Carr Peak • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Miller Peak via Miller Canyon

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John9L

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Headed down to the chookas for my first visit up the Carr Canyon Road since 2015. The road was in sedan shape up to the winter gate at the perimeter trailhead. From there it gets a little dicey and even a subi-type vehicle might have trouble in a couple of spots.

I like this range in September, but this year was significantly drier than it was 9 years ago; less green, fewer flowers, and much less flowing water. And it was still great. It was surprising to see a grove of aspens along the Carr Peak Trail have begun their autumn transition.

Temps stayed in the 60s all day, except for the brief visit to Carr Peak where it dropped into the 50s. A light southwest breeze was perfect accompaniment to the day, only reaching irritable levels funneling up and over Bear Saddle.

Got to see another twin-spotted rattlesnake on the Crest Trail (my 3rd ever, after seeing 2 on a trip here three years ago. These guys are tiny, and might have the highest range of any rattlesnake species - up to 11,000 feet. Always a treat to see one.)

We opted against the trip out to Ramsey and instead headed down Pat Scott. The climb up Comfort Springs was as miserable as I remember. I had forgotten about the bonus field of poison ivy to negotiate in the last mile, but managed to wade through it mostly unscathed.

All in all, an enjoyable day in the chookas.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Twin Spotted Rattlesnake

Wildflowers Observation Light
It was apparent that there has been one short night of frost damaging some of the most sensitive flowers. Still a bunch hanging on, but the season will end fast.

	Comfort Spring	Dry	Dry
	Springbox was dry. There's a use path leading uphill toward the point on the topo map that indicates the spring source. I did not hike up to check for water at the source.

	Pat Scott Canyon	Pools to trickle	Pools to trickle
	A small pool at 8325, which I've always found to have some water. Consistent flow and pools at the 7580 contour and below with a few stretches where it flows underground again, but reliable for a mile or so below that point.

	Wisconsin Canyon	Dry	Dry
	No water where Wisconsin drains into Pat Scott.

_____________________

I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.

3 archives

Sep 01 2024

BiFrost

Guides 4
Routes 491
Photos 10,890
Triplogs 1,257

55 male

Joined Nov 20 2012
Phoenix, AZ

Miller Carr Peak, AZ

Hiking		Sep 01 2024
		BiFrost • Triplogs 1,257

Hiking	15.62 Miles	4,772 AEG

Hiking	15.62 Miles	10 Hrs 3 Mns	1.83 mph
	4,772 ft AEG	1 Hour 32 Mns Break

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Huachuca Mountains - AZT #1

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slowandsteady

Started from Miller Canyon Trailhead about 615. The temps seemed fairly cool on the ascent which is good because it's a steep trail especially on the top half before reaching the crest trail. Also, on the ascent there were multiple blood hounds I'm assuming from the ranch near the trailhead that had some wildlife up a tree. Never really could see what they had up the tree but they never stopped barking all way to the crest trail and Bathtub Spring.

Took a break at the spring and was happy to see that the water was in good shape...nice and clear with no floaties. After the break we continued on the crest trail towards Miller summit. Really enjoy this section on the crest trail...great views between Miller and Carr Peaks. Eventually reached the Miller summit and had an excellent break with it all to ourselves!

Once off the summit we hiked back on the crest trail to Bathtub Spring. Then hiked up to the Carr Peak trail junction and followed that out towards Carr. Ran into a few more people on the day but that was it. Easy hike out to Carr Peak and another relaxing break on the summit. The storm clouds were also staying away so no rush to exit the highpoints.

After Carr Peak we hiked back to Bathtub Spring one more time and then back down Miller Canyon Trail. This time no bloodhounds with quiet hike back to the trailhead.

	Bathtub (Tub) Spring	Gallon per minute	Gallon per minute
	nice clear water with no floaties

_____________________

3 archives

Jun 18 2023

pseudalpine

Guides 59
Routes 1,100
Photos 1,191
Triplogs 1,290

male

Joined Jan 01 2023
Arizona

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jun 18 2023
		pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,290

Hiking	7.15 Miles	2,101 AEG

Hiking	7.15 Miles	3 Hrs 8 Mns	2.62 mph
	2,101 ft AEG	24 Mns Break

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Fun morning hike w/Kriket.

