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Coronado Hiking Trails |
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Greaterville Trail #79 & East Sawmill Canyon Trail #146
Greaterville is, or rather was, a small mining town in the
northeastern foothills of the Santa Ritas. Reportedly, it was named
after a pioneer named Greater. Today, it is noticeable only as a couple
of fence lines and cattle guards marked with private property signs
that one must cross to get to the Greaterville Trailhead.
The Greaterville Trail, combined with the East Sawmill
Canyon Trail, provides access from the northeast to Florida Saddle,
one of the
major trail crossroads in the Santa Rita Range. This
saddle marks the beginning of the Crest Trail #144 that leads to
the summit of Mt. Wrightson.
The Greaterville and East Sawmill Canyon trails pass
through an area of rugged, scrub oak-clad ridges and forested canyons
that slope gradually
toward the Santa Ritas. Both offer views to the east,
of the Whetstones and Mustangs, as well as to the west of Mt. Wrightson
and the Santa Rita
Crest. Closer at hand, ponderosa pines, alligator junipers
and Emory, white and silverleaf oaks make up most of the scenery.
This area is good wildlife habitat. There are healthy
populations of Coues white-tailed deer in the area,
and if your eye is sharp enough
to see them before they flush, you might spot some
scaled quail or Montezuma quail. From the western terminus of East
Sawmill
Canyon Trail you can
head north into Florida Canyon, south and east along
Cave Creek Canyon or continue along the Crest Trail
to the top of the Santa Ritas.
Attractions:
Remote setting
Elevation: 5,760'-8,040'
East side access
Historic mines
Season: Year-round (lower elevations only)
Length: 2.5 miles (#79), 4.4 miles (#146)
Rating: More difficult (#79), Most difficult (#146)
Use: Light
USGS Map(s): Mt. Wrightson
Access: Greaterville Trail: Leave Interstate
19 at the Continental Road/Madera Canyon Exit. Turn east
and follow the Madera
Canyon Road 7.3 miles to the FR
62 cutoff. Turn east on FR 62 (Box Canyon Road) and continue
along this scenic drive about 9 miles to FR 229. Turn south
on FR 229. Follow it across the
private property at Greaterville to FR
165 and
turn north and west past Melendrez Pass
to the trailhead at the end of the road.
East Sawmill Canyon Trail: 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
(FR 4084) at about 4
miles around a piece of private property then continue about
7.5 miles to the trailhead. The last 5 miles or so of this road requires
a high
clearance 4-wheel
drive vehicle.
Notes:
1 mile of the Greaterville Trail and 4 miles of the East
Sawmill Canyon Trail are within the Mt. Wrightson Wilderness.
Motorized and mechanical 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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