirt inside out, at vehicle change clothing and bag it.

I'm not remotely interested in doing this but want to just to see if I can.

Oh and if a camera is a real time feed as is likely there; of course avoid it at all possible. Remote areas just put some mud or a towel over it, remove when you leave.

[SpiderLegs]

@RedRoxx44 - Seems you have some experience in this. lol

[RedRoxx44]

A post of mine from an old thread. I think this is from the old sneak peaks section of the Sierra Club desert peaks group.

Class S1 = Private property but no fences, ranches, gates or signs (Mt. Harbin 2582')
# Class S2 = Private property but no signs. Maybe a fence or two (Santa Ana Mt. 3112')
# Class S3 = Private property signs, locked gate, fence or 2, but no ranch houses (Palo Escrito 4465')
# Class S4 = Signs, locked gates, many fences, ranch houses currently occupied (Weller Pk 2450')
# Class S5 = Signs, gates, many fences, ranch houses occupied, plus barking dogs (Mt. Boardman 3626')
# Class S6 = Signs, gates, fences, occupied houses, barking dogs, and the houses have clear view of the route (Sonoma Mt. 2463')
# Class S7 = Signs, gates, fences, houses, barking dogs, and active security patrol on duty (Mt. Black & Mt. Day)
# Class S8 = Signs, gates, fences, houses, dogs, patrol, plus county sheriff or local park ranger (Poverty Ridge)
# Class S9 = Signs, gates, fences, houses, dogs, patrol, sheriff, plus local owners threatening climbers with guns (Rose Peak 1974')
# Class S10 = All of the above plus climbers with guns (Mt. Isabel)

As I recall I've been involved up to class 9 I think

[andrewp]

@RedRoxx44



So would Hopkins be class 7 (-fences, -dogs, +cameras) or a lower class with adders for cameras and patrol?

[SpiderLegs]

So would Hopkins be class 7 (-fences, -dogs, +cameras) or a lower class with adders for cameras and patrol?

I may call it Class 3 - Private property, signs, locked gate and no houses. But this list intrigues me, especially Class 10. Where do you find climbers with guns?

[Pivo]

@SpiderLegs
I know of one.

[chumley]

@Pivo
Back in my younger days we used to do it, but ever since age took its toll, such activities aren't really an option anymore. But we can dream, right?