Ladybug Trail #329 • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jun 29 2025
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	3.50 Miles	500 AEG

Hiking	3.50 Miles
	500 ft AEG

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Ladybug trail down to where the Jacobson Fire was a month ago.
Fire scar was not too bad at just 8 acres.
Minimal trail damage.
A bit of slurry down the rock walls.
Veach Canyon looked awesome to the south!
Started at 4:30am and was done by 7am.

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Jun 28 2024

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jun 28 2024
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	2.50 Miles	200 AEG

Hiking	2.50 Miles
	200 ft AEG

no routes

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John's Dam

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Plan was a swim at John's Dam/Jacobson Canyon.
Both were bone dry, not even a puddle.
Plan B was Dry Canyon.
Took it up to the climbing wall.
Good creek flow up here and had some light rain.
Added a plan C with a short hike down to Jacobson Creek via Ladybug Trail.
Just chilled by the water.
Fun afternoon.

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Nov 13 2023

cactuscat

Routes 85
Photos 3,718
Triplogs 486

female

Joined Oct 15 2002
Rimrock, Arizona

[ checklist ] Jacobson Creek - Pinalenos Pinaleno Mountains

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Nov 13 2023
		cactuscat • Triplogs 486

Hiking	4.47 Miles	1,261 AEG

Hiking	4.47 Miles	3 Hrs 24 Mns	1.71 mph
	1,261 ft AEG	47 Mns Break

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Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

After Adams Flat on Saturday, I couldn't wait to return and hike the lower portion of Ladybug - something I've never done in almost eight years of hiking on Mt. Graham.
What a great trail! It was so nice that it just kept drawing me up and up, almost to the main part of Veach Ridge before I took a nice break and turned around.
The mountain bike group has done some fantastic work, and even though I don't really ride trails like that - I want to try it now!

I also enjoyed the Riparian area of Jacobson Creek at the crossing, too. More nice Fall color there.
Saw zero people on the trail (on a Monday) - just plenty of bike tire tracks and some footprints ... also a good variety of animal tracks in the soft dirt - some of which were added just in the hour or two between me going up and coming back down.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Puffball and Earthstar Mushrooms

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Velvet Ant

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

Autumn Foliage Observation Isolated

Light flow

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May 23 2023

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Round the Mountain Campground

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		May 23 2023
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	8.10 Miles	760 AEG

Hiking	8.10 Miles
	760 ft AEG

no routes

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Ladybug Peak 8780

Jacobson Sawmill

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AddSanz

Ladybug Trail top to bottom ... Finally

We set up a shuttle leaving one vehicle at Angle Orchard and driving up to Ladybug Saddle.
We first bagged Ladybug Peak. There was a new register up there and about a hundred or so ladybugs.
Then down #329 we went-
Outstanding trail and one of the very few trails that was spared by the Frye Fire.
This trail has it all as you descend the 3500 ft down from the pines to the upper desert.
Beautiful forest, great overlooks, cool rock formations, lot's of blooming cactus and a good flowing creek at the bottom. Sky Island weather was chilly on top and hot at the bottom

A short hike up to Angle Orchard and drive back up to Ladybug Saddle ended our day together.
Addie drove back down and home as I stayed on the mountain for a bit more.
I had time for a quick sunset hike down to Cluff Dairy then a fire and pick me up coffee at RTM CG before heading home.
Great day on the mountain with my buddy, in fact ... top 3 favorite hike of this 2023!

Wildflowers Observation Light
Lot's of blooming Leding's hedgehog cactus on the lower trail.

