Jesus Babcock Trail #321 • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jun 15 2025
		jrc28 • Triplogs 11

Hiking	2.00 Miles	583 AEG

Hiking	2.00 Miles	1 Hour 24 Mns	2.18 mph
	583 ft AEG	29 Mns Break

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

Moved to Tucson in May. Spending the summer in the sky islands. Flat tire on the drive up. We came to Riggs Flat Lake so he could fly fish and I downloaded a few gps tracks for some short hikes to do with the Pug, 11 year old Zo, and Quinnie in the sun.

We stayed at Riggs campground so I decided to do the Jesus Babcock trail. Maybe it was my gps just being off, but the track seemed to follow a canyon full of ferns and vegetation to start. Not a trail. Don’t be like me. Look for the obvious trail, follow your instinct. The trail is higher and to the left of the gully. We finished on the trail. It was a little toasty for the Pug so we cut the short hike shorter and headed back after taking some time to orient ourselves and identify Lemmon and the Galiuros.

The trail was ok… nothing to write home about really, except for the views and the quartz.

We had 4 collective bear sightings on this trip, along with 2 bald eagles around the lake.

Probably will come back to the campground because of the nice infrastructure… but in spite of the other patrons, who really stunk up the trip (noisy, washing themselves, washing their dishes, cleaning their fish in the only potable water spigot right below our site). However, they all cleared up early on Sunday leaving us with a peaceful final night at the campground.

Aug 30 2022

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		Aug 30 2022
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	5.00 Miles	300 AEG

Hiking	5.00 Miles
	300 ft AEG

no routes

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Clark Peak Trail #301

Riggs Flat Lake

Chesley Flat Trail

Partners

partners

AddSanz

Started by driving the entire Swift Trail to it's end.
Quickie hike out to Clark Peak, found many raspberries along #301
Then looped Riggs Lake along the Lakeshore Trail #340
We rescued a bird caught up in fishing line before heading out to our fishing spot.
Caught a limit of Rainbows in under 30 minutes!
Then another hike out to the overlook behind the lake.
Tried to add Jesus Babcock #321, but could not locate the trail (another Frye Fire casualty).
On the way out we tried to hike in on the west side of Chesley Flat. Yet another trail all but gone from the Frye fire. We managed to find the aspen hidden TH sign, but no established trail remains ... Chit!
Many white tails & Abert's squirrels were spotted. Also 2 turkey and 1 red tail hawk.
Amazing sunset sky on the drive back down the mountain followed by rain.
Solid day on the Big Island, Solid partner ... Thanks for taking me AS!

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

	Riggs Lake	76-100% full	76-100% full
	100% Flowing over the spillway.

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Aug 08 2016

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Aug 08 2016
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	3.50 Miles	1,050 AEG

Hiking	3.50 Miles
	1,050 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

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Merrill Peak 9288

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partners

AddSanz

Early morning out-n-back hike with our entire camping party on the Jesus-Babcock Trail.
Fun & scenic little trail with awesome overlook views at the end, last .5 mile gets a little sketchy to follow, but not that tough to pick up.

Later in the day I broke away from the group at Riggs Lake for a solo bag of Merrill Peak.
Only .5 up a moderate steep slope, but man I was sucking wind on top from the elevation & heat! :sweat:

Fungi everywhere in the shaded forest on the way up and raspberries everywhere in the open area just before the peak.
Awesome overlook views to the South on top, could not find the register either as others have stated recently.

Returned back down to Riggs with the mind re-energized, sitting on a peak alone for awhile has that effect on me!

Wildflowers Observation Moderate
Moderate flower show up & on top of Merrill Peak.
Moderate amount of mountain raspberries on the NW slope of Merrill Peak.
Substantial fungi along the NW slope within the forest.

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2 archives

Aug 18 2014

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

CP Flat Loop

CP Flat Loop

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Aug 18 2014
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	5.00 Miles	850 AEG

Hiking	5.00 Miles
	850 ft AEG

no routes

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AddSanz

Day #1 of our hikes on this 2 day trip up Graham.

Addie, Lauren & myself were the cast.

First up was CP Flat - As far as short Pinaleno trails go, this one is a top favorite!
Beautiful short stroll through one nice aspen grove followed by a yellow sunflower filled meadow and ending with a walk along the Swift Trail to complete a loop. Great start to the day.

Next up was the Lakeshore Trail after driving back to Riggs Lake - Another short favorite trail that loops this most picturesque small alpine forest lake, loved it!

And last was an evening hike on the Jesus-Babcock Trail - Great trail out to an amazing overlook of the Sulphur Springs Valley below and beyond. Big monsoon storms could be seen forming in all directions as we left to get back to Riggs Lake for sunset.

Was a great first day of short trail hikes with some fishing and campground relaxation mixed in-between.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Brown Trout White Tailed Deer

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Riggs Lake

Meteorology

Meteorology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Sunset

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

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Oct 15 2013

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Clark Peak Trail #301

Clark Peak Trail #301

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Oct 15 2013
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	7.10 Miles	1,150 AEG

Hiking	7.10 Miles
	1,150 ft AEG

no routes

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CP Flat Loop

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weavejd

Clark Peak Trail - Just the out-n-back up to the peak. The trail going up has become very overgrown, it took some bushwacking & time, but we made it up.

CP Flat Loop - Do I like this short little scenic trail? You bet your sweet golden aspens I DO! Always a wonderful trail anytime of the year. We sat at the end of the grove for lunch and had a doe with her fawn walk right across the road 20 yards from us.

Lakeshore Trail - Counterclockwise around Riggs Flat Lake. This lake always has been & always will be my favorite place on the entire mountain, very quite & peaceful today.

