Passage #14 - Black Hills
Location: Tiger Mine Trailhead to Freeman Road
Length: 27.4 miles
Southern Trailhead: Tiger Mine Trailhead - Tiger Mine Road
- GPS Coordinates: 32.65044° N, 110.73150° W
Northern Trailhead: Freeman Road
- GPS Coordinates: 32.87109° N, 110.88256° W
Trail Route Description: From the Tiger Mine Trailhead
the trail proceeds in a twisting NNW direction for approximately 5.5 miles
until reaching a 3-way pipeline road intersection. Over this section you will
descend into and cross several distinct washes, all of which are about a mile
apart; eventually reaching the largest wash, which is Tucson Wash. After
climbing out of Tucson Wash the trail will gently curve around to a true north
direction as you traverse several ridges, one gate, a dirt road, and soon
arrive at the pipeline intersection. At this junction, there will be a large
white steel gate on the east side signifying private land owned by El Paso
Gas.
The newly constructed trail now continues in a twisting northerly direction
for approximately 10.5 miles to the confluence of Camp Grant and Bloodsucker
Washes. Over this distance you will traverse many water drainages, unique
rock formations, and 360° scenic views as you climb up and over the
ridge line of the Black Hills. Antelope Peak will consistently be the
prominent landmark as the trail meanders northward, as will the Superstitions
and Pinal Mountains. To the east lies the entire Galiuro Mtn. Range and the
San Pedro River with Mt Graham (10,720’) in the background. Looking to the
south will be both the Rincon and Santa Catalina Mountains, with Mt Lemmon
at 9,160’. When viewing to the east you will get a good idea of the how
expansive the Sonoran Desert is as it transitions from low to high desert.
Traversing this 10.5 mile section, you will pass through 3 cowboy style gates,
cross 5 ranch dirt roads, and possibly observe many nearby old cattle tanks,
broken wind mills, and abandoned wells. Near the middle of this stretch and
within view from long distances is a large active water tank, named
Mountainview Tank. Water is pumped up to this 40K gallon tank from lower
wells, which then gravity feeds numerous smaller tanks across many miles of
the cattle ranch. Once past the tank area and for the next 2 miles, the
trail crosses one more ranch road and winds around numerous drainages and
smaller ridge lines. There is ample signage, both cairns and carsonites,
to assist in traversing this decomposed granite terrain as the trail gently
turns to the west and climbs to a high ridge line. Most likely, you will
have cattle for company; they too like the elevation and cooler breezes
this ridge provides. This is the final ridge before dropping down to the
confluence of Camp Grant and Bloodsucker Washes. At this point the trail
drops directly into the ever changing wash, crosses to a ‘tree like island’
and then traverses the rest of the confluence, with numerous carsonite
signage, until reaching a two track ranch road.
Continue on the road as it bends around to the west; there will be several
gates to pass through before the trail eventually leaves the road and drops
down to Beehive Well and Tank, on the edge of Putnam Wash. The trail now
heads northwest in Putnam Wash for a short distance, exiting to the northeast,
crosses several ridges, then descends into Dobson Wash and nearby Antelope
Tank. After another gate and road crossing, it continues northwest as it
circles around on the east and north side of Antelope Peak, then descends
to a two-track. It now catches another two-track and heads north for
approximately 1 mile, crosses Freeman Road and turns west, goes through
one more gate, and then reaches Freeman Road TH.
Difficulty: Moderate
Season(s): Fall, Winter and Spring (current weather forecast)
Water: Water sources are very limited along this passage. Water can sometimes be found at Mountainview Tank, Cowhead Well and Beehive Well. All man made water tanks and sources can only be used with the consent of the owner.
Notes/Warnings:
- All water along this passage should be purified prior to use.
- Although this passage crosses State Trust Land, a permit is not required as long as you are on or near the Arizona Trail.
Resources:
- USGS Topographic Maps: Mammoth, North of Oracle, Putnam Wash and Black Mountain.
- BLM Information Center maps.
For more information, contact:
- The Passage Steward
- Arizona State Land Department, 1616 W. Adams St., Phoenix, AZ 85007 (602) 542-2506.
- BLM Information Center (602) 417-9300.
Current Trail Information: