Round the Mountain Trail #302 • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Gibson Canyon Trail #308

Gibson Canyon Trail #308

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jan 14 2025
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	7.00 Miles	1,400 AEG

Hiking	7.00 Miles
	1,400 ft AEG

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AddSanz

It's been 8 years, haven't been up the canyon portion since the Frye Fire of 2017
First made a quick stop on the drive in at the petroglyphs.

The hike up through the lower winter grasses was beautiful!
S canyon higher up also beautiful with a few pools along the creek bed.
We then took Round the Mountain trail south towards Marijilda.
The views up Graham had little snow, but were still wonderful!
We rested at the first big gorge by the creek, had lunch then returned back.
Both trails have been cleaned up and were in perfect condition.
The whole area has recovered well from the fire and except for the lower prickly pears, you could almost not tell a fire ran through this canyon ... happy dance!
Great scenic backyard hike with my good buddy (her first time up Gibson).
I really love this area!

Gibson Creek

Light flow

S Canyon

Pools to trickle

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2 archives

Jan 24 2024

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Adams Flat

Adams Flat

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jan 24 2024
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	4.00 Miles	500 AEG

Hiking	4.00 Miles
	500 ft AEG

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Goat Tank - Pinaleno Mtns

John's Dam

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3 days of rain, time to check waterfalls ...

Adams Flat Falls - Wet & slick trail up, the triple falls looked great!
Noon Creek from RTM CG - Up the canyon to the 20 footer, looked great!
Johns Dam - Looked great!
I continued along the ditch line down to Goat Tank, tank is still low.
Bout' 15 ducks flew off as I arrived.
Did a little more exploring in the area with a climb up to the first mesa then down to the old ranch ruins before heading back.
Lot's of cattle poop along with the poopers on the hike back out.

Had a good time checking water flow, light rain throughout.

Goat Tank

1-25% full

Jacobson Creek - Pinalenos

Medium flow

Medium flow

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Dec 28 2023

GrottoGirl

Guides 3
Routes 569
Photos 11,976
Triplogs 1,634

50 female

Joined Sep 18 2009
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Dec 28 2023
		GrottoGirl • Triplogs 1,634

Hiking	6.35 Miles	1,443 AEG

Hiking	6.35 Miles	2 Hrs 45 Mns	2.51 mph
	1,443 ft AEG	13 Mns Break

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Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

We are camping at Essence of Tranquility and soaking. Decided to do a trail 15 minutes away. Thought we’d do a loop with the Round the Mountain Trail. The Noon Creek trail and Round the Mountain trail have had recent trail maintenance. The other part of our loop down into Wet Canyon was missing so we walked the road. Still had a great day!

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Dec 02 2023

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Dec 02 2023
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	6.00 Miles	1,100 AEG

Hiking	6.00 Miles
	1,100 ft AEG

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Started from RTM CG.
First up the Ridge trail to the last overlook for a peek at the new snow ... not much.
Then back down and on to the upper Noon Creek crossing.
Decided here I wanted to see Marijilda Canyon so up to the saddle I went.
Made it up in about an hour to the always amazing view down into Marijilda.
Not much snow here either, but I could hear the roar of the water below from melt.
Back down and on home completing a nice Saturday.

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Nov 16 2023

cactuscat

Routes 85
Photos 3,718
Triplogs 486

female

Joined Oct 15 2002
Rimrock, Arizona

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Nov 16 2023
		cactuscat • Triplogs 486

Hiking	6.14 Miles	1,209 AEG

Hiking	6.14 Miles	4 Hrs 18 Mns	1.75 mph
	1,209 ft AEG	47 Mns Break

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Noon Creek Cutoff Trail

[ checklist ] Red-naped Sapsucker Woohouse’s Scrub Jay

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Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Only had a starting point in mind today - not really a destination or route ... Hadn't been on the Noon Ridge Trail, so I decided to check that out.
I crossed paths with only one other person.
Another really nice day!

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Noon Creek Wet Canyon

Autumn Foliage Observation Isolated

Light flow

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Aug 08 2023

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Aug 08 2023
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	6.50 Miles	800 AEG

Hiking	6.50 Miles
	800 ft AEG

no routes

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Moonshine Creek

Snow Flat

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AddSanz

Plan A was to see how far we could get down the upper RTM trail.
Parked at Bible Camp and hiked the rest of 508 road to the TH.
Got on the trail and made it 20 yards down ... 20 yards down!
What a disaster of deadfall.
Forest Service is just never going to repair these upper mountain trails damaged from the Frye Fire.
In fact, was recently told by FS that the problem is there were too many trails made back in the old days to maintain now. I have my opinion on that ...