3 archives

May 27 2023

astrobrewer

Guides 1
Routes 209
Photos 1,231
Triplogs 196

male

Joined Mar 14 2015
Phoenix, AZ

Sky Islands Summit Challenge 2023, AZ

Hiking		May 27 2023
		astrobrewer • Triplogs 196

Hiking	15.83 Miles	4,907 AEG

Hiking	15.83 Miles	9 Hrs 25 Mns	2.05 mph
	4,907 ft AEG	1 Hour 41 Mns Break

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Hiked the Sky Islands Summit Challenge for the third year in a row. This is an annual event put on by the City of Sierra Vista each spring. They provide buses/vans from the city to the start in Ramsey Canyon and from the finish in Miller Canyon back again. They have three options which are one, two or three peaks that they rate as "Difficult", "Very Difficult" and "Extremely Difficult". My first two times I picked the "Difficult" single peak challenge which goes to Carr Peak, but this time I decided to challenge myself with the two peak hike which adds Miller Peak. There were about 180 people total participating this year, most doing either 1 peak or 3 peaks with only 37 people signed up for the 2 peak challenge.

The hike started in Ramsey Canyon Preserve. Ramsey Canyon is a beautiful forest area with a stream. The two peak group started at 6:15. The 3 peak folks had started an hour or so earlier, and the single peak group would start an hour later. The trail goes up from the start and gets the heart pumping. At the end of the preserve it turns into the Hamburg Trail which is initially all stairs and switchbacks which is hard work. After a bunch of climbing and sweating we reach an overlook and take in the view. From here the trail descends and gives up most of the hard won elevation we just gained. This downhill segment lets us catch our breath. As we head down we can hear a stream below that we eventually reach and cross. There was definitely more water this time than the last two years, but not so much as to make it difficult to cross.

The trail crosses the stream several times as we begin to ascend the canyon. Interestingly the water seemed to start and stop. Most of the stream crossings we had to step on stones to cross the water, but some places the stream bed was dry. Then further up the canyon there would be water again. The trail gets steeper and steeper as it follows the stream. We stopped a few times to rest on the way up. Eventually the trail leaves the bottom of the canyon and heads up the canyon wall. It's steeper and it seems to go on forever, but at least it's cool and shady. Eventually we reach the Crest Trail at Bear Saddle which provides a view of the land to the West of the Huachucas.

After munching down on an energy bar and chugging some electrolyte juice at the saddle we continue on the Crest Trail #103 which is part of the Arizona Trail. The trail is more or less level for a while as it traverses the western edge of the mountain toward the South which is a nice change after the long, long climb to get there. The views to the west here are just stunning. Then the trail heads into the forest for a series of switchbacks that take us up and over the ridge where we get our first view of Carr and Miller Peaks.

At the ridge line we turn left on Carr Peak Trail #107. There are few big trees here on this side of the mountain because of a big fire that burned through some years ago. The trail climbs gently over about a mile and a half until we reach the spur to the peak. The spur is a bit steeper, but it's short and before long we're on top of Carr Peak where we check in, receive peak stickers for our water bottles and stamps for our passports to show we made it. Great view of Sierra Vista to the north, and of Miller Peak, our next destination, to the south.

We retrace our route back along Carr Peak Trail and then start heading downhill towards the aptly named Bathtub Spring where we turn right to stay on the Crest Trail. The spring was running and the tub was overflowing. The next mile or so was more or less level which was easy walking and helped my legs recover. Miller Peak is only a couple hundred feet higher than Carr Peak, but we descended quite a way and have nearly 1000 feet of elevation gain to get to Miller Peak. Now it's nearly noon, the trail is in sunlight and it's hard work. Eventually we reach the junction with Miller Peak Trail #105 which is a short spur that takes us to the peak where we get another sticker and stamp and an opportunity to catch our breath before the long hike down.

After a short break we start back down and retrace our route to Bathtub Spring. While it was a long climb up here, the footing is good and the slope is gentle enough that we can keep up a decent pace. From Bathtub Spring it's down the long, steep and miserable Miller Canyon Trail #106. There are several stretches that are steep and rocky and have to be taken slowly to avoid falling. Even though I had done this trail twice before, it still seemed to go on much longer than I remembered. As we headed down we saw a helicopter head up to the ridge where we had been to rescue a hiker in trouble. We also passed a couple of men from the Frye Fire Dept who were heading up Miller Canyon to assist a hiker. I heard people saying that at least three hikers needed to be rescued. Busy day for paramedics in the Huachucas. Thankfully my friends and I were not among those needing assistance.

When we reached the end of the trail a van was there in minutes to take us to the staging area farther down Miller Canyon, and from there a bus took us back to Veterans Memorial Park where the annual wine and beer festival was in full swing. Participants in the Summit Challenge all received two free drink tickets, and after a long day of hiking that beer tasted great!

