Mount Kimball - Pima Canyon Traverse • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jan 23 2024
		finkmartin • Triplogs 2

Hiking	13.65 Miles	4,550 AEG

Hiking	13.65 Miles
	4,550 ft AEG

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Did Finger Rock Canyon Trail from Alvernon trailhead to Mt. Kimball and out via Pima Canyon on 1/19. GPS had it at 10.9 miles, 4100 ft of gain, 6:30. Finger Rock Canyon trail has been my benchmark for a hard trail since I first did it 30 years ago. After the first mile, it is basically 1000 ft up per mile for four straight miles. Trail was in excellent shape: recently maintained, vegetation cut back, some short sections rebuilt. It is very rocky, however. You will be watching where you plant your foot on almost every step. The last 1/2 mile or so, in the burn zone, has some significant erosion. The upper two miles of Pima Canyon are very steep and narrow, with lots of loose rock and grit. They are just as hard coming down as Finger Rock is going up, and going up this way would be brutal. After those first couple of miles, though, the trail moderates and you can finish at a quicker pace. Both trails are always easy to follow. No water in Finger Rock Canyon despite the recent rain and snow. Top mile of Pima Canyon is mostly on north side of the ridge, had significant snowy/icy stretches remaining. Poles were essential, and these trails are not a good choice if you have a fear of heights. Water in Pima Canyon at the highest creek crossing and in small pools in the slickrock lower down. Pima Canyon spring was damp and mossy but no water flowing out--I didn't scramble up to the springhouse to see if there was a pool there. Plenty of hikers in the bottom three miles of Pima Canyon, otherwise pretty empty. The views in the upper portions of both canyons rival any national park, IMHO. The first 1.25 miles of Finger Rock Canyon, before the trail crosses the canyon bottom and starts to go steeply up the east side of the canyon, is one of my favorite short hikes to introduce folks to the desert and the Catalinas. The bottom three miles of Pima Canyon are also an easy introduction, but you have to traverse private land for close to a mile before you get into the canyon itself.

Oct 07 2023

SpiderLegs

Guides 2
Routes 10
Photos 42
Triplogs 893

58 male

Joined Jul 12 2012
Oro Valley, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Oct 07 2023
		SpiderLegs • Triplogs 893

Hiking	11.60 Miles	4,600 AEG

Hiking	11.60 Miles	6 Hrs 15 Mns		1.86 mph
	4,600 ft AEG		22 LBS Pack

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Convinced my wife to pick me up at Pima Canyon so that I could check this hike off my list. Unseasonably warm this morning, even at 4:30 AM when I hit the trail it was already 83 degrees and almost 20 degrees warmer than every other morning this week. Uneventful going up, hit Mt. Kimball and ate really quick. Then started down Pima Canyon. Trail is steep, in poor shape and overgrown. There is a well fed bear roaming around up there, I've never seen scat so big in my life.

Glad to finally get this done, but not in any hurry to do this again any time soon.

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

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See my pics on Instagram @tucsonexplorer

Apr 18 2021

nikorock28

Routes 18
Photos 580
Triplogs 1,081

42 male

Joined Nov 16 2010
Kingman, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Apr 18 2021
		nikorock28 • Triplogs 1,081

Hiking	11.60 Miles	4,600 AEG

Hiking	11.60 Miles
	4,600 ft AEG

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Jim

After dropping a car at Pima Canyon, we got going from the Finger Rock parking lot at 9:41AM. It was sunny and quite nice. I would have liked to move faster, but I'm not used to humping 4 liters of water with me and additional pack weight, so that slowed me down a bit. We went over to Linda Vista viewpoint and took a decent break to eat and drink. Continued on with minor breaks here and there, reaching the top in 3 hours. Finger Rock is a fun climb and fun trail, though a little sad to witness the effects of the fire.

We were in no hurry, so we stayed at the top for 45 minutes. This is when clouds rolled in and, with the breeze, it was a bit chilly, so I threw on a long sleeved shirt. We headed back down, with the trail being decent for a short time, but began to deteriorate the further we descended. Not the most fun descent, but not that horrible either. Nice views at times both down and up canyon and we took a few breaks in the lower portions. It was cloudy for much of the descent, with the sun trying to break through at times. Drank 3.5 liters because I had it, but would have been fine with less.

I'm glad we did it, but probably just up and down Finger Rock the next few times. There were several folks out in the upper reaches of Finger Rock and one woman in upper pima. Nice to finally meet and hike with Jim.

