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Coronado Hiking Trails |
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Crest Trail #270 (Barfoot Lookout to Wilderness Boundary)
The Crest Trail is actually a system of trails, spurs and
side loops that sits like an inverted “Y” on the central
ridge of the Chiricahuas. To make the job of describing
this trail network a bit more manageable, we have broken it up into
three parts.
The northernmost segment of the Crest Trail is the only
portion which is outside the Chiricahua Wilderness.
A variety of outstanding views is just one of the features
you’ll find along this portion of the Chiricahua mountain range’s
longest trail. It wanders through wildflower-carpeted meadows
and dense stands of pine and fir as it winds along the backbone ridge
of the Chiricahuas.
The course it follows extends between a trailhead on FR
357 just west of the junction with FR 42D, and the northern boundary
of the Chiricahua
Wilderness near Flys Peak. Most people, however, access
the trail from the main trailhead located on the west side of the loop
road at the end
of Rustler Park Campground.
Barfoot Lookout on the summit of Buena Vista Peak provides
marvelous views a short but steep climb from this trail’s northern
end. If you come from the Rustler Park Trailhead, it is
a little over 1.5 miles to views which include the dramatic profile
of Cochise Head,
the sheer bluffs of Barfoot Peak, Cave Creek Canyon and
Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoons.
Heading south from the Rustler Park Campground, the
trail leads through forests draped with Spanish moss
and carpeted with bracken fern. At Bootlegger Saddle, 1.4 miles
from the campground,
there are
more good views and a number of connecting trails.
From here it is about a mile to the northern boundary
of the Chiricahua Wilderness. Centella
Point, Chiricahua Peak and Flys Peak, are within
easy distance along connecting trails. Even Monte Vista
Peak, with its
marvelous vistas,
is a long but manageable day trip along the Crest.
Attractions:
Great views
Several possible destinations
High country access
Forested trail
Campground trailhead
Season: Spring, summer, fall
Length: 4 miles
Elevation: 8,100'-9,100'
Rating: More difficult
Use: Heavy
USGS Map(s): Rustler Park
Access: From Tucson, take I-10 east 81 miles. Turn
right (south) on AZ 186 and continue
for 23 miles. Turn left (east) on AZ 181 toward Chiricahua
National Monument and drive 4 miles, then turn
right (south) on FR 42. Continue up Pinery Canyon 12
miles to FR 42D. Drive about 2.5 miles to the
Rustler Park Campground. The trailhead is located
on the west side of the campground
near site #6.
Forest Roads 42 and 42D are gravel roads suitable
for passenger vehicles. Open from
April through November, they are not plowed and are
usually closed following early or
late season snowstorms. These roads are rough and
dusty and may be muddy
and slick after a rain.
Notes:
Best views are from Barfoot Lookout
and Bootlegger Saddle.
Pack and saddle stock are not allowed
overnight in campgrounds.
Before using this trail, call
the Douglas Ranger District
for a report on current trail conditions which
can vary with
season, weather
and
maintenance
status.
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