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Bathtub (Tub) Spring Carr Peak Miller Peak

	Bathtub (Tub) Spring	Quart per minute	Quart per minute
	Bathtub was overflowing

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May 13 2023

trekkin_gecko

Guides 10
Routes 673
Photos 7,281
Triplogs 4,660

67 female

Joined Nov 17 2008
phoenix, az

Pat Scott - Carr loop, AZ

Hiking		May 13 2023
		trekkin_gecko • Triplogs 4,660

Hiking	13.45 Miles	3,850 AEG

Hiking	13.45 Miles	7 Hrs 23 Mns	2.05 mph
	3,850 ft AEG	50 Mns Break

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LindaAnn

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linda invited me to do this loop in the huachucas
we got going around 0715
cool temps in the lower elevations
comfort springs, hamburg, pat scott canyon to the crest trail
we hit both pat and patricia scott peaks

continued on the crest trail to carr peak trail
took a nice snack break on carr peak, then down to the campground
saw our first person after we had done the pat scott marked on the topo
her maps had the other peak as pat scott, so we went up that too
chatted with her a bit on carr, where we saw a half dozen other hikers
a few more people toward the finish
good breeze most of the day
water flowing in pat scott canyon
clouds building in the afternoon
nice views from the peaks and from the crest trail
love these sky island ranges

thanks for a great hike linda!

_____________________

hazhole

May 13 2023

LindaAnn

Guides 110
Routes 2,246
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,600

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Pat Scott - Carr loop, AZ

Hiking		May 13 2023
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600

Hiking	13.04 Miles	3,723 AEG

Hiking	13.04 Miles	7 Hrs 24 Mns	2.02 mph
	3,723 ft AEG	57 Mns Break

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trekkin_gecko

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Today seemed like a good day for the Huachucas. Kelly and I started from Ramsey Vista Campground shortly after 0700 and headed down Comfort Springs Trail. Cool to start, which was nice.

Hopped onto Hamburg Trail for a minute, then onto Pat Scott Canyon Trail. Lots of water along the trail, with numerous water crossings—all easy. Some deadfall, but nothing too difficult. Finally topped out at the Crest Trail and headed north to what may or may not be Pat Scott Peak. Either way, it has some nice views.

Headed back south on Crest to what also may or may not be Pat Scott Peak on the other side of the junction. Different maps say different things. Steeper climb to this one, but not bad. We dubbed one Pat Scott and the other Patricia Scott. Regardless, we got the peak one way or another.

Once back on the Crest trail again, we headed south for a few miles. Pleasant hiking through the trees, with nice views on either side of the ridge. After Bear Saddle, the climb up to the junction with Carr Peak Trail was a bit warm.

Carr Peak Trail was much easier, with a side trip up to the peak. Had a snack up there and enjoyed the gathering clouds. Up until the peak, we had only seen one other hiker all day, a woman who was doing nearly the same loop as us. Saw a half dozen hikers at the peak, but we had the summit to ourselves most of the time.

The descent off Carr down to the campground is mostly easy with a moderate grade. One or two short sections of rocky trail, but felt like a breeze to finish out the loop. Fun day, and good to hike with Kelly again.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Claret Cup Cactus

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Still early, but saw a few flowers here and there.

	Comfort Spring	Dripping	Dripping
	Dripping, less than a quart per minute. Trough was full and water looked clear.

_____________________

Stop crying and just go do the hike.

1 archive

Nov 06 2022

Mike_W

Guides 104
Routes 256
Photos 16,118
Triplogs 528

53 male

Joined Dec 30 2005
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Nov 06 2022
		Mike_W • Triplogs 528

Hiking	5.95 Miles	2,513 AEG

Hiking	5.95 Miles	3 Hrs	1.98 mph
	2,513 ft AEG

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Jim

Started this hike with Brian and Jim around 10:30 AM. The trail was very well maintained and quite pleasant. We saw some small patches of snow on the way up on the North side of the mountain. Within 10 feet of the trail junction heading up to Carr peak, I saw a 1 foot long small rattlesnake that appeared to be speckled. When I got my phone out to take a pic, it already moved under a fallen tree and disappeared. We didn't see it on the way down and we were a bit surprised to see a rattler at this high elevation. The Eastern side of the peak was just gravelly without any trees or bushes which allowed for some good pics of Sierra Vista down below. The Western side of the peak had some brush. We didn't see a registry up here and figured once didn't exist because of the popularity of this peak. After this peak, we continued on toward Granite peak which was roughly 2 miles to the West.

