Passage #8 - Rincon Valley

Location:  Three Bridges to Saguaro National Park

Length:  ~13.3 miles

Southern Trailhead:  Three Bridges - Marsh Station Road
- GPS Coordinates:  32.01988° N, 110.64599° W

Northern Trailhead:  Saguaro National Park - Hope Camp
- GPS Coordinates:  32.13323° N, 110.64900° W

Trail Route Description:  From the Three Bridges area at the north end of the highway bridge on Marsh Station Road the trail heads west and then north across several drainages. It crosses a pipeline road and then goes under some powerlines. From here it climbs up to a saddle and a view of the La Posta Quemada ranch and the south end of Colossal Cave Mountain Park. The trail switchbacks down and then around the ranch to the east. It enters the park and parallels Posta Quemada Canyon past the campground and up to a park road. After crossing the road, it parallels it and then comes to the La Selvilla picnic area. From here it runs north-northwest up to Pistol Hill Road, crosses this road and then the X-9 Ranch Road, and continues up through the Rincon Valley. After passing through a gate just south of Rincon Creek, the trail ends at the boundary of Saguaro National Park. The final half mile up to Hope Camp has not been built yet.

Difficulty:  Easy to Moderate

Season(s):  Fall, Winter and Spring.

Water:  Water can usually be found at Colossal Cave Mountain Park in El Bosquecito Campground and the La Selvilla Picnic Area, and at La Posta Quemada Ranch. There is seasonal water in Rincon Creek.

Notes/Warnings:

• All water along this passage should be purified prior to use.
• A tour through Colossal Cave is an interesting side trip on this passage. There is a fee for the guided tours.

Resources:

• USGS Topographic Maps: Vail, Rincon Peak and Tanque Verde Peak
• Saguaro National Park map.
• BLM Information Center maps.

For more information, contact:

• The Passage Steward
• Cienega Corridor Construction Project, Tucson, AZ   (520) 884-3760.
• Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 16721 E. Old Spanish Trail, Vail, AZ 85641   (520) 647-7275.
• Saguaro National Park, 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ 85730   (520) 733-5142.
• BLM Information Center, One North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004   (602) 417-9300.

Current Trail Information:
1/2008 - As noted above, construction of the very end of this passage is not completed as of this date. Equestrians should check to see if the fences have been gated before planning to ride this passage.