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2 triplogs
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Jul 17 2019
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 Guides 1
 Routes 136
 Photos 22,415
 Triplogs 1,041

77 male
 Joined Feb 28 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Leslie Canyon TrailTucson, AZ
Leslie Canyon Trail
Tucson, AZ
Scenic Drive avatar Jul 17 2019
rwstorm • Triplogs 1,041
Scenic Drive
Scenic Drive
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
A friend asked me about the state of the campgrounds in the Rucker Canyon area of the southern Chiricahua Mountains, so I decided to do a nice day trip down that way to check things out (I was last in there in 2012). One of the reasons I don't go there to camp much anymore is because of the rather long 25 mile dirt road drive, some of it through highly flood prone sections along Whitewater Draw. For today's trip I decided to go in by way of Leslie Canyon north of Douglas. I took Davis Road from near Tombstone all the way over to US 191. Davis Road continues east of 191, becomes a dirt road, and eventually connects with the Leslie Canyon Road. From there I headed north through the NWR and on up to the intersection with the Rucker Canyon Road along Whitewater Draw. There are some scenic spots as you pass through the Pedregosa Mountains and along the rolling hills of ranching country as you work north to Rucker Road. I left home early, since I didn't want to get caught deep back in those flood prone areas in case the phantom monsoon actually decided to make a real appearance. :lol:
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Informational/Interpretive Sign
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Castle Dome  Leslie Canyon  Pedregosa Mountains  Swisshelm Mountains
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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Nov 13 2014
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 Guides 1
 Routes 1
 Photos 64
 Triplogs 12

44 male
 Joined Sep 30 2014
 Borderlands, AZ
Leslie Canyon TrailTucson, AZ
Leslie Canyon Trail
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 13 2014
BenTelly • Triplogs 12
Hiking1.47 Miles 215 AEG
Hiking1.47 Miles
215 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I was heading home from a meeting at Chiricahua National Monument and I was looking for a trail that I could complete before it got dark. The Leslie Canyon Trail seemed like the best candidate. 3 miles roundtrip, up and back in a bit over an hour. It was a tease of a hike but it's always better to be hiking than not. Even when time and conditions aren't ideal.

Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge is located in the southern hills of the Swisshelm Mountains. The refuge was established in 1988 to provide protection for the Yaqui chub, Yaqui topminnow, and the Chiricahua leopard frog. The trail is easily found as the refuge is quite small (at least the east-west margin). I drove south on highway 191 to the town of McNeal, hung a left (east) on Davis Rd and followed the paved, and graded dirt road for 9 miles to the turnoff for Leslie Canyon (signed). Another 2 miles put me in the refuge and it was a short drive further to the very small parking area and trailhead. The parking area accommodates about two vehicles but there it is possible to park on the road without blocking traffic.

The trail follows Leslie Creek north north-west through the canyon along an old mining two-track. The trail is mainly in desert scrub and the catclaw and mesquite thorns were abundant. At about the one mile mark the trail crosses Leslie Creek and heads northeast into the hills. There are remains on an old mining claim here - a concrete foundation, an old stone foundation, and other mining paraphernalia. The creek is the home of Chiricahua leopard frog tadpoles and the endangered fish species mentioned previously. The southern extent of Leslie Creek (south of the trailhead and road) is closed to protect the riparian habitat.

BT
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Leslie Creek
foliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observation
Autumn Foliage Observation Light
AZ Walnut and Cottonwoods in Leslie Creek

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water less than maxwater less than max Leslie Canyon Light flow Light flow
Light flow near the Leslie Canyon TH, dry at the trail crossing.
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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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