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Coronado Hiking Trails |
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Turtle Mountain Trail #219 & Brushy Canyon Trail #355
Turtle Mountain Trail offers a primitive route to the summit of soaring Monte
Vista Peak out of Sycamore Canyon. It can be combined with the Monte Vista
Trail #221 and the Brushy Canyon Trail, in appropriately named Brushy Canyon,
to form a loop through this high and scenic region of the southern Chiricahuas.
The Turtle Mountain Trail is exceptionally steep in a number of places, especially
where it climbs up and over the rocky rim of Sycamore Canyon. At times you
may find yourself feeling that its name comes as much from the pace one is
able to set in traveling it as it derives from the shape of nearby Turtle
Mountain.
After you climb out of Sycamore’s inner gorge, scramble to a steep saddle
and curve around the northwestern shoulder of Turtle Mountain, 9,357 foot Monte
Vista Peak comes into view and stays there for the rest of the journey to its
summit. When you reach the summit, you will have a view of a panorama that
stretches well into Mexico and encompasses much of southeastern Arizona and
a healthy portion of southwestern New Mexico.
To turn your journey into a round trip, you can return the way you came or
drop down the Monte Vista Trail into North Fork Canyon. That way you’ll
get to enjoy one last look at all those great views. From the end of the
Monte Vista Trail, travel down North Fork Road about one half mile to Brushy
Canyon Trailhead. The Brushy Canyon Trail goes up and over a divide into
Brushy Canyon on its way back to the Turtle Mountain Trailhead in Sycamore
Canyon.
Attractions: Season: Spring, summer
International views Length: 12.7 mile
loop (including Monte Vista Tr.)
Get in shape Elevation: 6,010'-9,240'
Mexico to Canada diversity Rating: Most
difficult (Primitive trails)
Loop route (with Monte Vista Trail) Use: Light
Access to Crest Trail USGS Map(s): Chiricahua
Peak
Access: From Tucson, take I-10 east 72
miles to US 191. Turn right (south) and drive 29 miles
to the turnoff to Rucker Lake. Turn left (east) and drive
17 miles to the Forest boundary. Continue on FR 74 for
5 miles to FR 74E. Turn left (north) on FR 74E and drive
2 miles to FR 4244. Turn left (north) on FR 4244 and go
to end of road.
From Douglas, take Leslie Canyon Road north to Rucker Canyon. Stay on the main
road, which becomes FR 74 at the Forest boundary. Continue on FR 74 for 5
miles To FR 74E. Turn left (north) on FR 74E and drive 2 miles to FR 4244.
Turn left (north) on FR 4244 and go to end of road.
Notes:
The Turtle Mountain Trail is 6.6 miles long (6.4 miles in the Chiricahua Wilderness).
The Brushy Trail is 2.9 miles long (2.4 miles in Chiricahua 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.
These trails are hot and dry and there are no reliable water sources along
them.
Both Turtle Mountain and Brushy Canyon trails are designated primitive and
receive minimum maintenance. They are not recommended for stock.
Before using this trail, call the Douglas Ranger District for a report on current
trail conditions which can vary with season, weather and maintenance status.
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