AEG for both Carr and Granite combined = 3,113 feet

_____________________

Michael Williams
IT Professional
Rocky Point Vacation Rentals
Ocean Front Condo in Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico
www.beachfrontmexico.us

May 28 2022

cindyl

Routes 17
Photos 2,773
Triplogs 249

53 female

Joined May 15 2009
Phoenix and Tucs

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		May 28 2022
		cindyl • Triplogs 249

Hiking	6.40 Miles	2,024 AEG

Hiking	6.40 Miles	3 Hrs 59 Mns	2.04 mph
	2,024 ft AEG	51 Mns Break

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[ checklist ] Fendler Rose Lewis Flax New Mexico Locust New Mexico Raspberry Quaking Aspen Silverstem Lupine Unidentified Flora Yellow Salsify

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we always like to head south for holiday weekends so we don't have traffic woes going or coming back. we even got my lucky spot #13 in a campground that was about half full. on our way there, i was checking out various websites and noticed that the sierra vista sky island summit challenge was on saturday, but i also saw the route they were taking would only intersect mine on the spur up to the peak, so i decided saturday would be my day for the hike.

on the way up, i started noticing those tent caterpillars, then i noticed the larva sacks in the aspens. that stretch through the aspens is usually my favorite, but those tents made it creepy. i thought they were killing the aspens until i got back to camp and googled it. apparently the cycle is a year - the aspen leaves will be back next year. this year though... ew.

the disgust continued after the aspens when i came upon some migrant trash. i have seen that on miller before, but this was a first for me on carr. there were at least eight backpacks, dirty clothing, empty water bottles, and empty green chile cans. this was a dump spot for sure.

onward and upward, when i started up the carr peak spur, i said hello to many of the summit challenge people, and most didn't even make eye contact, let alone say hello. that was a hard hike though, and they still had miles to go. it was kind of cool to get the cowbell treatment at the peak, and the volunteers cheered me on, even though i didn't have a number to log for their challenge. i ran into one person i recognized from instagram and folks at the top were more talkative to be sure.

on the way down, there was a volunteer that was suffering from dehydration. her husband was on the phone with the EMTs and they were figuring out what to do. she had plenty of water, but apparently wasn't able to keep it down. they assured me that they were getting the help they needed, and i made my way down the rest of the way.

oh! apple watch stats: time: 3:02:13, distance: 6.03 miles, active calories: 855, total calories: 1,133, elevation gain: 1,961, avg. heart rate: 130 bpm, average pace: 30'12"/mile, weather: 73 degrees, humidity 6 percent (and super windy).

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Western Tent Caterpillar

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Old Sawmill Spring

Wildflowers Observation Light
does new mexican locust count? lots of that blooming in the lower section.

Old Sawmill Spring

Dripping

_____________________

There are just two switchbacks left. And another half-mile to the destination...

3 archives

May 28 2022

astrobrewer

Guides 1
Routes 209
Photos 1,231
Triplogs 196

male

Joined Mar 14 2015
Phoenix, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		May 28 2022
		astrobrewer • Triplogs 196

Hiking	11.70 Miles	4,105 AEG

Hiking	11.70 Miles	6 Hrs 38 Mns	2.07 mph
	4,105 ft AEG	59 Mns Break

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Signed up for the single Peak Challenge again this year, same as last year. Hiked up to the saddle with minimal rest stops. Made pretty good time, but my legs were feeling it. Took an early lunch break at the saddle before continuing the rest of the way, and that helped. It was quite windy at the saddle, and it got windier and windier the close we got to Carr Peak. I had to tighten up the chin strap on my hat to keep from losing it. But sorrow on the peak it wasn't windy at all. Just a pleasant light breeze. But wind was cranking as soon as we started down off the peak.

That 4 mile descent down Miller Canyon is a real bitch. Steep, rocky, and it seems to go on forever. I felt much better than last year when I had to stop many times on the way down just to make it. It also helped that I knew the trail which better prepared me mentally. But my knees were feeling it by the time I got to the bottom.

All in all a great day in the Huachuca Mountains. A very well organized event by the city of Sierra Vista. I will do it again next year for sure!

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Claret Cup Cactus

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Western Tent Caterpillar

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Aerostat

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Carr Peak Miller Peak

_____________________

6 archives

Oct 28 2021

AndrewAZ

Guides 1
Routes 1
Triplogs 24

45 male

Joined Feb 27 2012
Cochise County

Miller Peak from Crest Trail

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Oct 28 2021
		AndrewAZ • Triplogs 24

Hiking	16.65 Miles	5,640 AEG

Hiking	16.65 Miles	8 Hrs 2 Mns	2.07 mph
	5,640 ft AEG

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Miller Peak Trail

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Starting at Montezuma Pass TH, going along the Crest Trail to Miller Peak, then along the Crest again to Carr Peak, and then all the way back to Montezuma Pass.

My first hike as a resident of the county. At the first overlook (not even .5 mi from the TH), a startled coati bolted through the tall grass into the nearby rocks. An auspicious start to living/hiking here.

Didn't see anyone else until I was on Miller Peak--two guys were on the far end of the southwest ridge that stretches away from the peak. Looked like hunters doing spotting prep work.

I hadn't been along the Crest from Miller to Bathtub Spring since I did the AZT a decade ago. Absolutely wonderful. The pine forests on the top of the sky islands really are God's country.

