Box Camp - Palisade Loop • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Apr 22 2023

ShatteredArm

Guides 12
Routes 192
Photos 863
Triplogs 356

42 male

Joined Nov 30 2015
Phoenix, AZ

Box Camp - Palisade Loop

Tucson, AZ

Box Camp - Palisade Loop

Tucson, AZ

Run/Jog		Apr 22 2023
		ShatteredArm • Triplogs 356

Run/Jog	15.97 Miles	4,635 AEG

Run/Jog	15.97 Miles	6 Hrs 14 Mns	2.76 mph
	4,635 ft AEG	27 Mns Break

no routes

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Box Camp Trail #22

Palisade Trail #99

East Fork Trail #24A

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Decided I wanted to finish Box Camp trail before it gets ridiculously hot, so headed up to Bigelow TH for a 9am start on the Palisade/Box Camp loop. Figured this would allow for a start up Box Camp no too much later than 11am. Upper part of Palisade had some signs of fire, but most of the large trees are intact, and the damage is mostly to fire-hardened vegetation (shrubs). Parts of it were somewhat overgrown in the upper stretches.

Around about Mud Spring, the trail started showing obvious signs of Eric and Co's handiwork. Outside of just a couple of short stretches (work in progress I think), the trail from Mud Spring all the way down to East Fork is an absolute breeze. Now is probably the time to check out Palisades if you don't like wading through grass.

Ran into a couple of trail runners on East Fork, only people I had seen all day. And they recognized me. Think they might have been at one of the trail work outings.

Took 2 hours, 15 minutes to get to the bottom of Box Camp. First 3/4 mile is in great shape (because we cleared it a couple weeks ago), but after that it's the whole wading through grass thing. Didn't really mind it since it was ridiculously steep. Temperature wasn't too bad, sun was hot but when there was a breeze it felt cool. Had to sit down and take a break pretty much every mile on this stretch, my lungs just aren't used to the pace I hike at anymore. Some flowing water in one of the side drainages (near Apache Spring, but not from the spring) provided some nice cool relief.

Eventually, I started seeing hikers, and figured the worst was over. The rest of Box Camp trail is just pleasant. Took something like 3.5 hours to go from one end to the other, it was ridiculous. Probably 80% of the effort was in the first 3.5 miles. I loved the trail, though, in spite of the difficulty (or maybe partly because of it).

Originally had designs to complete the loop by going over Mt Bigelow, but Box Camp is the sort of trail where when completing it, you don't want to do anything else that's not absolutely necessary. Would've gladly accepted a ride back to Bigelow TH had someone at Box Camp TH offered...

	East Fork Sabino Canyon	Light flow	Light flow
	Dry at Palisade Trail, flowing at Box Camp trail.

	Mud Spring	Dripping	Dripping
	Seeping as is usual. Better flow can currently be found nearby in Pine Canyon.

	Pine Canyon	Light flow	Light flow
	Light flow in the higher stretches near Palisade Trail.

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May 11 2021

fricknaley

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

49 male

Joined Jun 20 2003
Tucson, AZ

Box Camp - Palisade Loop

Tucson, AZ

Box Camp - Palisade Loop

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		May 11 2021
		fricknaley • Triplogs 4,124

Hiking	16.00 Miles	4,501 AEG

Hiking	16.00 Miles	5 Hrs 39 Mns		2.96 mph
	4,501 ft AEG	15 Mns Break	12 LBS Pack

Linked

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Box Camp Trail #22

East Fork Trail #24A

Palisade Trail #99

Partners

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one of the few long hikes open up there. i parked at palisade TH and ran up organization ridge road and catalina highway to the box camp TH.

the forested section of box camp is more than half burnt. the middle section clearly sees little traffic and there are manzanita growing over a few key narrow sections. will be hard to pass before too much longer in a couple spots.

easy mile on east fork.

the lower and mid part of palisade is in good shape. up higher where the trees normally start is mostly nuked until the last mile or so.

beautiful weather and i had a good time out there. have not done this loop in a long time. probably can't recommend it though, unless you are a catalina die hard. lot of fire damage

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hi

May 30 2010

fricknaley

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

49 male

Joined Jun 20 2003
Tucson, AZ

Box Camp - Palisade Loop

Tucson, AZ

Box Camp - Palisade Loop

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		May 30 2010
		fricknaley • Triplogs 4,124

Hiking	15.60 Miles	4,775 AEG

Hiking	15.60 Miles	7 Hrs	2.23 mph
	4,775 ft AEG

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After several weeks of just getting mercilessly crushed at work, i really wanted to go out and get crushed by some hike in the catalinas. so i picked this one in hundred degree weather...that ought to do the job, right?

box camp is in very good shape all the way down. of note, the forest service has removed the sign at the intersection for Box Spring. probably wise as the trail is totally gone anyway. things are drying up quickly in sabino basin, just a trickle of water in the east fork. palisade seemed about the same as the last time i was out there, a little brushy but good enough.

took about 145 oz of water and gatorade and drank it all, plus a cold pepsi my parents gave me as they drove by on the catalina highway while i was completing the loop back to my car, a random and delicious coincidence to finish off the day.

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hi

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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