HikeArizona.COM

All,

Here's some interesting information on the new Pusch Ridge Wilderness bypass that the AZT has come up with.

I download the relevant GPX files from the AZT's website, and using MapSource sliced, diced and joined Segments 11 & 12, then chopped the end off of Segment 12 to where the bypass joins Segment 12. Here's what I found:

AZT # 11 & 12 (to where the bypass joins): 21.1 miles
The Wilderness bypass as described by AZT: 21.3 miles (only about 1/4 mile longer)

Hiking South to North, the biggest climb:
AZT 11&12
Low: 3640' @ 6.0m
High: 7450' @ 13.7m
3810' in 7.7 miles - 9.4% grade

Wilderness Bypass
Low: 4840' @ 0.0m
High: 8280' @ 11.5m
3440' in 11.5 miles - 5.7% grade

Grade-wise, it appears that the bypass is the better choice. However, since I haven't hike either segment, I can't speak as to the quality of the hike: scenery, shade, trees, trail condition, water sources, etc. If someone has hiked those, and can speak as to the "aesthetic" qualities of either trail, I'd appreciate the post.

Thanks for your time,
Gary

Without a map link to see what the bypass is, it's pretty hard to comment, since I don't know what you are going to lose. To me, those two sections are the heart of the beauty of the Catalinas. If I looked at the maps correctly, following the standard route, you will have lots of water, and will hike along Sabino Creek and pass Hutch's Pool. And you will hike up the very steep trail to beautiful Wilderness of Rocks area, and Lemmon Creek.

Do people want to bypass it because it's steep? I would consider the Pusch Ridge Wilderness a local highlight.

The bikes aren't allowed in the Wilderness, and the Romero Pass area is pretty tricky for horses, should any try to go there.

@Sredfield Hi Shawn, How are you going to bypass the mazzies? The premier range of the AZT (ha - I might be biased! but I know you like 'em too). I think ATA needs to be circumspect and while I understand the need to cater for all users there is a need to not diminish the wilderness aspect, right?
14 year member - I truly care! and I'm interested in the Mazzie plan. Supes? GC?

May as well build four lanes, rest areas, and throw in a few Holiday Inns, while you're at it. Oh, wait, just use I-17, that'll get you there.

The bikes go around the Mazatzals on the highway. I don't know the reasoning for the Mt Lemmon bypass, maybe it was done just because it could be relatively easily. Less than a mile of trail was built from San Pedro Lookout to Incinerator Ridge, all the rest was existing trail. ATA paid for and did the leg work to re-do the signs,replacing the vandalized ones with the ones that have the ATA logo on them.

And indeed, the Wilderness segments of the AZT are valued. This is an alternate route, I've heard nothing to suggest that the trail will be routed out of the Wilderness.

Most hikers, I would think, will continue to prefer the main route of the AZT through the Pusch Ridge Wilderness. In addition to being far removed from roads and associated impacts, the main route features better scenery, better access to water, better camping opportunities, greater biodiversity, less significantly burned terrain, and more noteworthy highlights such as Hutch's Pool and the Wilderness of Rock. Cyclists will be happy to have the detour route, though, as will horse parties (I suppose, though it seems that one could walk their stock through the bouldery area northeast of Romero Pass, and then as needed in the W.O.R., and that any associated hazards would be possibly less than that of competing with downhill MTB traffic on the detour route). And of course, veteran AZT hikers as well as local backpackers will appreciate the possibility of hiking a big loop using both the main and detour routes. In any case, there seems to be a quiet chorus of trail users who feel that the Arizona Trail, as one of just a few designated National Scenic Trails to date, should continue to embrace the concept of Wilderness and to promote Wilderness values to the greatest extent practical. Maintaining as well as actively promoting the original, main AZT route through the Pusch Ridge Wilderness offers an important exercise to this end.

@blisterfree
Well said!

There is a Santa Catalina Loop hike posted on the ATA web site. It includes a narrative description and a map. (For specific data points, see the Data Book for Passages 11, 12, and Pusch Ridge Wilderness Bypass.) There are a couple of (seasonal) water sources on the bypass route and the fuselage and other parts of an F86 that crashed in 1957 as well as great view to the east. The 42 mile loop would make a great weekend (or longer) trip.

There are some super nice 50+ mile backpacking trip possibilities in the Catalinas, and even more time and miles if you throw in the Rincons as well. I've often wished I had the time to do something like that.