While I enjoy the "more open + tall grass + occasional pines" scenery that dominates after Bathtub Spring, it makes for much hotter hiking. The climb to Carr Peak was toasty.

On the way out, as I descended from the big juniper that's 2 miles from the TH, I kept hearing voices, so I assumed I would catch some hikers in front of me. I never caught them, but I kept hearing them. When I started looking hard, I realized there were 4 people doing a bushwhack straight down from the big juniper (where the Crest trail curves to the west of the canyon). They were maybe .5 mile down, and had quite a way to go through steep, rough country to reach the road at the bottom of the canyon. I hope they made it.

_____________________

Sep 18 2021

chumley

Guides 94
Routes 840
Photos 22,055
Triplogs 1,993

52 male

Joined Sep 18 2002
Tempe, AZ

Sunnyside Carr, AZ

Backpack		Sep 18 2021
		chumley • Triplogs 1,993

Backpack	19.78 Miles	5,305 AEG

Backpack	19.78 Miles	1 Day 3 Hrs 7 Mns
	5,305 ft AEG

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Sunnyside Canyon #117

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John9L

Jonnybackpack

I'd never hiked Sunnyside 117 so I figured it would be a fun way to get up into the chookas to enjoy the abundant wildflowers this range provides after monsoon rains. We figured it would be a good one to make an overnight and camp near the crest. The forecast called for some good chances of rain and we dodged a few drops on both Saturday and Sunday along with some robust lightning and breezes, but the major cells avoided us.

The lower part of 117 was a pleasant streamside walk, with plenty of flowing water and beautiful shaded oak forest. From the old mine site at Rattlesnake Spring, the trail is a steep and brutal climb that ended up breaking us all. Except for cheating and driving up to the reef, there is simply no trail that gets to the top of this range that isn't an aggressive climb. Carrying an overnight pack makes it tougher.

Just before the crest, I got buzzed by a twinspotted. It's the 2nd one I've seen, and I do really like them ... they're so small! After a couple miles of traversing along the crest we finally found a spot and set up camp and took an extended break. The planned trip over to Miller was replaced with some much-earned do-absolutely-nothing time! But after a storm cleared the area we found some energy and headed over to Carr under beautiful late afternoon light ... where I encountered another twinspotted on the trail!

We settled in front of a warm fire on a pleasant evening that didn't drop below 50. After a lazy and slow morning we began to pack up camp. Again we decided against a trip out to Miller and instead began the 8 mile descent back down the hill. After discussion we opted to skip making a lasso loop with the Eureka trail in favor of the pleasant creekside hike in Sunnyside.

On the way down, we encountered Belinda and crew on their way up and chatted for a bit. As we crossed the wilderness boundary we encountered a gaggle of AZT hikers who had passed by camp the night before. They were in better spirits today but may have been a bit jealous our hike was ending at the 117 trailhead and not the 5 extra miles to Parker. Besides a couple of trail runners Sunday morning, they were the only other hikers we saw.

On the drive home we stopped in Sonoita for a bit to enjoy the Santa Cruz county fair with a quick spin on the ferris wheel.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Twin Spotted Rattlesnake

Wildflowers Observation Substantial
Dozens of varieties, as summer rains always provide here.

_____________________

I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.

Jun 25 2021

azdesertfather

Guides 16
Routes 81
Photos 1,269
Triplogs 1,145

51 male

Joined Apr 30 2008
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jun 25 2021
		azdesertfather • Triplogs 1,145

Hiking	9.20 Miles	2,730 AEG

Hiking	9.20 Miles	4 Hrs 20 Mns		2.36 mph
	2,730 ft AEG	26 Mns Break	15 LBS Pack

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What an awesome hike! Loved this today. Wanted to get in a good hike with views with my buddy Jason, and get out of the desert heat. So many fires burning so many good ranges, feel like options are limited these days. Remembered the Huachucas from doing Arizona Trail segment 1, so glad I did. Amazing views, birds chirping all over the place, and the fresh smell of pine in many places. Honestly I think this is one of my favorite ranges in the state. There were a couple of spots where we saw vestiges of illegal activity…oddly places pieces of clothing that upon closer looks revealed unofficial trails, and empty Mexican electrolyte bottles, but not too bad.

Ramsey Vista campground is so nice in that you start hiking at 7200 feet, so no hiking down to lower elevations in the heat of the day. Did the loop clockwise which was a good choice, though there were some warm, exposed spots near the end that were a little toasty even at 7000 ft.

Carr Peak is totally bare and exposed, unreal views. So much of this loop has incredible views, as you get a 360 view from beginning to end.

Surprised by how the AZT was almost totally unmarked in the section we did, especially with all the trails it crosses in that section.