Medium flow

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May 13 2023

Routes 2
Photos 99
Triplogs 24

male

Joined Mar 29 2022
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		May 13 2023
		gordee151 • Triplogs 24

Hiking	4.00 Miles	2,000 AEG

Hiking	4.00 Miles	3 Hrs		1.33 mph
	2,000 ft AEG		25 LBS Pack

no routes

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SDMB Trail Work Report from May 13th, 2023. 5 Volunteers spent 5 hours working on upper Ladybug. We hiked in about 1 mile down from the Turkey Flat trail intersection. We worked on 5 corners in the pines that have become too narrow and sharp lending users to cut corners. 4 out of the 5 corners were drastically improved. One corner while opened up is wedged between two trees with a steep downhill left. The goal is to make most harsh corners fun to rollable by opening up/better lining the approach, widening the corner pocket itself then opening up the exit. We test rode the work the next day and it's a marked improvement on the rider experience. Trail is running well but starting to get brush re growth in sun exposed areas. Go use it! Use is work!

Want to get involved with trail work?
↓ See my signature below ↓

_____________________

Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists
Mt Graham Volunteer Trail Work Coordinator
Want to volunteer? Email: communications@sdmb.org
Instagram @sdmb_mtb

Apr 21 2023

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Apr 21 2023
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	2.00 Miles	200 AEG

Hiking	2.00 Miles
	200 ft AEG

no routes

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Checking snow melt flow.
Both Wet Canyon and Jacobson creeks flowing strong.

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Apr 08 2023

Routes 2
Photos 99
Triplogs 24

male

Joined Mar 29 2022
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Apr 08 2023
		gordee151 • Triplogs 24

Hiking	3.00 Miles	500 AEG

Hiking	3.00 Miles
	500 ft AEG

no routes

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SDMB Trail Work Report from April 8th, 2023. 3 Volunteers spent around 5 hours .8miles in from Angle Orchard working sections to re-bench and round out harsh corners. After work we shuttled from Turkey Flat Down. Overall trail is riding well but there is a section about 1.5 miles down from TF junction where some persistent high grass needs to be grubbed out. Several corners in the piney sections of trail need to be made wider and the tread needs to be re-benched as it's crept into the edge. Plan to tackle these bits Memorial Day Weekend 2023 with a group work event based out of Arcadia Group Camp.

Want to get involved with trail work?
↓ See my signature below ↓

_____________________

Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists
Mt Graham Volunteer Trail Work Coordinator
Want to volunteer? Email: communications@sdmb.org
Instagram @sdmb_mtb

3 archives

Apr 02 2023

Routes 2
Photos 99
Triplogs 24

male

Joined Mar 29 2022
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Apr 02 2023
		gordee151 • Triplogs 24

Hiking	4.20 Miles	2,700 AEG

Hiking	4.20 Miles
	2,700 ft AEG

no routes

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SDMB Trail Work Report from March 31-April 2 2023.

Bottom Line: Ladybug down from Turkey Flat is clear of dead fall and in decent shape for early season. It's a back country trail being steadily improved. There will be moments you need to carry your bike around certain corners awaiting improvement.

Detail Report:

Friday
Ladybug from Turkey Flat down is free of downed trees from 3 volunteers riding through with saws and clippers to scout.. We cut out or moved 4-5 less than 8 inches in diameter down trees. There are intermittent snow patches on the north facing slopes of Turkey Flat trail pushing users out to the edge. The snow on Turkey Flat Trail should be gone by mid April.

Saturday
4 volunteers hiked from Angle Orchard on Ladybug. Two volunteers spent 4 hours clearing out the path down to the creek which had bad sight lines, stray rocks and re establishing drains. Two other volunteers hiked into the .7 mile mark, from Angle Orchard, and worked a few hundred feet of trail that was creeping back in. They spent four hours re-benching and re establishing grade reversals leading into drains.

4 other volunteers road through down from Turkey Flat to the Orchard. They started trimming overgrown brush around the 2 mile mark which is the furthest point form either end one would need to hike. So, we had cyclists pack in loppers and hand saws to make the access quicker and FUN.

Sunday: A single volunteer spent 4hours re-benching and repairing drains at that same .7mile mark in from Angle Orchard on lower Ladybug.

