Update on Rincon to Oracle

imported
#1

I just completed the segments from Rincon wash over to Oracle over the holidays, NOBO. Got caught in the snow storms on Mt Mica and Mt Lemmon on seperate days. Was definetly post holing in the snow on both but was able to get through. Only in Az can you be hiking in shorts one day and have on full winter gear the next and then back to shorts the next. There was plenty of water throughout the segments and thank goodness for cairns and posts in a snow storm in poor light conditions (hats off to those who maintain those trails). I had a little trouble finding the trail to Catalina Camp but finally located it NE of the Red Ridge trail junction. Hiked in light snow pack all the way north on Oracle Ridge to High Jinks ranch.

Westbrook

#2

Thanks for the update. I’m heading out from Oracle to Picketpost next week, assuming I couldn’t get over Lemmon. With your report and a few warm days, maybe I’ll try it.

Garlic

#3

I second the thanks for the update. I’m heading out next Friday from the border (we’ll see how it goes).

apple pie

#4

Gralic, Apple Pie - It might be icy in the morning,evenings and shadows after the snow has a chance to wrm up and settle. I was hiking in fresh snow which can be a lot easier. In Canada del Oro, the cairns and markers are hard to see but the main direction is along the creek. Be careful of ice on the rocks as you cross the creek. I have to admit, I slipped and fell couple of times into the water (I know, I’m rock jumping challenged). Have a great hike, its really good country!!!

Apple pie - I also hiked the Canelo Hills from Parker Lake to Patagonia last week. The trail is in good shape and goes through some spectacular country. Parts of it should be a wilderness area. the trail is easy to follow and well marked. Water was not a problem after the Christmas storms in the rock pockets in the washes. All the springs were flowing and Red Bank well was overflowing. There is a great coffee shop in Patagonia next to the book store and hotel in the little line of shops across from the visitor center. Also, if you can, listen to KPUP 100.5 FM radio station. They play the greatist music. Have a great hike.

Westbrook

#5

Music info, coffee shop and water… what more can a girl ask for?

Apple Pie

#6

that is for sure ! I can’t WAIT to go …this girl will be hitting that coffee shop…have a great hike Apple Pie. I look forward to hearing about it.

yappy

#7

Westbrook, how was the Canada del Oro? I was under the impression that there were a lot of downfalls, etc. and that that route wasn’t really being maintained since many people were taking the Oracle Ridge Tr. out of Summerhaven.

Sirena

#8

Sirena,

Canada del Oro was not bad, there was downfall but there had been some chainsaw work near the top of the canyon. I was hiking downstream (NOBO) so it was easy to look for downsloping open areas to walk and then cross the stream to find another clear downsloping area to walk when the previous area played out. The vegetation that is coming in after the fire has long spines so in those dense vegetation areas, they definitly grab. I was also hiking in the snow so I could follow deer tracks and trails but staying close to the stream. The reason I bailed into Canada del Oro was because I wanted to get out of the blizzard on top of Lemmon rather than hiking over to Oracle Ridge through Summerhaven and getting caught up high at night in the snow storm. The ponderosa pines near the headwaters, that were not burnt in the fire, are huge! The largest I have ever seen and quite impressive.

In the snow, the few rock cairns were hard to see so I was never sure if I was on the trail or not. Every once in a while a little round metal trail marker with a backpacker on it that was nailed into a tree would pop up so it gave me a sense that I was going in the right direction. The trail head sign to Dan’s saddle is on the eastside of the the stream and north of where East Fork creek confluences with Canada. Hope this helps.

Westbrook

#9

I came through the Catalinas early December SoBo and they had re-signed the trail completely avoiding Canada de Oro; instead the route went straight to Summerhaven (fire station) by following the remainder of Oracle Ridge. It did leave the question of where to continue SoBo and I took Box Canyon trail to connect to the AZT it became more a game of connecting the dots (cairns) than a trail, but no chance of getting lost (the AZT w.fork) is at the bottom of the slope. flabob

FlaBob