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| | | Rucker Benchmark Chiricahuas, AZ | | | |
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Rucker Benchmark Chiricahuas, AZ
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| Hiking | 5.56 Miles |
1,581 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.56 Miles | 5 Hrs 11 Mns | | 1.51 mph |
| 1,581 ft AEG | 1 Hour 30 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | After camping after hiking Castle Dome, I drove up Leslie Canyon Rd to Rucker Canyon Rd and turned right. I drove to the trailhead and parked at the pullout on the right side of the road.
This was day 3 of my 3 day hiking trip. It was a bit breezy and warm on a hot day down in the low desert. Based on Wade Luther's trip report, I was thrilled to find out this hike was all trail. After 2 days of doing off trail hikes, I was ready for a nice trail. I started on the trail and noticed it was maintained very well. It was the hottest day of the 3 days and I was excited to see that there were pines and oaks, shading the trail. The trail started off following the canyon. There was evidence of cattle in the area. I saw only a few lizards on the way up.
After hiking about 1.55 miles, I reached Bruno saddle. There were some posts here but no sign. Up ahead was a primitive gate and it looked like a trail continued from here, perhaps going to Bruno peak. I turned left at the saddle and followed a very well-maintained trail up toward the Rucker BM. There were some switchbacks and at times the trail was quite steep but it was obvious that a lot of work was put into the trail. Along the way, I stopped to take a water and snack break in the trees.
I kept following the trail and it eventually led me to the top of the ridgeline. From the top of the ridgeline, I had less than 1/4 mile to get to the summit, but the grade at this point was very low. Near the summit, I needed to step over a low barbed wire fence. There was a huge candelabra cactus near the top and a rock pile near it. I had nice views of the Chiricahua mountains to the East.
I found a small snapple jar in the summit rock pile with some registry pages. There were only 4 registry pages going back to 1992. Most of the entries were newer which led me to believe that the trail going to the top was only recent in the last 5-10 yrs. Amy said she didn't remember a trail going to the top.
After signing the registry, I noticed that I had 5G and 4G signal at times near the summit. I was surprised to have any signal here since the nearest towns were 15 miles away I believe.
On the way down I took a similar route. I searched for a trail to Bruno peak and found a few possible options. I didn't have enough time on this trip to hike Bruno peak but I could always come back another time.
Trees, plants, and flowers seen: Oak trees, toumey oak, juniper, pine, manzanita, agave, yucca, fleabane, prairie clover, etc.
All in all it was fantastic hike with an outstanding trail!
Stats:
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Distance (round trip): 5.56 miles
AEG: 1,581 feet
Strava moving time: 3 hrs 1 min
Strava elapsed time: 5 hrs 11 mins
Driving Directions:
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Drive is about 2 hrs 30 mins from Tucson, AZ
Use Google Maps to navigate to Devil's canyon #237 trailhead
or...
Take I-10 East toward Benson
Note: Your exit will be around 12-14 miles East of Benson, AZ.
Follow I-10 E to E Dragoon Rd in Cochise County. Take exit 318 from I-10 E.
Turn right onto E Dragoon Rd, continue for 15 min (13.0 mi)
Turn right onto US-191 S, continue for 25 min (26.2 mi)
Turn left onto N Rucker Canyon Rd, continue for roughly 21 miles to the trailhead.
There is a pullout on the right side of the road with room for a few cars.
Devil's Canyon (#237) Trailhead
E Rucker Canyon Rd, Douglas, AZ 85607 |
| _____________________
Michael Williams
IT Professional
Rocky Point Vacation Rentals
Ocean Front Condo in Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico
www.beachfrontmexico.us
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