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Apr 18 2021

Jim

Guides 73
Routes 176
Photos 10,174
Triplogs 2,324

46 male

Joined Sep 08 2006

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Apr 18 2021
		Jim • Triplogs 2,324

Hiking	11.60 Miles	4,600 AEG

Hiking	11.60 Miles	8 Hrs 20 Mns		1.53 mph
	4,600 ft AEG	45 Mns Break	10 LBS Pack

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nikorock28

A replacement for Nick and I doing CSP2ML, and it was more or less Okay. Pima is not in good shape and I can't recommend doing upper Pima Canyon at all after the fire. I was last in upper Pima Canyon in May of 2015. I much prefer Finger Rock, and after 6 years I more or less remember why. It was still overall good.

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Feb 18 2020

keepmoving

Guides 34
Routes 249
Photos 2,197
Triplogs 592

38 male

Joined Aug 16 2006
Portland, OR

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Feb 18 2020
		keepmoving • Triplogs 592

Hiking	11.60 Miles	4,600 AEG

Hiking	11.60 Miles	6 Hrs 20 Mns		1.83 mph
	4,600 ft AEG		17 LBS Pack

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Did the traverse starting from Pima Canyon. Just as tough, if not tougher, than I remember it being. Had the summit of Mt. Kimball to myself as well as the upper reaches of Pima/Finger Rock Canyons.

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Feb 01 2020

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 183
Photos 5,612
Triplogs 1,647

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Feb 01 2020
		John9L • Triplogs 1,647

Hiking	12.29 Miles	4,387 AEG

Hiking	12.29 Miles	6 Hrs 2 Mns	2.26 mph
	4,387 ft AEG	35 Mns Break

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	chumley	Pivo
	Tough_Boots

This was a fun hike with the crew. We met Pivo and shuttled a car and started in. We made the huge climb and took a long break on the summit. From there it was the long descent and then back to the trailhead. I really enjoyed this hike. You get fairly far up there and the views are outstanding.

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1 archive

Feb 01 2020

chumley

Guides 94
Routes 840
Photos 22,055
Triplogs 1,993

52 male

Joined Sep 18 2002
Tempe, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Feb 01 2020
		chumley • Triplogs 1,993

Hiking	12.29 Miles	4,387 AEG

Hiking	12.29 Miles	6 Hrs 2 Mns	2.26 mph
	4,387 ft AEG	35 Mns Break

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	John9L	Pivo
	Tough_Boots

I had penciled in a superidgeline for the day, but decided that it would end up being warmer than my sensitive nordic parts could handle. So somehow we ended up deciding on this one, which was a new peak for me. We planned to lyftuber the shuttle, but ended up with an even better option. Thanks Pivo! Finger Rock is a solid trail and an enjoyable climb. There were a few patches of snow in the shaded spots up top, but the summit was bare. That's apparently a thing that happens here.

I'd been led to believe that FR was super steep to descend, which is why we opted to go ccw. But the upper half of PC seemed to be crazy steep to me too. The last 2 miles the sun baked on us and I was happy not to be in the western soups. But I'm looking forward to the valley snow in the forecast in a couple of days. Let's have some winter for a bit.

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I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.

1 archive

Feb 01 2020

Pivo

Guides 2
Routes 512
Photos 5,579
Triplogs 4,278

69 male

Joined Mar 01 2009
Aztec, NM

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Feb 01 2020
		Pivo • Triplogs 4,278

Hiking	12.42 Miles	4,775 AEG

Hiking	12.42 Miles	6 Hrs 12 Mns		2.09 mph
	4,775 ft AEG	15 Mns Break	20 LBS Pack

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Linda Vista Saddle

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	chumley	John9L
	Tough_Boots

Chumley reached out needing an "Uber" for the shuttle, and I was in. Always a grueling workout, and perfect weather today too.

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

Light flow

Medium flow

Quart per minute

Light flow

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Mar 16 2019

ShatteredArm

Guides 12
Routes 192
Photos 863
Triplogs 356

42 male

Joined Nov 30 2015
Phoenix, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Run/Jog		Mar 16 2019
		ShatteredArm • Triplogs 356

Run/Jog	12.82 Miles	4,279 AEG

Run/Jog	12.82 Miles	5 Hrs 18 Mns	2.42 mph
	4,279 ft AEG

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This one was a pretty good adventure... Finger Rock to Pima Canyon. Got dropped off at Finger Rock TH in the morning, and headed up. The first mile to the creek crossing was pretty joggable. Then the climbing really started.