Also surprised that we didn’t run into a single hiker the entire day. Granted it was a Friday, but still! This time of year?! With the limited options we have around Tucson?

Wildflowers Observation Light

	Comfort Spring	Dry	Dry
	Comfort Spring offered no comfort yet again today

_____________________

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." — Henry David Thoreau

May 29 2021

astrobrewer

Guides 1
Routes 209
Photos 1,231
Triplogs 196

male

Joined Mar 14 2015
Phoenix, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		May 29 2021
		astrobrewer • Triplogs 196

Hiking	12.48 Miles	4,274 AEG

Hiking	12.48 Miles	8 Hrs	1.83 mph
	4,274 ft AEG	1 Hour 10 Mns Break

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Ramsey Canyon Trail

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The Sky Island Summit Challenge. I did the single summit challenge which was to Carr Peak. I found it challenging, and feel great about finishing. The challenge event was run by the city of Sierra Vista and they did a great job! Very well organized.

The hike started started at The Nature Conservancy Ramsey Canyon Preserve. The city took us there on buses. The hike went up Hamburg Trail, then the Carr Peak Trail, and back down Miller Canyon Trail where cans shuttled us back to our cars. The double and triple summit challenge hikers started earlier in the day.

The trail was really pretty. It went through beautiful forest in Ramsey Canyon. Then it started going up a grueling series of switch backs which started spreading the group out. Then it went back down into the canyon for a while which was much less step and a pleasant relief. But that didn't last as eventually we had to climb out of the canyon. The climb seemed endless and my legs were definitely feeling it. But finally we made it to Bear Saddle where the Hamburg Trail meets the Crest Trail. The view from the saddle was amazing. We rested there a bit before continuing on.

The next leg along the Saddle Trail started out fairly level with great views. It was also in the sun. The Hamburg Trail had been in shady forest, but now we were walking in the sun. Then the trail climbed with a series of switchbacks to the junction with the Carr Peak Trail. This trail climbed gently for a little under a mile to the short spur trail that led to the Peak. Fantastic view from the top. Well worth it.

The return had us retrace our path back to the Crest Trail, then down the Miller Canyon Trail which was one endless step downhill slog. Passed lots of folks in Miller Canyon who were complaining about their knees and generally struggling. My legs were stiff and sore, but eventually made it to the pick up point.

Overall this was a fun hike through beautiful mountains. Thank you to the city of Sierra Vista for organizing this great experience! I will definitely do this again.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Aerostat

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Miller Peak Pat Scott Peak

_____________________

1 archive

Apr 23 2021

LJW

Routes 154
Photos 1,505
Triplogs 266

31 male

Joined Jun 02 2019
Phoenix, AZ

Carr - Miller - Ramsey Loop, AZ

Hiking		Apr 23 2021
		LJW • Triplogs 266

Hiking	22.79 Miles	5,900 AEG

Hiking	22.79 Miles	8 Hrs 57 Mns	2.96 mph
	5,900 ft AEG	1 Hour 15 Mns Break

Linked

10 linked trail guides

Ramsey Peak

Partners

none

no partners

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

Second time in the Huachucas. Threw together a loop that'd see more Crest and get me on top of Ramsey and the brothers Pat Scott. Had a go from the Sawmill TH around 6am. Road is probably doable in low clearance, but I wouldn't if it were my investment.

Sawmill Trail up to Carr Peak Trail. Really just a connector for those of us looking to save a few minutes driving time. Most reliable spring en route was putting out a decent flow and should be for a couple months more.

Carr Peak trail swings up the mountain quickly. Good tread, least tree cover on the day. Carr Peak views hazy in the early morning. Offers the best angle on Miller and time to wonder about the ubiquitous zeppelin down in the foothills.

Down Carr to Crest then out and back to Miller. More good tread this time through the surviving forest of fir and pine. Up the ridge steeper and steeper as it nears the Miller Peak Trail. Passes through a huge, young grove of aspen. There is a lot to see along this loop come autumn, expanding my search for this year outside of Ramsey Canyon. Half the elevation gain is out of the way by the time Miller summit comes. Best views of day, apart from maybe Ramsey.

Crest all the way back to the Carr jct. Clouds started to coalesce over the mountains. Kept going to the Hamburg jct and the track became unfamiliar. Perfect weather for the money stretch of Crest Trail. From Granite Mountain to the end of Crest at the Fort Huachuca border, I'm not sure there's better hiking in the state. It is as good as anywhere. Shady in the fir, cold breeze, and warm intermittent sunlight. Will never take Wisconsin Canyon down again, it is so worth it to loop around to Pat Scott Canyon.