Jesus-Babcock Trail - Out-n-back to the big overlook, another trail I will do every year when at Riggs Lake.

Wildlife once again this week was amazing -
8 Abert's squirrels
2 White-tail deer
25 turkeys walking together single file across Hospital Flat meadow

Autumn Foliage Observation Moderate

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

Riggs Lake

51-75% full

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Sep 01 2012

outdoor_lover

Guides 7
Routes 72
Photos 14,456
Triplogs 627

62 female

Joined Aug 19 2011
Scottsdale, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Sep 01 2012
		outdoor_lover • Triplogs 627

Hiking	2.00 Miles	450 AEG

Hiking	2.00 Miles	1 Hour 15 Mns		2.00 mph
	450 ft AEG	15 Mns Break	6 LBS Pack

no routes

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After Carl, the Camp Host at Riggs Lake, showed me the short path to an Overlook, he steered me in the direction of this Trail. This sweet little Trail takes you out on a series of points along a ridgeline where the Overlooks are very cool. The "short path" Overlook opens up to views of the western edge of the Pinalenos, and all of the ranges to the west, including the Catalinas. This Trail gives you all of that, plus a nice view of Merrill Peak above Riggs Lake, and all of the Ranges to the south and southeast, including the Greasewoods and Dos Cabezas.

It starts out from the back of the Parking Lot of Riggs Lake and I strolled through a wonderful little Forest stretch before breaking out into the open, with hints of the miles of Panoramic Vistas that lay ahead. As I left a majority of the pines behind, the landscape was replaced with Oak Scrub and Pinion, and the views became breathtaking. I continued to Hike the Trail to the end and was rewarded with the continued opening up of more and more country before me. It was warm, there is really no shade on this part of the Hike, but I found a nice slab of rock and sat for a bit, soaking in the Landscape below and beyond. Definitely need to hit this Trail at Sunset, as others before me have done.

Finally said goodbye to the Views and headed back, taking a little time to Photograph the many different Blooms on this Trail. My timing for doing this Hike was pretty good, as the Wildflowers were pretty nice through the lower part of this Trail. Wound my way back through the Pines, getting buzzed by a curious Hummingbird and stalking a Woodpecker to try and get a picture. Back to the Parking Lot and I return to my Campsite to get packed up and visit with some new HAZ arrivals.

Thoroughly enjoyed this little Hike with the awesome Payoff at the end. I can definitely see this little Trail as a regular, quick jaunt for me when I am in the area.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Mexican Silene

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Webb Peak

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

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Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty & well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out & proclaiming, "Wow What a Ride!"

Apr 29 2011

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Apr 29 2011
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	7.26 Miles	1,350 AEG

Hiking	7.26 Miles
	1,350 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

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Ladybug Peak 8780

Goudy Camp Loop

Riggs Flat Campground

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Woke up at Riggs Lake, packed up my camp and first hiked the lakeshore trail. Then crossed the campground and hiked the Jesus-Babcock trail which was in excellent shape due to recent work on it by the campground host & FS. Then left the lake and stopped to hike the Goudy camp trail and later on the drive back down the mountain, quick hike up to Ladybug Peak to end my 2 day trip on the mountain.

Wildflowers Observation Light

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2 archives

Sep 06 2009

skatchkins

Guides 2
Routes 24
Photos 3,436
Triplogs 230

47 male

Joined Dec 22 2007
Mesa, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Sep 06 2009
		skatchkins • Triplogs 230

Hiking	2.00 Miles	450 AEG

Hiking	2.00 Miles
	450 ft AEG

no routes

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Final hike for a great weekend. I remembered this was a quick hike for probably the best view in 180°+. Trail still requires some guesswork once you find the downed trees. Very fun to hike solo in the dark with the bear skat and upturned rocks all around and the ground still wet, keeping all footsteps quiet. Watched the storms roll and the sun retire. Nice lightning show in the fading light from three different cells.

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May he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm;
May he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you;
Armchair Crisis Design

May 23 2009

Disruptor22

Photos 24
Triplogs 12

41 male

Joined Jun 15 2009
Chandler, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		May 23 2009
		Disruptor22 • Triplogs 12

Hiking	1.00 Miles	300 AEG

Hiking	1.00 Miles	30 Mns	2.00 mph
	300 ft AEG

no routes

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Just a quick hike out to one of the fingers near Riggs Flat campground were we got an awesome overlook to the whole SE of the Pinalenos.

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Aug 31 2008

skatchkins

Guides 2
Routes 24
Photos 3,436
Triplogs 230

47 male

Joined Dec 22 2007
Mesa, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Aug 31 2008
		skatchkins • Triplogs 230

Hiking	1.50 Miles

Hiking	1.50 Miles

no routes

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After a short rest from Ash Creek, Steve and I force our legs over to Jesus-Babcock hoping to catch some sunset pics. It turned out to not be too spectacular, but the view was well worth the short hike. Good luck finding the trail. The trailhead parking lot was being used as a camper spot. The first part wasn't too hard to follow but later on it's just a spew of downed trees and briars. At a certain point you'll realize there's no point plodding forward as the view is better before the trail descends. You get a 180+ degree view of the valley below. We set up for the sunset and when it was done realized that even though we brought the flashlights in the vehicle to the trailhead, we neglected to hike them down. ](*,)

No worries, I just GPS'd us out. Who wants to do everything the easy way right?

Meteorology

Meteorology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Sunset

_____________________

May he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm;
May he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you;
Armchair Crisis Design

Jul 02 2006

PrestonSands

Guides 170
Routes 148
Photos 5,914
Triplogs 2,097

48 male

Joined Apr 12 2004
Tucson, AZ