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| | AZ Trail 3 north portion, AZ | | | |
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AZ Trail 3 north portion, AZ
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| Hiking | 12.90 Miles |
1,400 AEG |
| | Hiking | 12.90 Miles | 5 Hrs 38 Mns | | 2.38 mph |
| 1,400 ft AEG | 13 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | The Arizona Trail #3 and #4 have a reroute, different from what I hiked a few years back. The northern most 10 miles of AZT 3 Canelo Hills west was rerouted and ends just north of Hwy 84 in Casa Blanca Canyon. The eastern 10 miles is pretty much the same. AZT 4 North of Highway 84 is rerouted through Casa Blanca canyon and then to Gardner Canyon. Haven't done this section yet and I only have a GPS route I created from Google Earth. (if any one has the GPS route it would be appreciated) I hiked the northern most 1.5 miles earlier in the year. Not sure this reroute is as scenic as Temporal Canyon and Tunnel Springs route though. The southern 8 miles of AZT 4 looks to be really boring as it gradually descends going in and out of ravines along Casa Blanca Ridge, about 7 miles of it. I think it was designed by someone who likes mountain biking. I will have to hike section 4, hopefully soon but not looking forward to that first 8 miles along Casa Blanca Ridge. If I could handle the 3.5 mile road walk (7 miles round trip) from Hwy 88 to tortilla Flat ranch 4 times in 10 days maybe I can do this once. I talked to a mountain biker who just did a loop involving this section of trail and he said it was pretty monotonous. There is also a connecting trail that goes from Temporal Canyon to the new route but do not have a GPS route yet. I believe I can also hit this section via a road in Adobe Canyon to break this section up into two hikes, Not just Ginny but I'm not sure I can do a 20 mile day anymore.
This hike though was pleasant and does a 500 foot climb gradually over 6 miles, of coarse AEG is closer to 800 feet. We hiked in 6 miles from the Casa Blanca Trail Head but where you go under the Hwy 84 Bridge we took a trail that leads to Patagonia and didn't notice it until I was .5 miles in, Had to back track. I believe this route to Patagonia was added so through hikers could restock in Patagonia. This route to Patagonia appears to follow the old train track. I think the old AZ trail that passed by Kunde Mountain is still worth seeing but you have a couple mile road walk to Patagonia.
The reroute is part new trail and part along existing 2 tracks. Most if not all the 2 tracks are on the private property section that is along the highway. The trail is easy to walk, not rocky and very few steep ascents. Saw Javelina and one deer which I was surprised to see since we didn't start the hike until 9:00 in the morning. Lots of cattle once in the Coronado national forest. Light trickle of water in one of the creeks about 4 miles in. I am going to try to hike the remaining 3.5 miles of this trail to Red Rock Canyon Creek via Red Rock Canyon Road. The rest of AZT 3 to the east hasn't changed. A few years back this would of been a good 18 mile in and back hike. |
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