Ditch Mountain 6443 - Santa Ritas • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Mar 20 2024

Layne32

Photos 18
Triplogs 3

male

Joined Jan 08 2023

Santa Rita Loop, AZ

Backpack		Mar 20 2024
		Layne32 • Triplogs 3

Backpack	30.00 Miles

Backpack	30.00 Miles	4 Days

no routes

Linked

8 linked trail guides

Santa Rita Mountains - AZT #5

Ditch Mountain 6443 - Santa Ritas

Gardner Canyon Trail #143

Walker Basin Trail #136 - Santa Rita Mountains

Super Trail #134

Crest Trail #144 - Santa Rita Mtns

East Sawmill Canyon Trail #146

Greaterville Trail #79

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I got a lot of great help from user Jim_H to make my first visits to the Santa Ritas (this is my first triplog here, not sure if we can tag other users). I did 2 backpacks in a week there after bailing on my first trip due to getting caught in "severe gale force" winds and driving snow (Mar 14-15) at Baldy Saddle. My tent got blown down and I had to cowboy camp in 50+ mph sustained winds & sub-freezing temps. This report is mostly from my second trip.

AZT / Ditch Mountain
Be warned: the only commercially available map for the Santa Ritas (Green Trail Maps) shows the wrong location of the AZT, as does CalTopo. That caused problems for me on my first trip. Second trip I followed the old AZT routing starting from Apache Springs TH - down the Forest Road to Ditch Mountain Trail. Camped near Bear Spring.

Walker Basin / Gardner Canyon
Good climbs on these trails to go from the foothills of the Santa Ritas to the Crest. I didn't start to see snow on the trail until the upper reaches of Gardner Cyn Tr (~8000'). Looking around at north-facing slopes showed the snow level starting ~6500'.

Super Trail
The stretch of Super Tr from Gardner Cyn to Baldy Saddle was mostly snow covered. Fortunately the snow was still cold and hard-packed (Mar 21) so I was not post-holing. Another good climb, ~500' over a half mile. I didn't attempt Wrightson, it was completely snow covered, but some day hikers were doing it. Camped on a little exposed knoll above Baldy Saddle with great views - the same spot I got stormed out of a few days before.

Crest
Most of the Crest Tr was snow covered but it was entirely passable. I carried traction devices but didn't need them the whole trip. Snow was still cold and hard-packed (Mar 22) so I was not post-holing. As with all Sky Island crests - incredible views with many mountain ranges in the distance (Huachucas, Whetstones, Patagonias, Rincons, Catalinas, etc.)

East Sawmill Canyon
After Crest this was my second favorite Trail of the hike. Starts off a little confusingly by continuing to rise along the Santa Rita crest before dropping into East Sawmill Cyn. Beautiful forests up top, tight canyon in the middle, desert scrubland at the end.

Greaterville
My map showed the beginning and end points of this trail as about the same elevation so I thought it was going to be a mostly flat walk. Nope. Goes straight up a ridge then straight back down the other side. Greaterville Tr links to FR 165 which I took until connecting back with the AZT.

AZT
Road walk for a bit to Kentucky Camp where I stayed the night. Better camping back along the AZT than here at KY but there was water at KY. Finished up the trip along the AZT back to Apache Springs TH.

All in all the Santa Ritas were a great place to backpack. Trail system very nice and no problems navigating. Water was flowing everywhere except Baldy Spring which was covered in snow. Thanks again to Jim_H.

Apr 20 2023

Mike_W

Guides 104
Routes 256
Photos 16,118
Triplogs 528

53 male

Joined Dec 30 2005
Tucson, AZ

Ditch Mountain 6443 - Santa Ritas

Tucson, AZ

Ditch Mountain 6443 - Santa Ritas

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Apr 20 2023
		Mike_W • Triplogs 528

Hiking	8.20 Miles	1,660 AEG

Hiking	8.20 Miles	5 Hrs	1.64 mph
	1,660 ft AEG

Linked

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no linked trail guides

Partners

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I first heard about this area when I saw a sign high way up on Baldy saddle, I believe. I believe the sign said something to the effect of "Ditch mountain -- 8 miles". It's a shorter hike from either the Cave Creek Trailhead or the Tunnel Spring Trailhead. Tim and I decided to park at the Cave Creek Trailhead. We took what's called the Link trail for roughly 1.75 miles which went up a trail and then down a road, ended at the Tunnel Spring Trailhead. From here this was the junction of the Arizona trail. We took that trail West and South. The Arizona trail was very well maintained and we made great time on this trail. After hiking a total of 3.5 miles from the parking area, we got on the ridgeline that was North and East of the peak and followed that up. There were some steep areas, but also a lot of shade under the oak and pine trees. There were some areas of thick dirt where you would take a 2 foot step UP and slide half of the distance back down again. But overall, the bushwhack was fairly easy and only 0.6 miles to the top. From the peak, there were great views of Mt Wrightson, Mt Ian, Josephine peak, and Peak 8853, we believed. We simply reversed the route on the way down.

We saw one long distance backpacker who said he was hiking the entire Arizona trail. We also saw a few other hikers in the morning on the AZT, and some guys out just riding a 4x4 jeep. We finished this hike around 3:15 pm and had the time to do something else short in the area.

AEG = 1,660 feet

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Informational/Interpretive Sign Trail Signs and Markings

_____________________

Michael Williams
IT Professional
Rocky Point Vacation Rentals
Ocean Front Condo in Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico
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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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