Plan B - We hiked back to Bible Camp and toured the empty camp counting 13 structures and checked out a couple overlooks before leaving.
Next up was Moonshine Creek from Cunningham under threatening monsoon skies. Only made it .25 miles before storms hit forcing us back ... Jeez

Plan C - Drove down to Snow Flat and completed the short trail down to the overlook. Low creek flow, but very beautiful with quite a nice show of flowers.
I was just happy to complete a trail!

To end we stopped at Angle Orchard on the lower mountain and picked us some peaches & apples.

Some days just don't go as planned but ...
We somehow got 6.5 hiking miles in.
Saw 2 turkeys with young in the Hospital Flat meadow.
Hiked the beautiful #508 road down to RTM TH.
Toured the Bible Camp.
Met a nice couple at Cunningham CG.
Saw beautiful scenery at Snow Flat.
Awesome monsoon afternoon scenery 360.
And came home with delicious peaches & apples.

Outdoor fun with my buddy, Thx AS for taking me!

Wildflowers Observation Light

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Apr 09 2023

gordee151

Routes 2
Photos 99
Triplogs 24

male

Joined Mar 29 2022
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Apr 09 2023
		gordee151 • Triplogs 24

Hiking	3.00 Miles	500 AEG

Hiking	3.00 Miles
	500 ft AEG

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SDMB Trail Work and Ride Report from April 9th 2023. Started at "Connector" Trail then rode up to Noon Creek Ridge 381 intersection then back to Connector then onto RTM 302 to Noon Creek 302A. 3 volunteers spent time working on sections .8 miles in from Connector on RTM. Drains were repaired and sections of very narrow, on the edge trail were re-benched. Overall RTM is riding decently but there are some sections where it's narrow and grassy. Other sections are wide open and great from work last year and this. Go hike/bike/run it. It needs the use.

Want to get involved with trail work?
↓ See my signature below ↓

_____________________

Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists
Mt Graham Volunteer Trail Work Coordinator
Want to volunteer? Email: communications@sdmb.org
Instagram @sdmb_mtb

1 archive

Aug 07 2022

Mike_W

Guides 104
Routes 256
Photos 16,118
Triplogs 528

53 male

Joined Dec 30 2005
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Aug 07 2022
		Mike_W • Triplogs 528

Hiking	0.80 Miles	240 AEG

Hiking	0.80 Miles	1 Hour	0.80 mph
	240 ft AEG

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My original goal on this day was to hike to Trap peak via the Round the Mountain trail, but it didn't work out as planned.

I drove to the end of FS road 508 which appeared to be the ending point of the "Round the Mountain" trail. There was an old wooden sign here that was probably 100 years old. Within the first 20 feet, there were several downed trees which basically turned this hike into a ridiculous bushwhack. I did see several pink ribbons so I know I was in the vicinity of what used to be a trail. I was able to travel about 0.5 miles and navigation didn't get any better. I realized it wasn't worth going any further, so I turned around. I didn't quite make it to the canyon which was East of the trailhead. That night I stayed at Shannon campground. I met a camper there named Mike who had done trail maintenance in various areas. He told me many of the trails around this area have not been maintained in 20 or 30 years. The camp host Joe said he hiked 2 or 3 miles of the "Round the Mountain" trail starting from the Swift trail and it was better maintained for the first 2 miles, but became hard to follow and thick after about the first 2 or 3 miles. I suppose if I ever want to hike Trap peak, I'd need to find a better route, perhaps starting from Frye Mesa reservoir or somewhere in Frye canyon.

