Passage #9 - Rincon Mountains
This passage is still under construction.
See below for more information.
Location: Saguaro National Park to Italian Trap
Length: ~22.3 miles
Southern Trailhead: Saguaro National Park - Hope Camp
- GPS Coordinates: 32.13323° N, 110.64900° W
Northern Trailhead: Italian Trap Trailhead - FR 37
- GPS Coordinates: 32.28317° N, 110.56849° W
Trail Route Description: There is no trail from the northern
end of the Rincon Valley Passage near Hope Camp into Saguaro National
Park as of Winter 2008. The goal is to get Saguaro National Park
officials approval for a 4 mile connector trail from Hope Camp to the
Manning Camp Trail just north of the old Madrona Ranger station.
But until that link is approved and built, trail users are advised to enter
the Park at the Visitor Center and follow the Tanque Verde Ridge trail.
It climbs up along a ridge, crosses Tanque Verde Peak and then descends
to Cow Head Saddle. At Cow Head Saddle, resume climbing to the east on
the Cow Head Saddle Trail to Manning Camp. (Note: Horses are
prohibited on the Tanque Verde Ridge trail so equestrians will need
to take the Douglas Springs Trail to Cow Head Saddle.)
From Manning Camp the trail
goes through several junctions on the way to Mica Mountain and then it
starts down the other side of the Rincon Mountains. It passes Italian
Spring and begins dropping fairly steeply through an old burn area.
After passing the wilderness boundary the trail works its way along a
ridgeline and then descends to the Italian Trap Trailhead.
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Season(s): All year (snow can be present at higher elevations after winter
storms and lower elevations can be quite warm in summer).
Water: Water can be found seasonally in the following locations:
Chimenea Creek, Grass Shack Campground, Madrona Canyon, Manning Camp and
Italian Spring. Check with local agencies for current information.
Notes/Warnings:
-
All water along this passage should be purified prior to use.
-
Mountain bikes are prohibited in the Rincon Mountain Wilderness.
-
Saguaro National Park prohibits backcountry camping. Permits and
reservations are required to stay at both the Grass Shack and Manning
Campgrounds. Contact the Saguaro National Park for details.
Resources:
-
USGS Topographic Maps: Tanque Verde Peak, Mica Mountain and Piety Hill.
-
Saguaro National Park map.
-
Rincon Mountain Wilderness map.
-
Coronado National Forest map.
-
BLM Information Center maps.
For more information, contact:
Current Trail Information:
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