Got Pat Scott #1 on the way to Ramsey and #2 on the way back. #1 is several times better than #2, which is marked as Pat Scott Peak on most maps. Weather increasingly dramatic as I started the climb up Ramsey.

The topos I looked through differed on the whether or not there is a trail to Ramsey, and it turned out there isn't one. Ascending Ramsey was probably the hardest part of the loop. It is easiest to summit if you stay north of the ridgeline, otherwise it is a good bushwhack. Unfortunately, this involves trespassing onto military property. If stepping 50ft into the seldom traveled upper reaches of military land is a deal breaker, I would say the peak cannot be summited using the ridge I did. The only person I met all day was on the summit tinkering with a ham radio when I got there. He came straight up the ridgeline from the preserve, a shorter, more difficult, and legal route. I asked what he made of the military border, and he shrugged. There are no signs marking it, no signs forbidding passage, only a fence line that is broken where the deer cross and somebody has marked the route by hanging reflective yellow flags from tree limbs.

Pat Scott Canyon back down. Just as good as Wisconsin Canyon. Firs, pines, oaks, maples. Really might make a good fall loop if the timing is right. The canyons in the Huachucas steep as anything, but Pat Scott makes easy work of the quick descent.

After that Hamburg for about 5 minutes before Comfort Springs. Beautiful woods on the backside of Carr. Second hardest part of the day was ascending Comfort springs and getting back out of the canyon. Once down around the Hamburg Mine, there was still ~1200 feet to gain. Pushed through that last section looping back around. Only saw the one hiker, not too busy up there. Temps from 40s-70s.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Miller Peak

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Some on Carr Peak, some near Miller Peak. Nothing good.

Bathtub (Tub) Spring

Dripping

Comfort Spring

Dripping

Old Sawmill Spring

Quart per minute

	Pat Scott Canyon	Pools to trickle	Pools to trickle
	Comes and goes

2 archives

Oct 10 2020

emilystardust

Routes 386
Photos 49
Triplogs 792

43 female

Joined Jun 23 2015
Phoenix, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Oct 10 2020
		emilystardust • Triplogs 792

Hiking	13.60 Miles	3,241 AEG

Hiking	13.60 Miles	7 Hrs 19 Mns	2.20 mph
	3,241 ft AEG	1 Hour 8 Mns Break

no photosets

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

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

We began at Ramsey Vista Campground and went to Carr Peak first, then over to Miller Peak via Crest Trail, which was definitely the more scenic part of the hike. Lovely fall-ish day.

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Aug 16 2020

Timknorr

Photos 738
Triplogs 27

39 male

Joined Jul 26 2012
Tucson, AZ

[ checklist ] Arizona Blue Eyes Aspen Fleabane Aspen Sunflower Yellow Columbine

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Aug 16 2020
		Timknorr • Triplogs 27

Hiking	5.95 Miles	2,513 AEG

Hiking	5.95 Miles
	2,513 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

First time up that gravel "road" into the Huachucas. We left for Carr peak around 9am. Its a climb but not overly difficult. Almost stepped on a Black-Tailed rattle snake. Used my GoPro selfie stick to get some close up shots. We noticed a fire near Ramsey Peak. Hopefully the rains which quench that fire.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Black-tailed Rattlesnake Yarrow's Spiny Lizard

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

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Jul 25 2020

toddak

Guides 13
Routes 38
Photos 1,651
Triplogs 577

60 male

Joined Nov 15 2005
Jackson, CA

Lutz Canyon Trail #104

Lutz Canyon Trail #104

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jul 25 2020
		toddak • Triplogs 577

Hiking	19.50 Miles	7,000 AEG

Hiking	19.50 Miles	11 Hrs 30 Mns	1.70 mph
	7,000 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

8 linked trail guides

Hunter Canyon Trail #111

Partners

none

no partners

Nice figure-8 route on a mostly overcast monsoon day. Up Lutz to the Crest, up Miller and Carr Peaks, around on Comfort Springs, back up on Hamburg, down Miller and out to Hunter trailhead. Bike shuttle back to Lutz trailhead. Good water at 2 springs plus light creek flow in two places along Comfort and also in Miller Canyon.

Every trail I've done so far in the Huachucas has been outstanding - I'll be back!

