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Coronado Hiking Trails |
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Oracle Ridge Trail #1
This trail is listed as #1 for some very good reasons.
First, it follows one of the earliest known routes to the top of
Mt. Lemmon.
Second, it is believed to be the trail that John and
Sara Lemmon followed, in the early 1880’s, on their trip to the summit of the mountain
which was later named in Sara’s honor. This trail is reportedly
where biologist Lemmon saw his first Arizona pine. Actually a subspecies
or variety of ponderosa pine, this was the first of roughly 100 plant
species and subspecies Lemmon catalogued in the state’s southern
mountains.
In spite of the fact that the Oracle Ridge Trail has
been traveled for so long a time, it is quite hard
to follow in a number of
places. One reason is that the area through which it
passes has long been a center of mining and prospecting activity.
As a result,
old mining
roads and bulldozer paths have obscured the trail in
several places. If you’re a history buff, you’ll appreciate the old and not-so-old
mines you encounter along this route. If your interests tend toward more
natural sights, you’ll probably spend more time taking in the
views which stretch to the north, east and west. The Oracle Ridge Trail
passes
very near the summit of Rice Peak and relatively near the
summit of Apache Peak. These promontories offer good views of Mt. Lemmon
and the Santa
Catalinas, as well as of the historic mining district around
the town of Oracle and the basin and range landscape beyond.
Attractions:
Ridgetop panoramas
North, east, and west views'
Pine forest to desert diversity
Historic mining area
Arizona Trail segment
Season: Spring, summer, fall
Length: 11.5 miles
Elevation: 4,800'-9,000
Rating: More difficult
Use: Light
USGS Map(s): Oracle SE, Mt. Bigelow
Access: From Tucson: Take the Catalina Highway off Tanque
Verde Road. Drive 4.2 miles to the Forest
boundary and continue 25 miles to a point past the Loma
Linda Picnic Area, where the Control Road (FR
38) turns right and passes the Mt. Lemmon
Fire Station. Follow this road straight, past the fire station
and down the ridge.
Just beyond the first
cattle guard, the trail leaves a parking
area on the left side of the road and cuts through a notch in the
ridge.
From Oracle: Follow the Oracle
Highway through the town of Oracle to the Old Mt.
Lemmon
Road (also called the Control Road and FR
38). Follow this route south at a fork
where signs point the way to the YMCA Camp
and Boys Camp. It’s about 1 mile on this all-weather
dirt road to the trailhead marked “Arizona Trail” near
a corral on the right side of the road.
Use the Cody Trail #9 (part of
the Arizona Trail) to gain access to
the Oracle Ridge Trail.
Notes:
This trail can be hard to follow in places.
Use a topographic map and a compass.
There are no reliable water sources
along this trail!
Old mining shafts may be unstable
and not safe to enter.
When hiking in remote areas, go
with a companion whenever possible.
Always tell someone where
you’ve gone
and when you expect to return.
Before using this trail, call
the Santa Catalina Ranger District
for current trail conditions
which can vary with
season, weather and
maintenance status.
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