| |
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 7.50 Miles |
3,052 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.50 Miles | | | |
| 3,052 ft AEG | | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | Frick and Jeff really Naleyed this one. Without the excellent hike description I would have no idea this route even existed. It uses official and non-official trails as well as an overgrown use trail to Bear Paw Rock and Pete's Mountain. And calling that part a "use" trail is a bit of a stretch.
I did the hike as it was described and enjoyed it very much. Along the way there are two mines plus plenty of great views of Madera Canyon, Mount Hopkins and the uppermost structure of the Whipple Telescope installation as well as the southern view down rattlesnake canyon and to Nogales and into Mexico. There is also a sign in register on top of Pete's Mountain.
All trails are very good or excellent except for the 1.8 mile roundtrip to Pete's Mountain starting from Aqua Caliente Saddle. This use trail was difficult for me. There is a use trail most of the way but it is overgrown and some bushwhacking is required. It will challenge your trial finding and keeping abilities but experienced hikers should be able to do it.
Returning from Pete's about 1.3 miles past the intersection of the Vault & Aqua Caliente Trails there is an unsigned & unofficial trail that is visible if you are alert (I was looking for it and found it easily enough). This trail goes down to the Carrie Nation mine site. A GPS track has been submitted and if preloaded on your GPS will show that intersection clearly. It should also be uselful for the round trip to Pete's from Aqua Caliente saddle.
Added Oct 11, 2010
Sometimes you learn stuff after a hike. Seeing the telescope on top of Mount Hopkins prompted me to do some internet searches and here is what I found. The FLWO complex has a visitor center and Forest Service picnic area which can be visited by anyone. Visitor center info is at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/facilities/f ... enter.html.
Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory (FLWO) - the complex on Mount Hopkins.
6.5-meter Multi-Mirror Telescope (MMT) - the visible structure on top of Mount Hopkins.
Overview with links http://www.sao.arizona.edu/FLWO/whipple.html
Directions from Tucson (paved road all the way):
Drive south on Interstate 19 to exit 56 (Canoa). At the bottom of the exit ramp, take second right at roundabout and continue around until you can drive under the freeway to the frontage road on the east side. Turn right and drive south three miles to Elephant Head Road. Turn left and drive east, crossing the Santa Cruz River on Elephant Head Bridge. One mile east of the river, turn right on Mount Hopkins Road. Drive southeast about seven miles to the Observatory Office (end of pavement). |
| _____________________
| Become a skilled GPS user and it will set you free! |
| | comments disabled by a moderator | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
