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| Hiking | 3.72 Miles |
1,159 AEG |
| | Hiking | 3.72 Miles | 2 Hrs 36 Mns | | 1.68 mph |
| 1,159 ft AEG | 23 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | What was intended to be a hike to Miller Peak was cut short as I wasn't feeling well enough (Afib) for the big task at hand. I gave it a try, but had to call it quits about 1 3/4 mile up the canyon. Paul and I had done the hike to the peak right after the Monument Fire in 2011, and the lower part of the canyon has been blasted by repeated flash flooding over the years and is still a mess in the first two miles or so. The trail followed the old mining road and that has been wiped out in places. So now a pretty steep hike has been made even more challenging. I don't call this one "Killer Miller" for nothing! Very overgrown compared to what is used to be down in the lower sections as well. The canyon is definitely getting a "wilder look." 
Regardless, I have always liked this canyon. Though we weren't able to reach the upper sections today, I'm sure it is much the same by the time you reach the bathtub. Up that high the effects of the fire and flooding have had much less impact on the trail.
On the way back down the canyon we stopped at the old Palmerlee site, which is where some of the intakes for the Tombstone Aqueduct are located. These were damaged by flooding after the fire and I don't believe Tombstone has been able to get permission to fix them. A section of the original pipeline from the 1880's has been replaced where a classic old 1878 valve was located (hopefully it is now in a museum somewhere).
If you are looking to head to Miller Peak the hard way, well this is the hike for you. It used to be nicer, but still is worth the effort. Most folks get there from Montezuma Pass (I don't like that approach) or from the Carr Canyon Road, both of which are easier. The Lutz Canyon route is also an interesting alternative that has recently been mentioned here. |
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Route Editor
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