Passage #9 - Rincon Mountains

Location:  Saguaro National Park to Italian Trap

Length:  21.6 miles

Southern Trailhead:  Saguaro National Park - Hope Camp
- GPS Coordinates:  32.13336° N, 110.64893° W  

Northern Trailhead:  Italian Trap Trailhead - FR 37
- GPS Coordinates:  32.28317° N, 110.56849° W  

Trail Route Description:  From Hope Camp the trail heads north/northwest to the Quilter Trail junction. It follows this trail north and then east over several drainages, reaches a high saddle and then drops down to the junction with the Manning Camp Trail. From here the trail climbs steadily for several miles, passes a trail junction, and then drops down into the Grass Shack Campground. It then climbs continuously for several more miles to the northeast, passes another trail junction, crosses Chimenea Creek, and then comes to Manning Camp. From Manning Camp the trail goes through several trail 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 (current weather forecast)

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:

• The Passage Steward
• Saguaro National Park, 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ 85730   (520) 733-5142.
• Coronado National Forest, Santa Catalina Ranger District, 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Rd., Tucson, AZ 85715   (520) 749-8700.
• BLM Information Center  (602) 417-9300.

Current Trail Information:
2/2012 - Users are reminded that camping permits are required in Saguaro National Park. It is approximately nine miles from the south Park boundary to Grass Shack Campground, 13.8 miles to Manning Camp and 17.7 miles to the north Park boundary, the next camping options northbound. Because of sensitive cultural resources near Hope Camp, strict enforcement of NPS camping regulations is expected. Outstanding camp locations exist along Rincon Creek south of the park boundary. If camping off the AZT right-of-way a State Recreation permit is required.