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Ladybug beetle

Wildflowers Observation Light

	Bathtub (Tub) Spring	Dripping	Dripping
	full, clear tub

	Comfort Spring	Dripping	Dripping
	full, clear box

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Jul 04 2020

cindyl

Routes 17
Photos 2,773
Triplogs 249

53 female

Joined May 15 2009
Phoenix and Tucs

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jul 04 2020
		cindyl • Triplogs 249

Hiking	6.65 Miles	2,513 AEG

Hiking	6.65 Miles	6 Hrs 5 Mns	1.70 mph
	2,513 ft AEG	2 Hrs 10 Mns Break

Linked

linked

[ checklist ] Nais Metalmark Robber Fly Unidentified Fauna Yarrow's Spiny Lizard

Partners

none

no partners

we arrived about 5 pm on july 2, and found only two of the campsites taken where we like to camp, and our favorite spot was available, so we jumped on it. i didn't know whether i wanted to rest on the 3rd and hike on the 4th or the other way around. there was a chance that the weatherman randy was going to join for saturday, so i went ahead and procrastinated, which is a normal state for me. the evening of the 3rd saw the biggest gain in campers, and most decided to leave before the planned socially distant fireworks in sierra vista. i had some hearty oatmeal to start, and then i was on my way. so far away from the yelling kids, the unz unz, and the vehicle noise.

some people like to hike for fitness, and that's not me. some people like to hike for the camaraderie. also... not me. i want to get as far away from it all as possible, and that's when you'll find me smiling from ear to ear on the trail.

i started on the sawmill springs trail, which tries to kill me every time i hike up or down that damn thing, and after i got on the carr peak trail, i saw that someone had numbered the switchbacks in paint (vandals). i had noticed this the last time i hiked it, so this time i figured i'd go ahead an take a picture to document the destruction. i was also wondering how many switchbacks before i couldn't hear the screaming children, the vehicles struggling up the hill, or the unz unz of the vehicle's "music." the answer, for those of you wondering, is just two to not hear the children, and eight to not hear any signs of vehicles. and here i was debating whether or not to go all the way... i heard fellow hikers at switchback 9, and even with my slow hiking, it took another switchback to not hear those voices.

i didn't have very good cell service at the campsite, so i was planning on calling my mom when i got to the top for her birthday. i opened a celebratory beer and had a good conversation with my mom until it started raining. i cut the call short, downed the rest of my beer, and before i knew it, the rain had turned to hail. it wasn't too far along the trail, when the thunder and lightning started too. i'm glad i made it off the unprotected peak and down the trail a bit before that. the hike down was pleasant, with the softer dirt under my feet. the rocks were still unforgiving though. a few more breaks communicating with folks because i had cell service, and i eventually made it back to camp. it had rained there, too, and it continued to sprinkle on and off for a couple of hours.

i had great plans to watch the sierra vista fireworks from the picnic bench on top of the hill, but the view wasn't great, and it was too far away to see much of anything.

we packed up camp the next morning and had breakfast burritos in sierra vista before making our way back to the sweltering heat if the valley. the weekends always end too soon.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Deers Ears Indian Paintbrush Lewis Flax Yellow Columbine

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cag Shot HAZ - Selfie

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Old Sawmill Spring

Meteorology

Meteorology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Hail Sunset

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

Old Sawmill Spring

Gallon per minute

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There are just two switchbacks left. And another half-mile to the destination...

Jun 14 2020

MAP

Routes 137
Photos 1
Triplogs 105

44 female

Joined Oct 21 2016
Tempe, AZ

Miller Peak via Miller Canyon

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jun 14 2020
		MAP • Triplogs 105

Hiking	12.80 Miles	3,742 AEG

Hiking	12.80 Miles	6 Hrs 22 Mns	2.08 mph
	3,742 ft AEG	12 Mns Break

no photosets

Linked

linked

Partners

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no partners

Wow. The Miller Canyon Route is the way to go! So many unique birds with crazy colors, so many waterfalls, it was a completely different world in that canyon! In this case, I would recommend an out-and-back in Miller Canyon. I did a loop up Miller and down Carr (but I missed the Sawmill Canyon turnoff so I had to walk the road longer then anticipated) but Miller was where the "wow" was at. Also the temperature would have been fine if I had cut the loop. I think it was around 95 deg when I got back to my car around 1:30 pm and I was feeling it big time. I parked at the Miller Canyon Parking but camped further down Miller Canyon Road the night before. It's super nice that you can camp anywhere on those lower canyon roads. I started around 6 am and there were already birders further up the trail. They must wake up really early! Everyone was super friendly. Met a couple backpackers up at Bathtub Spring too. The Huachuca Mountains are really special and I seem to fall in love with a different area every time I visit.

Bathtub (Tub) Spring

Quart per minute

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Jun 07 2020

Mountain_Rat

Guides 11
Routes 123
Photos 818
Triplogs 257

62 male

Joined Jul 14 2011
Tucson, AZ

Carr Miller Hamburg Loop, AZ

Hiking		Jun 07 2020
		Mountain_Rat • Triplogs 257

Hiking	14.00 Miles	4,000 AEG

Hiking	14.00 Miles	7 Hrs 40 Mns		2.10 mph
	4,000 ft AEG	1 Hour Break	13 LBS Pack

no routes

Linked