| |
|
view all sites by |
 |
Coronado Hiking Trails |
|
Comfort Springs Trail #109
This trail departs from the Ramsey Vista Campground and
follows a course that offers good views of upper Carr Canyon, with
its weathered
pinnacles and crinkled rock strata, and of upper Ramsey
Canyon with its emerald green riparian area. The trail starts out
through an old
burn caused by a careless camper in 1977. Here, it wanders
among stumps and rocks where there were once trees and flowery meadows.
The wildflowers
have started to come back and so have the trees, but
this should give you some idea of how much damage can come from one
moment of thoughtlessness.
The trail enters the trees again at the edge of the burn
just before it begins its drop into Ramsey Canyon. The old mining
town of Hamburg
was located in this canyon and you’ll see evidence of it and
of the mines that supported it as you travel.
Many hikers connect with the Hamburg Trail #122 and follow
this trail all the way through to the Nature Conservancy’s Ramsey
Canyon Preserve (horses are not permitted within the Preserve). If you
can arrange for someone to drive a shuttle for you and can be fairly
accurate about how long it will take you to hike through, you can be
picked up at the Nature Conservancy visitor center in Ramsey Canyon.
Remember, you’ll need a free permit to cross Nature Conservancy
property and an advance parking reservation if you intend
to park a car at the Ramsey Canyon Preserve (602-378-2785). Another
alternative, of
course, is to turn around and hike back to where you started.
A good way of doing that is to bring your backpacking gear and spend
the night
before making the return trip.
Attractions:
Great views
Access to beautiful canyon
Historic mining district
Watchable wildlife
Down-mountain hike (with shuttle)
Season: All year
Length: 2.3 miles
Elevation: 6,700'-7,450'
Rating: More difficult
Use: Light
USGS Map(s): Miller Peak
Access: Drive 7 miles south from Sierra Vista on AZ
Highway 92 to Carr Canyon Road (FR 368).
Follow FR 368 to the Ramsey Vista Campground and Comfort Springs
Trailhead
at the end of the road (7.8 miles).
Notes:
The Comfort Springs Trail provides access
to the Hamburg Trail #122. Please note
however, that horses are not
permitted on the northern end of the
Hamburg Trail which is located within the Nature
Conservancy Preserve.
There is a horse corral available at
the Ramsey Vista Campground.
This trail is located within the Miller
Peak 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 Sierra Vista Ranger District
for current trail conditions
which can vary
with season, weather and maintenance
status.
|
