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Coronado Hiking Trails |
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Palisade Trail #99
You’ll enjoy good views and get a tour of most of the biological
life zones which grace the slopes of the Santa Catalinas
along this moderate to more difficult trail. From its upper terminus
at Showers Point Group
Campground, Palisade Trail starts out through stands of
old-growth ponderosa pine and drops down the ridge which separates
Palisade and Pine canyons.
Upper sections of the trail are shaded and carpeted with
pine needles. Views through the trees extend into both canyons and
to the Sabino Basin
below. In the distance, the city of Tucson spreads across
the broad Tucson Basin.
Mud Springs is the only reliable water source along the
Palisade Trail, and after dropping into Pine Canyon to visit it the
trail sidehills
back to the ridge to treat you to expansive views of
Pine Canyon, parts of the central canyons of the Santa Catalinas
and the Front Range. Below
Mud Springs, the trail drops into lower Pine Canyon down
a two-mile series of steep but solid switchbacks which tend to be
brushy and rocky for
much of their length. The trail can be hard to find in
this area.
From trail’s end at the junction with the East Fork Trail #24A,
you can either return the way you came or turn left to
the Bear Canyon Trail #29 or turn right to the Sabino Canyon Trail
#23 to trailheads
in the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area.
Attractions:
A trail full of views
Mountains to desert diversity
Access to Sabino Basin
Watchable Wildlife
Arizona Trail segment
Season: All year (see notes)
Length: 6.2 miles
Elevation: 4,100'-7,800'
Rating: More difficult
Use: Moderate
USGS Map(s): Mt. Bigelow, Sabino Canyon
Access: Take the Catalina Highway off Tanque Verde
Road in Tucson. Drive 4.2 miles to
the Forest boundary and continue 19 miles to Organization
Ridge Road just downhill from the Palisade
Visitor Information
Center. Turn left here and drive
a quarter mile down the Organization Ridge road to the trailhead
parking area. Trailhead parking
is not available
in the campground. The Catalina Highway
is paved and
suitable for passenger cars but it
may be snow-covered in winter when chains
or 4-wheel drive
may be required. In winter, Organization
Ridge Road is closed, so you’ll
have to hike about a quarter mile
to the trailhead.
Notes:
5.1 miles of this trail are within the Pusch Ridge
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.
Water is available at Mud Springs
only. Purification of water
is recommended prior to use.
Winter can bring heavy snows
and summer can be very hot
on this trail.
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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