Want to get involved with trail work?
↓ See my signature below ↓

_____________________

Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists
Mt Graham Volunteer Trail Work Coordinator
Want to volunteer? Email: communications@sdmb.org
Instagram @sdmb_mtb

2 archives

Jan 24 2023

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jan 24 2023
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	1.00 Miles	200 AEG

Hiking	1.00 Miles
	200 ft AEG

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Just a bit down the lower Ladybug Trail for a day camp next to the creek.
Had a nice time, more snow down there than expected and that was OK.

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Oct 14 2022

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Angle Orchard, AZ

Hiking		Oct 14 2022
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	3.00 Miles	200 AEG

Hiking	3.00 Miles
	200 ft AEG

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Roper Lake State Park

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Made my last apple run of the year down to Angle Orchard before they close next week.
Hiked the outer loop and came back with 8 pounds of 4 varieties.
I then made the short hike down to Jacobson Creek via Ladybug trail.
Enjoyed the good creek flow with a hot coffee, sycamores looked fall awesome down there.
On the way home I made a stop at Roper Lake to drop off some apples and hang out with a friend.
T'was a good afternoon/evening.

Autumn Foliage Observation Light

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

Medium flow

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Aug 12 2022

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Angle Orchard, AZ

Hiking		Aug 12 2022
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	2.50 Miles	200 AEG

Hiking	2.50 Miles
	200 ft AEG

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Needed some hiking apples ...
Parked at Ladybug TH and hiked down to the orchard.
Wow, have never seen the orchard so green and full of apples & peaches!
It's always a beautiful hike through there and along the way I picked my Gala's, the only apples ready right now.
From the orchard I could hear water flowing down Jacobson Canyon so I added the first part of Ladybug Trail down to the creek. Sat by the creek, ate an apple then headed back up satisfied with my trip out.
Angle Orchard 1922-2022, 100 years!

Light flow

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May 13 2022

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		May 13 2022
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	4.00 Miles	750 AEG

Hiking	4.00 Miles
	750 ft AEG

no routes

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Did lower Ladybug up from Angle Orchard.
Arrived at the TH parking area to see that it has been redone. Much bigger and smoother now ... cool!
Started by hiking down to Jacobson Creek. Very lush and green down there but, not much water flow.
Then up the trail in 90+ temps. I had cold water, sunscreen, sun hat, etc ... but really struggled on the climb up. My body is just not quite ready for the AZ heat yet

I made it up to the first pines then back down.
This is a great scenic trail! One of my Pinaleno Favs. I'll be back to finish more when I see snow

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

Light flow

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Apr 30 2022

RockinronnieF

Routes 15
Photos 128
Triplogs 16

male

Joined Mar 20 2022
Safford, Arizona

A 14 Hour Bear Canyon Up and Down, AZ

Hiking		Apr 30 2022
		RockinronnieF • Triplogs 16

Hiking	12.37 Miles	4,064 AEG

Hiking	12.37 Miles	14 Hrs 21 Mns		1.25 mph
	4,064 ft AEG	4 Hrs 29 Mns Break	15 LBS Pack

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Bear Canyon Trail #299

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Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

There are three important highpoints when considering Bear Canyon on Mt Graham's east side. One the footpath is smooth terrain,virtually no rocky paths, top to bottom.(2) There is a trail.(3)the R/T Will not take you 14 hours!! I started late, walked out in dark, don't do that.
There is a safe pull off for your vehicle right off 266. There was a full mile of meandering juniper flatland, which I like in a hike. Then baboom you are swallowed up in the cut peak filled canyon all around you. Views to East of the little known range. The Bear C hike,this area, is not forgiving of bush wacking.. So, take the time, nail down the trail. You will be shined on by the radiant Eastern Sun all the way to 7500 but kind of on your back . So soon, this climb will not be advisable (this is May 1.)
This hike is a very doable day hike for serious hikers, but start early of course. The creme de la creme is the last 1000 feet. All smooth footed full shaded pine forest, and not steep. Bear sign is for sure.We need more foot traffic here, so consider invitation sent.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Bear Canyon Greasewood Mountain

