Passage #3 - Canelo Hills West

Location:  Canelo Pass to Patagonia

Length:  17.4 miles

Southern Trailhead:  Canelo Pass - FR 799
- GPS Coordinates:  31.51291° N, 110.55819° W

Northern Trailhead:  Patagonia - Hwy 82
- GPS Coordinates:  31.54165° N, 110.75188° W

Trail Route Description:  From the Canelo Pass Trailhead the trail runs generally westward as it climbs over a 5,600' saddle and drops into the upper end of Meadow Valley. It continues west through Redrock Canyon, passing Down Under Tank and the Cott Tank Environmental Exclosure, before arriving at Red Bank Well. Turning north, the trail passes close to Gate Spring, passes Red Rock Road (4-WD), and then continues through hills and oak and manzanita growth before dropping down to the trailhead on Harshaw Road (FR 58). From here the route follows Harshaw Road for about 3 miles and ends at the Post Office in Patagonia.

Difficulty:  Moderate

Season(s):  Fall, Winter and Spring.

Water:  Water is intermittent and can be scarce, depending on rainfall in the area. Plan to bring your own water, but stock water may be available at Down Under Tank, Cott Tank Exclosure (up the canyon to the south of the trail), and Gate Spring (off the trail to the south about 100 yards). Red Bank Well generally has water, as it is an important cattle watering location, and uses a solar powered pump.

Notes/Warnings:

• Trail is designed for hiking, mountain bikes, and horseback use.
• Cattle grazing occurs along this entire passage. Please leave all gates as you find them (closed or open).
• Mines are located near some of the trail routes and are marked. Please stay on the trail.
• All water along this passage should be purified prior to use.

Resources:

• USGS Topographic Maps: O'Donnell Canyon, Mount Hughes and Patagonia.
• Coronado National Forest map.
• 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.

Current Trail Information:
4/2008 - Watch carefully for illegal trails in the ~3 miles beginning near Gate Spring.