Rincon Access

[Jim]

The Deer Head Fire has me increasingly excited to hike the Rincons, to the Mica Mountain area, sometime this late summer and fall. Labor Day to Thanksgiving period, as a rough time frame. I see that there are few access trail, and Turkey Creek Trail # 34 appears to be the best one for east side access to this area. A second alternative looks like Miller Creek, but that is probably better reserved for a hike to Rincon Peak.

Is there a better alternative, is #34 my best bet as I expect it to be, for fast access for a day hike of reasonable length? Keep in mind that I do no subscribe to the idea that 25 to 30 miles, and really 20 miles, makes for a reasonable day hike length, and certainly not when that far away. around 15 miles, seems pretty good, though. Also, I am not going to hike from town, that is ludicrous. ;)

Once at the end of Trail 34, Turkey Creek, do we have a map of trails in the same way we do for the Catalinas? I don't see an easy way to find names for the spaghetti network of trails that are up around Mica and Manning Camp. I understand there is a printed map I can purchase, and that may end up being the best route, but do we have something on HAZ?

[joebartels]

doubt it's as complete as the Catalina range

zoom in on the map anywhere
- right click
- official routes

ie: http://hikearizona.com/map.php?QX=3502


the mapped area needs love

[hikeaz]

Once at the end of Trail 34, Turkey Creek, do we have a map of trails in the same way we do for the Catalinas? I don't see an easy way to find names for the spaghetti network of trails that are up around Mica and Manning Camp. I understand there is a printed map I can purchase, and that may end up being the best route, but do we have something on HAZ?

The signage up there is problematic. Most if not all of the signs point toward a location rather than naming the trail you are on or which one you are intersecting; whereas the map has the mileages and names some the trails. igallery/image_page.php?id=5054
If memory serves, there's a photo or two of Joe & the boys up there a few years ago with their GPS's trying to make heads-or-tails of some of the trails.

Once you have been on the myriad trails there once, though, it will make sense on subsequent visits.
It's not that large of an area once on top. We camped up there for two nights and hiked every trail up there, some twice.
Note: The views from the area over on/near Reef Rock are awesome!