A mile or so later of grinding uphill, rounded the corner, and vegetation started changing. Nice views down into the canyon, and it finally feels like you're out of civilization. Hit the juniper forest, and started climbing again. Creeks were all flowing nicely, and the weather was beautiful.

This is one where you're really glad to be at the top, and you want to stay there forever. One of my favorite views in the Pusch Ridge wilderness, but it's a 4,000 climb in 4.5 miles to get there.

The upper reaches of Pima Canyon trail, still in the conifers, had patches of snow. Luckily by the time you start traversing along the top of the cliff, it was dry. I can see this stretch being very sketchy if it's icy. Pima Canyon trail is pretty rough going down, but a lot of fun. Filled up at the old dam or whatever it was, and the rest of the way was nice, but uneventful.

This one would probably be a little easier going up Pima and down Finger, but what's the fun in that? This is an excellent shuttle route, highly recommend.

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Jan 12 2019

fricknaley

Guides 93
Routes 397
Photos 4,984
Triplogs 4,124

49 male

Joined Jun 20 2003
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jan 12 2019
		fricknaley • Triplogs 4,124

Hiking	11.60 Miles	4,562 AEG

Hiking	11.60 Miles	4 Hrs 35 Mns		2.73 mph
	4,562 ft AEG	20 Mns Break	8 LBS Pack

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needed the truth serum only Mt Kimball can deliver, so i left my car at pima canyon and had michelle drive me over to finger rock

nice and cool/cold for the ascent. made good time and hit the summit in 2:06, which is a personal best for me

upper pima canyon blows me away every time i am up there. got off trail a couple times up there, but worked it out well enough.

much needed day of mountain medicine and i reveled in every second of the gnar

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hi

Dec 16 2018

GrottoGirl

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

50 female

Joined Sep 18 2009
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Dec 16 2018
		GrottoGirl • Triplogs 1,634

Hiking	12.57 Miles	4,818 AEG

Hiking	12.57 Miles	8 Hrs 58 Mns	1.64 mph
	4,818 ft AEG	1 Hour 18 Mns Break

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Girls hike!

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Feb 20 2018

MSimmons

Photos 4
Triplogs 62

37 male

Joined Jan 30 2016
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Feb 20 2018
		MSimmons • Triplogs 62

Hiking	11.90 Miles	4,850 AEG

Hiking	11.90 Miles	7 Hrs	1.70 mph
	4,850 ft AEG

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jrousoshammond

With nasty weather bearing down all day we were lucky to avoid any fog or rain on this one. Watching the clouds roll over the top of Cathedral and Lemmon was pretty cool.

Although we chatted on the way up Pima about sheep restrictions with respect to Pusch, Table, and other things, I don't think it occurred to either of us that the side trip to Pima Saddle and the little peak nearby was not kosher. To be honest, the thought of those views (which are even cooler than those from Kimball, in my opinion) makes it a bit difficult to be too regretful...still, I support the sheep project and wont make that mistake again.

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Feb 19 2018

jrousoshammond

Routes 30
Triplogs 186

37 male

Joined May 15 2015
Tucson

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Feb 19 2018
		jrousoshammond • Triplogs 186

Hiking	11.90 Miles	4,850 AEG

Hiking	11.90 Miles
	4,850 ft AEG

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MSimmons

My GPS went haywire on this hike, and rather than pretend that I got 7k+ AEG by teleporting around Finger Rock Canyon, I decided to go with the official route and add a bit for our side-trips to the north side of Pima Saddle and Linda Vista.

Due to bad weather forecasts, we decided to ditch the original plan of doing Rincon Peak for something lower and closer. We had an out-of-town visitor who asked for a big hike, and this wound-up being a success despite ominous clouds lurking the whole time.

This might be my favorite way of doing Kimball... I've yet to ascend from the Ventana side, but my guess is I'd still prefer this traverse.

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2 archives

Feb 19 2016

toddak

Guides 13
Routes 38
Photos 1,651
Triplogs 577

60 male

Joined Nov 15 2005
Jackson, CA

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Feb 19 2016
		toddak • Triplogs 577

Hiking	18.50 Miles	6,500 AEG

Hiking	18.50 Miles	10 Hrs 30 Mns	1.76 mph
	6,500 ft AEG

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Garnet Trail #411

Pontatoc Trail #410

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Did a few warmup miles on the Pontatoc trails, then headed up Finger Rock for the main event. Relentless climb to great views on Kimball. Trails are in good condition with the exception of Pima Canyon between about the 6200' and 5200' elevations where the route drops into a very steep, loose narrow gully with minimal cairns.