_____________________

Michael Williams
IT Professional
Rocky Point Vacation Rentals
Ocean Front Condo in Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico
www.beachfrontmexico.us

Apr 06 2022

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Noon Creek - Adams Flat Loop, AZ

Hiking		Apr 06 2022
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	7.10 Miles	1,454 AEG

Hiking	7.10 Miles	5 Hrs 6 Mns	1.49 mph
	1,454 ft AEG	21 Mns Break

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Noon Creek Cutoff Trail

Jacobson Creek - Pinalenos

Adams Flat

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mamakatt22

Ginny and I headed to Safford again for three days of hiking in the Pinaleno Mountains. We didn’t leave Tucson till around 7:00 so we got a late hike start, about 10:00. We started out at the Noon Creek picnic area and took the Noon Creek Trail #302A, a portion of the Round The Mountain Trail #302, Noon Creek Cutoff Trail and what was supposed to be an old logging road to Adams Flat then back to Noon Creek picnic area. The Noon Creek, Round the Mountain and Noon Creek Cutoff Trails were in good condition from recent maintenance.
On the Noon Creek Cutoff Trail I let Ginny lead, not far into it she got surprised by a snake in the trail. It was a bull snake so it is harmless but it was a good size. Snakes always get your attention when you come across them. After that incident I kept an eye on the trail in front of her to watch for rattlesnakes. On the uphill’s I find it easier to let her set the pace so I don’t get too far ahead, sometimes it’s easier to push than pull.
The hike from the end of the Cutoff Trail down Wet Canyon to Adams Flat was a bush whack, the old logging road doesn’t exist anymore, at least that I could find. The bush whack wasn’t as bad as some of the ones I’ve been on in the Chiricahuas, we managed to find a route through without much bloodshed. Ginny is such a trooper, I had her pushing through, under and over bushes and trees all the while I was claiming the trail was there somewhere. The Adams flat trail was a welcome sight. This trail follows an old abandon irrigation canal. It does not look like a maintained trail and can be a little awkward following as it is a shallow ditch with multiple pipes strung along it, easy to trip or stumble. At the junction with the Butterfly Trail we took the road back to the start point.
There was still a little snow on the peaks of the mountain but not nearly as much as a couple weeks ago when I was here. Noon Creek and Jacobson Creeks had a good flow of water still. Made it back to the start point around 4:00 and time to head to Safford and check into the hotel and get dinner.

video [ youtube video ]

Medium flow

Medium flow

	Wet Canyon	Pools to trickle	Pools to trickle
	Trickle in some locations

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Mar 27 2022

gordee151

Routes 2
Photos 99
Triplogs 24

male

Joined Mar 29 2022
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Mar 27 2022
		gordee151 • Triplogs 24

Hiking	3.00 Miles	1,000 AEG

Hiking	3.00 Miles	1 Hour 30 Mns	2.00 mph
	1,000 ft AEG

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This is a consolidated trip report of hiking and trail maintenance done on March 20th as well as March 26th and 27th. RTM was string trimmed from the unmarked Swift Trail TH where it ascends toward the intersection with Noon Creek Ridge Trail through to pools/creek crossing of Noon Creek. Further brush trimming and some light tread re-benching was performed from the Noon Creek crossing.

There are some sections of trail that still need brush cleared back a bit that volunteers did not get to the weekend of March 26th and 27th. This is the middle 1/2 mile of trail between Noon Creek Ridge and Connector. That said compared to most trails in this area it is in great shape. The string trimming alone makes the corridor feel more welcoming.

SDMB a multi use, trail advocacy organization, from Tucson, has a volunteer maintenance agreement in place with the USFS Safford district to work on trails needing deferred maintenance in Pinalenos. In addition to RTM and Noon Creek, volunteers are working on Ladybug, Shake and Arcadia Trail. There is also work being done by the Fort Grant Prison Crew to restore post 2017 Frye Fire impacted trails including Grant Goudy, Heliograph, Arcadia and RTM.

Want to get involved with trail work?
↓ See my signature below ↓

_____________________

Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists
Mt Graham Volunteer Trail Work Coordinator
Want to volunteer? Email: communications@sdmb.org
Instagram @sdmb_mtb

2 archives

Mar 11 2022

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Mar 11 2022
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	3.00 Miles	500 AEG

Hiking	3.00 Miles
	500 ft AEG

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Noon Creek Canyon Loop

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Up 302 half way

dropped into the canyon and up

back out on 302

just a bit up RTM.
Met a feller on RTM and together we hiked back down. The creek is starting to pick up with snow melt and there were springy things starting along the water. Just a nice trip out with a new friend made, in my book ... that's a good afternoon in the outdoors!
I also saw my first snake of the year on the road out ... gopher snake.

	Noon Creek	Light flow	Light flow
	Flow picking up from snow melt.