	Bear Canyon	Dry	Dry
	Magnificent visually

1 archive

Mar 26 2022

Routes 2
Photos 99
Triplogs 24

male

Joined Mar 29 2022
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Mar 26 2022
		gordee151 • Triplogs 24

Hiking	5.00 Miles	2,600 AEG

Hiking	5.00 Miles	2 Hrs	2.50 mph
	2,600 ft AEG

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This hike was from Angle Orchard up to Turkey Flat Trail Junction and then down to Turkey Flat. We shuttled back to Angle Orchard. There was a tiny bit of snow on Veach Ridge and on Turkey Flat Trail. In general the trail is in decent shape post 2021 monsoon and winter storms. We actually moved two down trees just as you are leaving Veach Ridge and and heading back up slope toward Turkey Flat.

The lower mile of trail in from Angle Orchard has received some tread work. Some drains have been fixed in the first 1/4 mile in from the TH. After the creek crossing there is a 200ft section of trail that was severely braided and full of loose boulders that was re-aligned, drains fixed and benched for bett5er sustainability. The next 1.5 miles up from here the trail is a bit boulder strewn and grass from the monsoon. The south side of Veach Ridge is also fairly grassy. Angle to Turkey Flat junction was completely brushed out by SDMB volunteers in 2021.

Some manzanita and oak have started to grow back in but overall not bad. This is a great hike with amazing views of the High Pinalenos from the north side and the Dutch Henry Area from the South Side of Veach Ridge. If I'm corrrect the lower 2.5 miles climbs about 1500ft. Once on Veach Ridge you climb the next 1100ft over the remaining 2.5 miles. It's a little more relaxed. Veach Ridge a great place to see a bear. Saw one in May 2021. Before I saw him I saw all of his red manzanita diet scat on the trail.

Want to get involved with trail work?
↓ See my signature below ↓

_____________________

Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists
Mt Graham Volunteer Trail Work Coordinator
Want to volunteer? Email: communications@sdmb.org
Instagram @sdmb_mtb

1 archive

Feb 07 2022

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Feb 07 2022
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	2.00 Miles	300 AEG

Hiking	2.00 Miles
	300 ft AEG

no routes

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Just a shorty down Ladybug and up the canyon a bit.
Set up a day camp for a hammock hang, coffee & waterfall sounds.
Great animal day - Coati across the trail on the hike down, 2 white tails at the creek, several more coaties encountered in the canyon & a third deer hiking out.
Creek flow was good, still a lot of ice around the waterfalls.

Light flow

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Oct 04 2021

Yoder

Guides 8
Routes 70
Photos 3,208
Triplogs 273

59 male

Joined Oct 07 2017
Chandler, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Oct 04 2021
		Yoder • Triplogs 273

Hiking	12.20 Miles	4,200 AEG

Hiking	12.20 Miles	7 Hrs 7 Mns		2.17 mph
	4,200 ft AEG	1 Hour 30 Mns Break	10 LBS Pack

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We decided we would take a few days and check out South East Arizona. First major stop was Safford, in the Mount Graham Study Area. After investigation, it looked like Ladybug Trail #329 would be a challenging but good hike. It came through on both accounts. Although I will say that the end of the hike really didn't have much to it as far as views are concerned, it's just an intersection of other hikes. I would recommend turning back at about 5.4 miles into the hike.

Its a lot of elevation gain, but I think the trail is engendered very well, it reminded me of the Barnhart trail in that the elevation gain doesn't seem to be nearly as much work as most hikes. Although it's still a 4,200' gain. so we were still exhausted by the time we were done.

In sections there were a lot of small flys, about 3x the size of knats and about 1/3 the size of a normal fly, they didn't bite but were constantly flying around your head.

