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Coronado Hiking Trails |
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Josephine Canyon Trail #133
This trail not only provides a great hike or ride, but
the drive to the trailhead is well worth taking in its own right.
That
drive leads through a scenic countryside steeped in history
that’s
dotted with ranches, mines and ghost towns. The temptation
is great to do a lot of exploring along the way, but the signs that
tell you
not to trespass are serious. Look and enjoy and keep
on driving.
Once you get to the Josephine Canyon Trail you should
really be primed for a great trip, and you won’t be disappointed. The
trail follows Josephine Creek for much of its journey, and if the creek
is running you’ll be treated to waterfalls and cascades flowing
through a riparian area lush with greenery. Keep an eye out for nature’s
residents here. Deer are quite plentiful in the area and
are usually very cooperative in remaining watchably still. Other animals
you might
see among the grapevines and sycamores include javelina
and coatimundi and, of course, the members of the diverse songbird
population for which
the Santa Ritas are famous.
The trail steepens as the canyon climbs the mountainside,
with an occasional switchback thrown in for good measure.
Mt. Wrightson and Josephine Peak loom larger on the horizon
as you get closer to them,
while Mt. Hopkins with its observatory shining in the
sun dominates the view to the west. As you near Josephine Saddle,
turn
around and look
at the canyon you’ve just traveled; it frames good views of the
Sonoita area and the Patagonia Mountains. Once you reach
Josephine Saddle, you can choose from a number of trails that lead
to the summit of Mt.
Wrightson, into Madera Canyon or Temporal Gulch.
Attractions:
Beautiful canyon
Historic ranching/mining area
Watchable wildlife
Access to Mt. Wrightson
Scenic drive to trailhead
Season: Spring, summer, fall
Length: 2.8 miles
Elevation: 5,180'-7,100'
Rating: More difficult
Use: Light
USGS Map(s): Mt. Wrightson
Access: From 4th Avenue and AZ Hwy 82 in Patagonia drive
north 2 blocks and turn left on Pennsylvania
Avenue. Cross Sonoita Creek and continue west
through the Nature Conservancy area
to the National
Forest boundary where the road you’re traveling
becomes FR 143. Bear left on FR 143
at the Squaw Gulch intersection. Continue
to Alto Townsite then beyond 2 more
miles to
a point where FR 143 turns left
onto Bull Springs Road. Continue straight
on
FR 4082 about 2 miles to the trailhead.
If you don’t have a 4-wheel
drive vehicle, it may be best to walk
these last two miles.
Notes:
2.3 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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