Passage #9 - Rincon Mountains

Location:  Saguaro National Park to Italian Trap

Length:  ~24 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:  The trail at the beginning of this passage is not completed yet. There is ongoing construction from Hope Camp in Saguaro National Park as of Winter 2009/10. When completed the new section of trail will run from Hope Camp to the Manning Camp Trail north of the old Madrona Ranger station.
Until that link is 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:

• 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:
2/2010 - As noted above, the trail is not finished yet from Hope Camp to the Manning Camp Trail as of this date.