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Coronado Hiking Trails |
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Hunter Canyon Trail #111 & Clark Spring Trail #124
These two trails contour along the east slope of the Huachucas,
connecting three of the major canyons that cut that side of the mountain
range. By doing so, they not only provide alternate access to trails
that lead into those canyons, but offer excellent opportunities in
their own right for easy day trips along the lower slopes of the mountain
range with scenic views of the San Pedro Valley and the mountains beyond.
Hunter Canyon Trail begins at Kelly Spring and leads
up and over a saddle into Miller Canyon. This trail
offers good views of Miller
Canyon, Miller Peak, the San Pedro Valley and the Mule
Mountains near Bisbee. Along this part of the trail
you’ll
see evidence of the day when this area was humming with mining activity
and literally crawling
with miners.
From the Hunter Canyon/Miller Canyon trail junction,
you’ll have
to follow Miller Canyon Trail #106 about a half mile down to the Clark
Spring Trailhead. This trail contours around the mountain along a slope
of granite gravel so loose you’ll feel like you’re traveling
along the side of a huge sand dune. Ponderosa pines, junipers
and oaks manage to cling to this steep, unstable slope helping to hold
it in place.
Good views of the sheer rock face of the Dragoon Mountains
will catch your eye here. At Clark Spring there is cool shade, a good
view of Carr
Canyon and birdwatching worth bringing your binoculars
for. The trail then enters Carr Canyon and ends at a trailhead on the
Carr Canyon Road.
Attractions:
Short and easy (especially Clark Spring)
Good views
Watchable wildlife
Mining ruins
Season: All year
Length: 1.4 miles (#111), 1.7 miles (#124)
Rating: More difficult (#111), easy (#124)
Elevation: 5,600'-6,125'
Use: Light
USGS Map(s): Miller Peak
Access: Hunter Canyon Trail: Drive 11 miles south
of Sierra Vista to Hunter Canyon Road (FR
367). Follow FR 367 one mile west to a sign that points the way
along a 4-wheel drive road that leads up
a side canyon to Kelly Spring and the
Hunter Canyon Trailhead.
Clark Spring Trail: Drive south of Sierra
Vista on AZ Highway 92 about 9 miles
to the Miller Canyon
Road (FR 56). Follow FR 56 to the
picnic ground and trailhead
at the end of the road (2.5 miles).
Clark Spring Trail is also accessible via the Carr Canyon
Road, FR 368.
Notes:
Portions of both of these trails are 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.
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