Only a few thin patches of snow up high in shaded areas. Finger Rock Canyon is essentially dry. Surprising how much greener Pima Canyon is - seeps in the upper elevations increasing to good flow in the lower canyon.

Bike shuttled between the trailheads.

	Pima Spring	Dripping	Dripping
	clear pool under the concrete box, no outflow

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May 23 2015

Pivo

Guides 2
Routes 512
Photos 5,579
Triplogs 4,278

69 male

Joined Mar 01 2009
Aztec, NM

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		May 23 2015
		Pivo • Triplogs 4,278

Hiking	11.46 Miles	4,656 AEG

Hiking	11.46 Miles	6 Hrs 53 Mns		2.16 mph
	4,656 ft AEG	1 Hour 34 Mns Break	20 LBS Pack

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First time doing this going up Pima Canyon. Perfect weather today, very mild. Met Amy at the Finger Rock TH at 0635 (I was late). She jumped into the Mini and we headed over to the Pima Canyon TH, to start our hike.

Somewhat surprisingly we saw very few hikers out today. Mild weather and a Holiday Weekend I think would bring them out in droves. We took our time, taking breaks for equipment adjustments and snacks for me.
Still didn't see any sheep.

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

Pima Canyon

Pools to trickle

Pima Spring

Dripping

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May 17 2015

Jim

Guides 73
Routes 176
Photos 10,174
Triplogs 2,324

46 male

Joined Sep 08 2006

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		May 17 2015
		Jim • Triplogs 2,324

Hiking	11.60 Miles	4,600 AEG

Hiking	11.60 Miles	9 Hrs 30 Mns		1.55 mph
	4,600 ft AEG	2 Hrs Break	15 LBS Pack

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Baja Arizona Hiking

Unexpected late season pleasant temps in the high 80s , and not near 100, required hiking in the front range by doing a respectably large hike. This is a great way to hike both canyons, and Kimball is always a great summit. Great summit, lots of birds, some wildlife, and nice time near sunset in Pima Canyon. I didn't see any poison Ivy in Pima Canyon, and I didn't notice the almost washed out section of trail, but I was tired. Really nice day. Added some extra AEG by getting off trail, as I seem to often do on Pima.

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Up higher, hardly much.

	Pima Canyon	Pools to trickle	Pools to trickle
	Very light flow.

	Pima Spring	Dripping	Dripping
	Some water in the house that can be filtered.

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Sep 14 2014

GrottoGirl

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

50 female

Joined Sep 18 2009
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Sep 14 2014
		GrottoGirl • Triplogs 1,634

Hiking	11.60 Miles	4,600 AEG

Hiking	11.60 Miles	12 Hrs	0.97 mph
	4,600 ft AEG

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RedwallNHops

We joined a caving friend who is writing a hiking book. He has a condition that causes him not to be able to go uphill really fast. So it took us a long time to do this hike. Water was in Finer Rock canyon. Pima was amazingly green and lush. I'm not sure I've ever seen so much water running over the dams. The upper part of Pima was a fun challenge for route finding due to the grasses obscuring the trail. Good things come to those who wait (patiently). We got to hike out in the cool late afternoon/early evening. We were also treated to a great sunset.

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Sep 14 2014

RedwallNHops

Guides 1
Routes 269
Photos 613
Triplogs 1,360

50 male

Joined Dec 22 2003
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Sep 14 2014
		RedwallNHops • Triplogs 1,360

Hiking	11.60 Miles	4,600 AEG

Hiking	11.60 Miles	12 Hrs	0.97 mph
	4,600 ft AEG

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12 hours.......yes it took us 12 hours....ugh

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Apr 27 2014

Pivo

Guides 2
Routes 512
Photos 5,579
Triplogs 4,278

69 male

Joined Mar 01 2009
Aztec, NM

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Apr 27 2014
		Pivo • Triplogs 4,278

Hiking	11.59 Miles	4,872 AEG

Hiking	11.59 Miles	7 Hrs 12 Mns		2.08 mph
	4,872 ft AEG	1 Hour 38 Mns Break	20 LBS Pack

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Baja Arizona Hiking

GrottoGirl

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

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Apr 27 2014

GrottoGirl

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

50 female

Joined Sep 18 2009
Tucson, AZ