| |
|
view all sites by |
 |
Coronado Hiking Trails |
|
Miller Canyon Trail #106
A fine riparian area, plenty of evidence of the area’s mining past
and good views from the Huachuca Crest are some of the rewards you’ll
reap along this trail. After detouring around a piece of private property,
the trail drops back into Miller Canyon to follow what was once an old
mining road. The trail passes the remains of the townsite of Palmerlee
and a number of abandoned mining digs as it slants steadily up the canyon.
Down in the bed of Miller Creek, which usually has water in it year-round,
you’ll be able to see lengths of the old carbon steel pipe which
were placed here in the nineteenth century to carry water
to the boomtown of Tombstone.
Along lower stretches of the trail, large old sycamore
trees shade the streambed, and sunlight filters down through the
limbs of tall
Douglas-firs. There are a number of bigtooth maples along
the streambed in this area, too, making it a colorful place to visit
in mid to late
October when the leaves of these trees paint the canyon
in hues of orange, red and yellow.
After crossing the stream several times, the trail switchbacks
its way up the north side of the canyon into an area
that was burned by a large forest fire in 1977. Here,
you’ll find
good views down-canyon of the San Pedro Valley and the Mule Mountains
around Bisbee while Miller
Peak stands high above the canyon rim to the southwest.
From this point, the trail continues to climb, visiting the stream
a couple of more times
and passing several more old mine sites before it intersects
the Crest Trail #103 high in the Huachucas.
Attractions:
Views of peaks and valley
Historic mining area
Fall colors
Access to Huachuca Crest
Season: Spring, summer, fall
Length: 3.5 miles
Elevation: 5,800'-8,600
Rating: More difficult
Use: Moderate
USGS Map(s): Miller Peak
Access: Drive south of Sierra Vista on AZ Highway 92
about 9 miles to the Miller Canyon
Road (FR 56). Follow FR 56 to the parking area at the end of the
road.
Notes:
Purification of water is recommended prior to
use.
3.3 miles of this trail 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.
|