If you are in the area, a good hike to get some good views.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Abert's Squirrel Plateau Spiny Lizard

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

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J. Yoder

Feb 01 2021

Swift Trail (State Hwy 366)

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Swift Trail (State Hwy 366)

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Feb 01 2021
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	3.00 Miles	350 AEG

Hiking	3.00 Miles
	350 ft AEG

no routes

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Round the Mountain Campground

Noon Creek Trail #302A

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First drove up the mountain to 7000 feet to see the snow. Turned around just before the cabins as the road was getting a little bit too snowy & slushy for me.
Next down the mountain, I parked along the Swift Trail and hiked to the ladybug TH via Angle Orchard Road. I then made the short hike down to Jacobson Creek and rested for a bit before hiking out and back up to the Swift Trail. This was the first big test for my surgically repaired shoulder. Have not wore a full pack in almost 5 months and had zero problems with it on this short hike!
I then spent a few hours at the RTM Campground with first another short hike down to Noon Creek followed by dinner and a campfire at sunset.
It was a very good day for me up there, more to follow ...

Light flow

Noon Creek

Light flow

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Apr 27 2020

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Apr 27 2020
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	1.50 Miles	500 AEG

Hiking	1.50 Miles
	500 ft AEG

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Up Turkey Flat and a bit of the Ladybug Trail west.
Always a beautiful trail and as a bonus I met another hiker.

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Jul 09 2019

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Ladybug Trail #329, AZ

Hiking		Jul 09 2019
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	12.35 Miles	4,106 AEG

Hiking	12.35 Miles	8 Hrs 5 Mns		2.15 mph
	4,106 ft AEG	2 Hrs 21 Mns Break	15 LBS Pack

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I have not been out for almost a month, My mind was willing but my body wouldn't cooperate. After a month it appears they are back in sync. I decided on the Pinaleno Mountains this time. I have not been to these mountains since the mid 60's when my father took me bear hunting with a couple of his friends. I don't remember much about the mountain except there were probably more trees on it then and the red squirrel wasn't keeping us off the peak. I do remember getting apples at the Angle Orchard.

On with the hike. Saw this write up on HAZ and decided this one sounded interesting. Checked the weather and it wasn't going to be blazing hot so I went for it. This is a steady uphill climb the whole way with occasional dips along the ridge as you pass from one minor peak to another. Since this is a ridge trail the views are great along the way. The trail is easy to follow but will need some pruning in areas as some of the brush is encroaching on the trail. I had planned on adding a couple extra miles to the end of the hike by going up Jacobson Canyon and return to Noon Creek then back to Angle Orchard to make this a 16 mile hike. Turns out the 12 miles of the Ladybug trail and the 97 degree temperatures on the lower end of the trail was more than enough for me. Will have to visit the other lower trails as the weather cools. Ran into a bear as I was descending near ladybug Peak. We both came to a switchback at the very same time and it immediately took off into the woods. I hate it when people cut switchbacks, guess I can make an exception for bears. Besides I don't know the protocol when passing a bear on the trail. Do they have the right of way? Thought about Jimmy Buffet and the story "That's when I meet the bear"

From what I saw of this trail and the surrounding area, I will have to do some more excursions to this area. I was fascinated by the ridge heading to the south from Ladybug Peak, can't find a name for it but looks like an interesting area. I believe the Dutch Henry trail follows along low on this ridge. Guess I will be finding what Safford has for Hotels and Restaurants. For tomorrow I will limit my hiking to higher up where it is a bit cooler and save the lower elevation trails for later in the year.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Western Wallflower - Orange

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Feb 11 2019

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Feb 11 2019
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	3.00 Miles	300 AEG

Hiking	3.00 Miles
	300 ft AEG

no routes

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Started with a short hike up upper Jacobson canyon, 2 hour bush camp before returning back down. Then a hike down to middle Jacobson with another shorty up the Ladybug Trail. Ended with a 3rd short one down the "horse trail" for a 2nd bush camp along the creek. Good snow melt continues, lot of good little waterfalls up & down the canyon.

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