Passage #2 - Canelo Hills East

Location:  Parker Canyon Lake to Canelo Pass

Length:  14.5 miles

Southern Trailhead:  Parker Canyon Lake - FR 194
- GPS Coordinates:  31.41959° N, 110.44178° W

Northern Trailhead:  Canelo Pass - FR 799
- GPS Coordinates:  31.51287° N, 110.55827° W

Trail Route Description:  From the southern terminus near Parker Canyon Lake, the trail follows a westerly route trending downhill through grass and forest covered hills to Parker Canyon. It then heads north through the Canelo Hills, with quite a bit of up and down. Dropping into Pauline Canyon, it trends westerly again, then northwest as it climbs to the top of the Canelo ridge, which it follows for a couple miles. Finally, it drops down to intersect with FR 799 at the Canelo Pass Trailhead.

Difficulty:  Moderate

Season(s):  Fall, Winter and Spring.

Water:  The only reliable water source on this passage is Parker Canyon Lake. About 3 miles in there is a dirt tank that may have water. This tank is east of the trail and not easy to see when traveling north. About 5 miles north of that is a dirt tank as you drop into Pauline Canyon, which may have water. About 1.5 miles more, you drop into Western Canyon, which in wet times may have water in it.

Notes/Warnings:

• Water is intermittent and scarce. Plan to bring your own water. All water along this passage should be purified prior to use.
• Trail is designed for hiking and horseback riding. Mountain bikes are permitted.
• Cattle grazing occurs along the route of the trail. Please close all gates.
• Mines are located near some of the trail routes and are marked. Please stay on the trail.
• Developed campsites and a seasonally operated concession store are located at Parker Canyon Lake.

Resources:

• USGS Topographic Maps: Huachuca Peak, Canelo Pass and O'Donnell Canyon.
• Coronado National Forest, Sierra Vista Ranger District.
• BLM Information Center maps.

For more information, contact:

• The Passage Steward
• Coronado National Forest, Sierra Vista Ranger District, 5990 S. Highway 92, Hereford, AZ 85615   (520) 378-0311.
• BLM Information Center, One North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004   (602) 417-9300.
• Zay Hartigan, Passage steward's website with mile-by-mile trail description.

Current Trail Information:
4/2007 - Some illegal alien trails cross or intersect this trail. They can be misleading, and are generally more heavily traveled than the Arizona Trail. Pay attention to maps and landmarks.