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| Hiking | 7.50 Miles |
2,000 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.50 Miles | 7 Hrs | | 1.36 mph |
| 2,000 ft AEG | 1 Hour 30 Mns Break | 18 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | 2-14-2026
Trail #100 – Atascosa Trail
Views – So much-You can literally see every thing in Pena Blanca, including the lake, on this hike. From the peak you can see into Mexico, Wise Mesa in Rio Rico, Elephant Head, Mine tailings in Green Valley, Ramanote Peak, If you hike past the peak about a quarter mile you can actually see the Ramanote Arch.
Features – A group calling themselves “Dirtbags” have improved the first mile or so of the trail. They smoothed it out and put in steps. After 2 miles on the trail it becomes a difficult steep bushwhack. Atascosa Saddle is a fun place to rock hop and explore the many rock formations and small caves. If you are comfortable with exposure, then you will enjoy the cliff near the end. (this can be bypassed)
This hike does not go to the lookout. It only goes to the peak “only”.
Getting there
From I 19 take exit 12 – At mile marker 10 take the left fork toward Ruby. There were passenger cars on this road today. 2wd is all right. – I forgot to check the milage but from exit 12 to the Trailhead Parking LOT took about 35 minutes. It’s about a mile past Summit Highway. Park on the South side of the road by the sign and cross rte 39 toward the sign that marks the trail head.
The first two miles are on a well establish trail. After the two mile mark there are steep slippery parts and patches of catclaw that can mostly be avoided.
Times to point of reference:
8:11 – Left the truck and hit the trail
8:15 – steps put in by Dirtbags – they’ve done an amazing job of upgrading the first part of the trail
8:21 – At the gate – Someone “fixed” the gate and now its hard to open and close.
8:31 – A tree
8:50 – Overlook – This is usually my first rest. Nice view of Thumb Butte – 2 minute break
9:06 – First Saddle after gate – View of Antennas at Lookout.
9:20 – (est.) hairpin in trail by Migrant Trail and Window – Rested here in shade for 15 min
9:35 left trail and headed UPPPP
10:06 – Saddle looking at Peak
10:12 – South end of Saddle
10:31 – North end of saddle
10:50 – Cliff – the cliff can be bypassed – See video
11:04 – Peak! I stayed here and read the register I put in 2020. In 2018 I replaced the register bottle with an ammo box. Napped for about 30 minutes. Woke myself up snoring.
12:34 – Back at the cliff. Video coming down. I by passed the ridge and rock hopping and came down a steep slope to the East of it. This was a lot easier than working my way down so many small ledges.
12:59 – back on the saddle
1:19 – South end of saddle There is a path that comes and goes across the saddle. The way is marked with a lot of cairns too.
1:33 back on the saddle looking at the peak
1:49 – at the window
1:51 on the trail at the hairpin turn- rest. from the saddle to the trail is insanely steep and there and multiple ledges to go over or around. There is a lot of cars claw and scree.
2:08 – headed back on the trail – I stashed water here
2:29 – back at the Big saddle looking up at the antennas
2:35 – back at the lookout and picked up the water I stashed water here on my way to lighten my pack
2:59 – back at the gate
3:10 at the truck
Once you get to the lookout the trail doesn’t have much elevation till you get to the window.
It was really nice to enjoy some level ish flat places fo a while.
I took 5 quarts of water and came back with less than 1. Cutting it close. One of my rules to turn around is that when I have used half my water, I come back. I got to the top and had used almost half of it.
I wish I had taken more food. I took a ham and egg sandwich, 2 protein bars and half a cup of almonds. Pack weighed in at 19 lbs
The humidity must have been really high because it was hard to breathe until I got to the high saddle. On the way back the mist and dew seemed to have burned off.
The trail looks like parts of it have been worked over recently. I don’t know if horses or mules are allowed on this trail (cows are) but it would be okay for horses and mules.
IF I can make this hike next year it will be 10 of hiking it annually.
I woke up this morning and almost didn’t take this hike. Sooooo much to do at work. BUT I remembered I have Monday off to get some done. I was kind of bummed about my time to the window because I thought my time was slower than last year and this is my reference point for getting slower as I get older BUT ended up making it faster than when Kevin and I did it.
Total times
Total hike 7 hours
Rest – 1.5 hours
Distance 7.5 miles round trip.
If you go to the peak via the Lookout it will be over 8 miles
If you take the migrant trail, it will be 7.75 miles
Elevation gain – 1,696 feet |
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