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Mar 08 2022

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Gibson to Deadman Ridge, AZ

Hiking		Mar 08 2022
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	10.00 Miles	3,078 AEG

Hiking	10.00 Miles	6 Hrs 39 Mns	1.91 mph
	3,078 ft AEG	1 Hour 25 Mns Break

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Gibson Canyon Trail #308

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I returned to the Pinaleno Mountains for two days to hike two more trails I haven’t done yet and to answer the question, Does the Round the Mountain Trail still exist? The first days hike was on the Gibson Canyon Trail #308. I took the Marijilda Canyon road off of the Swift Highway to the trail head. This road is really rocky and a bit of clearance is recommended; luckily it isn’t far to the trail head, 3.5 miles. Crossing Marijilda creek wasn’t an issue. Recommend emptying the bladder behind some bush on the side of the road before attempting, after driving all the way from Tucson I only made it about 100 yards on this road before stopping (I know, too much information). At the end of the road is the signed trail head. My plan was to hike the Gibson up to the Round the Mountain Trail then hook a right and head up to Deadman Ridge. If I have the time and ambition, head down to where it connects up to the Deadman Canyon Trail #70.

Gibson trail is not maintained but fairly easy to follow, no issues getting off trail. The fact that it follows an old almost nonexistent road makes the trail easy to follow. It is a continuous uphill climb to the Round the Mountain Trail (RTM) junction at 2.1 miles in. The Gibson Trail Continues on up to the top of the Pinaleno Mountains but you have to head south on the RTM Trail for .3 miles where the trail continues on up. I will head north on the RTM and head up to Deadman Ridge. The trail becomes a bit faint from this junction north. I was able to stay on track only getting off trail a few times. The vegetation has not had its spring growth spurt yet so this made it easier. The trail gets easier to follow the closer to the ridge you get. Great views from the pass overlooking Deadman and Marijilda Canyons. Deadman peak is to the east along Deadman Ridge and Trap Peak to the north of Deadman Canyon. Mount Graham and Plain View Peak on the Pinaleno’s are visible for much of this hike. From the saddle I headed down the trail toward Deadman Creek. I continued down for about .5 miles and turned around. The trail along this section was easy to follow but very narrow. The vegetation on the north side slope was thick and if it wasn’t for the fact that it was winter might add a magnitude of difficulty to finding this trail. A bit of Ice along this section of trail also made sections of this trail difficult, luckily the sections were short and I was able to bypass them.

The answer to my question does the trail exist; it does between Gibson and Deadman ridge and looks like on down to Deadman Creek. It would be wise to do this trail in the winter before the vegetation gets too thick. It appears that most of the sustaining efforts of this trail are done by the animals as they use it as a means of getting from on canyon to the other, I saw no evidence of use by humans at least since the last rain/snow 3 weeks ago. Evidence of the Frye Fire of 2017 was visible along the trails but things have recovered nicely since the fire. There was water in Marijilda Creek but S Canyon off of Marijilda was dry this time, it had a trickle two weeks ago when I was here.

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Feb 25 2022

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Round the Mountain Trail #302, AZ

Hiking		Feb 25 2022
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	12.20 Miles	3,288 AEG

Hiking	12.20 Miles	6 Hrs 39 Mns	2.13 mph
	3,288 ft AEG	56 Mns Break

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I spent a couple of days in the Pinaleno Mountains hiking along the eastern slopes. My plan was to hike the Round the Mountain Trail from the Swift Trail to the Fry Canyon Area. Day one was to be from Noon Creek area to Deadman Ridge for a 14 mile round trip. In reality I hiked in 6 miles to just below Deadman Ridge and called it quits. I still had to get back out. This trail is nothing but straight up and then straight down with a lot of fantastic views along the way.

Started out at the Round The Mountain Trail Head along the Swift Trail Road just up from the Noon Creek camping area. Room at the road for 2 or three cars to park but I was the only one there so no problem. The trail head is signed indicating, Marijilda Canyon 3.5 miles, Gibson Trail 4.5 miles, Deadman Canyon 9 miles and Inception 11 and Columbine 17 miles. The trail is in excellent condition with 3 people working the trail at about .5 miles in just before noon Creek. From the creek the trail heads up about 1000 feet to Marijilda Ridge. Steady climb but the trail is in good condition. At the crest there are great views overlooking Marijilda Canyon almost straight down below. My main thought was “They want me to climb all the way down there (almost 1000 feet) then back up to Deadman Ridge up 1800 feet.” Oh well what else have I got to do. I noticed on the hike up to the ridge a set of what looked like Mountain lion prints heading in the opposite direction along the trail, It wasn’t until I headed down into Marijilda Canyon the prints in the snow confirmed it. I would see these prints all along the trail until I got down into the canyon. Guess it was heading from one canyon to the other in the opposite direction of me, either earlier in the morning or last night. Interesting to ponder that while I didn’t see it, It probably was saw me. This probably occurs more often then we realize.

