finkmartin's Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Jan 23 2024

finkmartin

Triplogs 2

male

Joined Jan 17 2024
Eugene, OR

Mount Kimball via Pima Canyon Trail

Tucson, AZ

Mount Kimball via Pima Canyon Trail

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jan 23 2024
		finkmartin • Triplogs 2

Hiking	13.65 Miles	4,550 AEG

Hiking	13.65 Miles
	4,550 ft AEG

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Mount Kimball via Finger Rock

Mount Kimball - Pima Canyon Traverse

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Did Finger Rock Canyon Trail from Alvernon trailhead to Mt. Kimball and out via Pima Canyon on 1/19. GPS had it at 10.9 miles, 4100 ft of gain, 6:30. Finger Rock Canyon trail has been my benchmark for a hard trail since I first did it 30 years ago. After the first mile, it is basically 1000 ft up per mile for four straight miles. Trail was in excellent shape: recently maintained, vegetation cut back, some short sections rebuilt. It is very rocky, however. You will be watching where you plant your foot on almost every step. The last 1/2 mile or so, in the burn zone, has some significant erosion. The upper two miles of Pima Canyon are very steep and narrow, with lots of loose rock and grit. They are just as hard coming down as Finger Rock is going up, and going up this way would be brutal. After those first couple of miles, though, the trail moderates and you can finish at a quicker pace. Both trails are always easy to follow. No water in Finger Rock Canyon despite the recent rain and snow. Top mile of Pima Canyon is mostly on north side of the ridge, had significant snowy/icy stretches remaining. Poles were essential, and these trails are not a good choice if you have a fear of heights. Water in Pima Canyon at the highest creek crossing and in small pools in the slickrock lower down. Pima Canyon spring was damp and mossy but no water flowing out--I didn't scramble up to the springhouse to see if there was a pool there. Plenty of hikers in the bottom three miles of Pima Canyon, otherwise pretty empty. The views in the upper portions of both canyons rival any national park, IMHO. The first 1.25 miles of Finger Rock Canyon, before the trail crosses the canyon bottom and starts to go steeply up the east side of the canyon, is one of my favorite short hikes to introduce folks to the desert and the Catalinas. The bottom three miles of Pima Canyon are also an easy introduction, but you have to traverse private land for close to a mile before you get into the canyon itself.

Jan 16 2024

finkmartin

Triplogs 2

male

Joined Jan 17 2024
Eugene, OR

Italian Spring Trail #95

Tucson, AZ

Italian Spring Trail #95

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jan 16 2024
		finkmartin • Triplogs 2

Hiking	19.80 Miles	5,065 AEG

Hiking	19.80 Miles	10 Hrs 42 Mns		1.85 mph
	5,065 ft AEG		13 LBS Pack

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Round trip day hike from Redington Pass Road to top of Mica Mountain and back. My GPS had it at 19.9 miles. I tried to shorten this by 4.5 miles be using FR37 to access the trail where FR37 intersects the trail at the big wash. After a couple hundred yards of rock-crawling, I turned around. I wasn't moving faster than a walking pace, in a high clearance 4wd but with street tires, traveling alone. Decided I didn't want to risk ruining a tire or creep back after dark. It may be that FR37 gets much better after the initial section. It's certainly open and smooth along the wash where the trail meets it again. If it hadn't been getting dark, I would have walked it on my return. Maybe someone can post better intel on here. Redington Pass Road is rough but passable by passenger cars with care.

From Redington, the trail descends gently for a couple of miles to the wash. It then climbs fairly steeply for about a 1/2 mile back to your starting elevation, and rambles thru pleasant, open country for another 3-4 miles before the relentless climb begins. Several washes at the base of the mountain had flowing water. There is a good campsite, but dry, on the west side of the trail around mile 6, just above the last wash before the mountain.

The climb is hard but typical of sky island trails. Miles 7-8 (going up) had a lot of snow coverage, miles 9-10 were almost completely covered with snow, up to 12 inches deep. Fortunately others had been thru and I could step in their footprints. Italian Spring was full, small pool immediately trailside. Views are truly stunning. No wildlife sightings, but many, many tracks in the snow and mud.

The trail below the Saguaro NP boundary is in great shape and has obviously been brushed out recently. There was a large cache of water and trail tools at the FR37 junction. The trail within Saguaro NP is also generally good right now when the ferns are frozen and plants are dormant, but some parts look like they will get very brushy very fast when the growing season starts. The trail was easy to follow, although I would have struggled up top if I hadn't had footsteps to follow. I assume the trail is obvious when not covered by snow.

Did the last couple miles in the dark with a headlamp. 4 liters of water was about right for me.
You could get away without carrying any extra right now and fill up along the way. Only big regret was not choosing waterproof footwear. Fortunately I did have warm wool socks.

I've wanted to get to the top of the Rincons for decades. I grew up in Tucson but only return occasionally now. Never seemed to hit the right weather window. Finally said to heck with it and just went. Very glad I did, despite the cold feet.

	Italian Spring	Gallon + per minute	Gallon + per minute
	Small, full, trailside pool

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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