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Coronado Hiking Trails |
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Cave Canyon Trail #149
Cave Canyon Trail leads from Cave Creek Basin to Florida
Saddle and the northern end of the Santa Rita Crest. Florida Saddle
is one of the two main trail hubs
in the Santa Ritas. Trails radiate from it to virtually every corner of the
mountain range. Cave Canyon Trail is one of two major trails that provide
access to this spectacular high country from the east. The other
is Gardner Trail
#143 which is located a few miles to the south. These two little-used trails
are connected via the Crest Trail #144 and Super Trail #134 along the top
of the mountain range and via a short trail called the Cave Gardner
Cutoff Trail
#10 which provides a path between their two access roads. (While we’re
talking about access, please note that the road leading to the Cave Creek
Trailhead requires a high clearance vehicle, especially when the stream has
water in
it.) A loop can be put together using Cave Canyon and Gardner Canyon trails
and various combinations of other high country trails (See the Guide sheet
on Gardner Trail #143).
The climb up Cave Canyon Trail is relatively steep, so
you’ll most
likely find yourself enjoying the view as you take time out to catch your
breath or
rest your horse. From the heights of the trail, the smooth, muscular-looking
slopes of the Mustang Mountains stand out across the broad lower Cave Creek
Valley. North of the Mustangs lie the Whetstones, and beyond is the San Pedro
Valley.
Farther south, the horizon is defined by the massive Huachucas capped by 9,466-foot
Miller Peak.
The high slopes of the Santa Ritas are home to a forest
that varies according to aspect (the direction it faces) and altitude.
Forest communities range
from scrub oak and high desert pinyon-juniper woodlands on lower or south-facing
slopes, to stands of ponderosa, Arizona and Chihuahua pines and Douglas-fir
on higher
or north-facing slopes. This diverse ecosystem provides excellent wildlife
habitat for large animals such as Coues white-tailed deer, black bear and
an
occasional
mountain lion. Smaller animals such as Arizona gray squirrels and a number
of songbirds and hawks are usually easier to see and, unless you’re a
hunter with a particular quarry in mind, just as rewarding.
Attractions:
Remote trail/forested setting
Short route to the top
Access to eastern slopes of the mountain
Loop possibilities
Season: All year
Length: 2 miles
Elevation: 6,200'-7,800'
Rating: More difficult
Use: Light
USGS Map(s): Mt. Wrightson
Access: At an intersection 21 miles south of Interstate
10 and 4 miles north of Sonoita on AZ 83, turn
west onto Gardner Canyon Road (FR 92).
Keep to
the left at three-quarters of a mile and take the right fork
at 4 miles around a
piece of private property. Continue a total of 10.3 miles
to the trailhead at the end of the road.
Notes:
2.0 miles of this trail are within the Mt. Wrightson
Wilderness.
Motorized and mechanized vehicles and equipment,
including mountain bikes, are not permitted in
Wilderness. See the Wilderness section
of this guide
for more
wilderness rules and ethics.
Before visiting this trail, call the Nogales Ranger District
for current trail conditions which can vary with season,
weather and maintenance
status
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