The trail is in good condition all the way to the intersection of the Gibson Trail from then on it gets hard to follow and after a while I decided to turn back. I was unaware of the Gibson Trail and it offers an option to hike to Deadman Ridge and Canyon on another hike. There is an old sign at the junction with the Gibson Trail as it heads on up to mount Graham. Part is on the post the other part on the ground. Further up the Round The Mountain Trail is the junction with the Gibson Canyon Trail as it heads down canyon. I am not sure of the condition of the Round the Mountain Trail after this point, I followed it for about another mile getting off trail a few times but eventually finding it again. Has anyone been on this trail in the past year or so? Starting to have my doubts about the existence of this trail further north.

There was water flowing in Noon, Marijilda and Gibson Creeks, not enough to hinder crossing though. Snow was still on the north facing slopes along the trail but the most I saw was about an inch. No one on the trail except the trail crew I encountered early in the morning. I will be staying in Safford tonight for another adventure tomorrow.

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Jan 03 2022

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jan 03 2022
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	4.00 Miles	600 AEG

Hiking	4.00 Miles
	600 ft AEG

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First hike of the year.
Plan was a snow hike up at Twilight, but slipping & sliding my van on the icy road at Arcadia turned me around. Plan B was Noon Creek Ridge. Took it a mile up and got my snow fix in before returning back down and checking the creek flow at upper Noon Creek crossing. Good ice cycle flow and cold in all that shade. Ended with another stop at RTM CG to see lower Noon Creek crossing. Cold and icy down there as well.
Good first trip!

	Noon Creek	Medium flow	Medium flow
	Good flow with lots of ice cycles.

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Nov 26 2021

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Nov 26 2021
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	5.25 Miles	1,150 AEG

Hiking	5.25 Miles
	1,150 ft AEG

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Noon Creek Canyon Loop

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Morning hike
Up #302A

RTM up to Marijilda Saddle and back

Down to upper Noon Creek

Down Noon Creek Canyon

Back up to 302A

Back to RTM CG.
Main goal of this trip was to see Marijilda Canyon, it looked awesome and with a light dusting of snow on the peaks.
Then down Noon Creek Canyon to a favorite waterfall for a bit.
Encountered a couple, a hunter & a family of 10 along the way. That may be the most people I have ever seen not only on this trail, but any Pinaleno trail in my life

The solitude sucked today ...

Fun hike

Autumn Foliage Observation Moderate
Cottonwoods & sycamores are turning color now in Jacobson Canyon.

	Noon Creek	Light flow	Light flow
	Already got some snow melt flow going.

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Sep 12 2019

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Round the Mountain Trail upper, AZ

Hiking		Sep 12 2019
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	1.05 Miles	355 AEG

Hiking	1.05 Miles	50 Mns		1.54 mph
	355 ft AEG	9 Mns Break	15 LBS Pack

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On this trip to the Pinaleno Mountains I was going to do a couple of short trails on the upper part of the mountain before the snows close access to them down. For the first hike my intentions were to hike the Round the Mountain trail from it's north end about 3 miles to the junction with the Fry Canyon Trail. Parked at the end of the Old Columbine Road, The trail is signed at the trail Head. I headed out on the faint trail and within 100 yards the trail disappears in a grove of aspen saplings. I will never see the trail or any hint of it after that. I wander around crossing a couple washed out streams, crossing over lots of dead fall and scrambling across rock debris fields. My thinking was when I get through this "stuff" the trail will show up but the "stuff" never seemed to end. After a couple of trips and stumbles I figured I would bag this hike and go back and maybe attack it from the other end some day. This was no place to to have an injury especially since no one knows I'm here. For some reason GPS Joe kept going through my head.

If anyone has information on the existence of this trail and the condition of other parts would appreciate the info. From my GPS route I now know what a route of someone who is lost and wandering around aimlessly looks like.

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Jun 24 2018

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jun 24 2018
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	5.50 Miles	1,450 AEG

Hiking	5.50 Miles
	1,450 ft AEG

no routes

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Sunrise start to beat the heat.
Made it up to Marijilda Saddle by 6am and was already dripping with sweat

Was so happy to see that only the upper canyon & ridgeline were hit by last years Frye fire and not too bad, just patchy burn areas. The rest of the canyon down to Marijilda creek looked fine including the small population of pines along the trail that I feared would be gone. I continued down to just the first overlook of the Gila Valley below which was hidden in a thick smokey haze. Quick text to a friend who informed me that the winds had brought the smoke from 2 of the New Mexico fires into AZ overnight. Returned back in the hazy morning sunshine making it back down to my truck at 8am. Not a trail I like to do in June (my least favorite month), but am glad I got my status on Marijilda ..... and it was good!

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

Pools to trickle

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Feb 20 2018

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Feb 20 2018
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	4.65 Miles	850 AEG

Hiking	4.65 Miles
	850 ft AEG

no routes

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Noon Creek Canyon Loop

Swift Trail (State Hwy 366)

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Graham got more snow & rain overnight, so I headed up to Noon Creek for the water show while it's at peak. Started from the Round the Mountain TH and headed up counter for the loop. Right away I almost couldn't make the first lower crossing ..... can't remember ever seeing this much water rushing down Noon Creek!!!
Arrived later at the upper crossing with another tough water cross ..... this one I had to get wet.
In-between completing the loop I made some short side trips down the canyon, up the Round the Mountain trail, up Noon Creek Ridge and along the Swift Trail to bring me back to the start.
Unbelievable amount of water coming off the mountain everywhere right now, upper 1/3 of Graham covered with a new blanket of snow and throughout I was hit with snow flurries & cold, cold temps ..... It was Awesomely beautiful!

From a favorite perch in the canyon -
[ youtube video ]

Heavy flow

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Sep 09 2017

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Road to Nowhere - FR 861

Road to Nowhere - FR 861

Tucson, AZ

Scenic Drive		Sep 09 2017
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Scenic Drive

Scenic Drive	5 Hrs	0.00 mph

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Noon Creek Picnic Area

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Was gonna be a hike day ..... Na ..... don't feel like it today.
Decided on just an afternoon of R&R somewhere on the lower mountain.
I first drove up to the Round the Mountain trail/campground. Built a fire and seasoned some cookware for upcoming trips.
I then hiked down to Noon Creek and also made a driving stop at the picnic grounds for a bit as well.
Then a quick trip down to Angle Orchard for some tasty apples ..... better than Apple Annie's (yup, I said it).
I finished with a very scenic drive up the RTN. Haven't drove the road in years (hike it most of the time) and remembered why, very rocky in several places and I had to apologized to my tires upon reaching the Jacobson Overlook. Spent the next couple hours watching a good thunderstorm move from Artesia northwest all the way across the Gila valley and on to Pima, It was Awesome to watch! Sat on the wall for sunset then watched a couple weak lightning storms in the far distance before returning home.
Well spent afternoon.

Bench Tank

1-25% full

Light flow

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May 19 2017

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Tucson, AZ

Backpack		May 19 2017
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Backpack	8.85 Miles	2,450 AEG

Backpack	8.85 Miles	1 Day
	2,450 ft AEG

no routes

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Partners

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Solo overnight getaway - Noon Creek to Marijilda Creek segment of the Round the Mountain Trail.

From the RTM lot I took Noon Creek up, right onto RTM up to Marijilida saddle then down to Marijilda Creek. Planned on setting up camp by the creek, but the area was very thick and closed in with foliage. Very beautiful, but not what I was looking for to camp. Decided to head back up and out to camp higher on the switchbacks at a great Gila valley overlook I noted earlier as a back-up. Unable to locate any flat ground, I set up my camp right on the trail at the overlook. I believe this was the first time I have ever done this, but this is a very low use trail and I didn't foresee any problems ... and there wasn't.
Campfire, dinner, nighttime Gila valley lights , night/astro photography, reading & writing were my pleasures before a 10pm bedtime. Night temps at 6000ft were chilly through the night and had me up with the sun at 5am packing up and heading out. Made it back down to Noon Creek in short time ending this good trip!
No big wildlife on the trail, but I did hear an owl most of the night down the canyon and spotted my first rattlesnake of the year crossing the Swift Trail on the drive down home.

Wildflowers Observation Light

Marijilda Canyon

Medium flow

Medium flow

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