SADDLEBROOKE HIKING CLUB HIKE DATABASE Updated – 6/10/08 GENERAL INFORMATION: All hikes leave from the left front parking lot in front of the Mountain View Clubhouse (just east of the tennis courts) unless otherwise noted. Voluntary driver donations, shown at the end of the hike descriptions, include $1.00 for entry/parking fees where required, $.07 per mile driven, and an extra $.02 per mile for dirt roads. The $1.00 donation towards the entry fee is paid to the driver who pays the entrance fee or the holder of the Park Pass used for entrance. There may be additional fees for hike shuttles, entry to areas such as National Parks, Monuments, Wilderness Areas, Special Tours and Exhibits, some State Parks, and for overnight stays, etc. These fees will be outlined by the Hiking Guide. Hiking Guides are urged to split costs between drivers for drop-offs and/or unequal passenger loads. HIKE RATINGS, PACE and ELEVATION CHANGE: A Hikes >14 miles or >3000 feet climb B Hikes >8 to 14 miles or >1500 to 3000 feet climb C Hikes >4 to 8 miles or >500 to 1500 feet climb D Hikes <4 to 4 miles or < 500 to 500 feet climb Leisurely Pace: Average speed of hike less than 1.5 MPH Slow Pace: Average speed of hike 1.50 MPH to 2.0 MPH Moderate Pace: Average speed of hike 2.0 MPH to 2.5 MPH Fast Pace: Average speed of hike 2.5 MPH Elevation change is the net change in elevation obtained from subtracting the starting elevation from the highest point reached in feet. Elevation change (gps) is the accumulated gain in elevation (sum of all upward stretches of the hike) obtained from a Global Positioning System (gps). GPS measurements are a more accurate measure of hike difficulty then net elevation. Elevation loss (gps) may also be used to indicate accumulated loss on primarily downhill hikes. HIKES: Agua Caliente Hill from Redington Pass Road Rateing B Drive out Redington pass Road for 4.8 miles (dirt). Park near some corrals on the left. Go through the gate onto FR#4441. If you can't go through the gate, then go under the barb wire fence. Hike up the old 4WD road #4441. There is lots of ups and downs, and rocky areas. In about a 1/2 mile you cross a stream, which may or may not be running; continue with more up and down. A sign indicates that in 3 more miles there is a locked gate and private land. It's a total of about 3 1/2 miles to this point from the car. Elevation change is approximately 800 ft.. leave at ; round trip drive 96 miles (dirt, and high clearance vehicles); driver donation $7.00. Agua Caliente Hill and Canyon Exploratory. Rating A-. We will hike the Agua Caliente Trail from the Camino Remuda Trailhead to the saddle then climb to the summit of Agua Caliente Hill. From the saddle the climb to the summit starts in earnest and increases in intensity the last 1 ½ miles with loose rock, gravel, and small boulders. We reach a false summit about halfway up this section. From the true summit we will enjoy panoramic views in all directions, including the Catalinas, Rincons, Galiuros, and Pinalenos. We then ascend to the saddle, then head northeast on a merging trail toward Agua Caliente Canyon. Our return route will include about 1 ½ miles through Agua Caliente Canyon, beginning with high narrow walls and scrambling over boulders and dry waterfalls. There are likely to be pools of water beneath the dry waterfalls. From the mouth of the canyon we will walk on the road for about a mile to the Horsehead Rd. trailhead. Hike ~10 miles; elevation change 2,580 feet; starting elevation 2,920 feet; leave at a.m.; driver donation $6.00. Agua Caliente Hill. Rating C & B. This hike has great panoramic views of Tucson, the Rincon Mountains and the Santa Catalina Mountains. From the trailhead the trail starts climbing immediately with good views of Tucson. The trail continues up and down for approximately 2 miles to a water hole. The C hike turns around here; 4 miles round trip, elevation change 1000 ft. From the water hole the trail climbs and then drops into awash. It is a steep climb to a ridge and junction with old jeep Forest Service road #4445, about 3 miles from the trailhead. It is another 1.5 miles to the top of Aqua Caliente Hill. The B hike 6-9 miles; elevation change 2700 ft.; starting elevation 2500 ft.; leave at ; round trip drive 75 miles; driver donation $5.00. Alamo Canyon. Rating D. We will begin the hike at the Romero Ruins trailhead. Other than one short area by the wash, the elevation change is gradual. This is a lovely hike up to the Alamo Canyon Falls. There may be water if we have had recent rains. We will stop by the Romero Ruins and take the informative loop trail. Hike 3.4 miles; elevation change 423 (gps) feet; starting elevation 2700 feet; leave at a.m.; round trip drive 24 miles; driver donation $3.00. Alamo Canyon to the Water Tank. Rating C. This hike begins at the Romero Ruins trailhead. Elevation change is gradual. We will hike from the ruins through Alamo Canyon. There maybe water at the canyon. We will then go around, down and up and down again to a non-used large water tank. Trail is rocky in some areas. We can return one of three ways of equal distance. Hike 6.5 miles; elevation change 1050 feet (gps). Leave at a.m.; round trip drive 24 miles; driver donation $3.00. American Flag. Rating C. This hike begins at the American Flag trailhead on the old Mt. Lemmon Road and covers a section of the Arizona Trail. We take the American Flag/Cody Trail to the intersection of the Oracle Ridge Trail where we have great views of Biosphere II and the Tortolitas to the west. On the return, we may swing by the grounds of La Casa del High Jinks, the site where Bill Cody staked his gold mine in 1912. (We may tour the unique stone house if the owner is home.) Hike 7.4 miles; elevation change 1200 feet; starting elevation 4400 feet; leave at a.m.; round trip drive 41 miles; driver donation $3.00. American Flag to Saddle. Rating B. This hike begins at the American Flag trailhead on the old Mt. Lemmon Road and covers a section of the Arizona Trail. We take the American Flag/Cody Trail to the intersection of the Oracle Ridge Trail where we have great views of Biosphere II and the Tortolitas to the west. We follow the ridge south were we will lunch in a saddle at the top of Camp Bonita Canyon on the northwest side of Apache Peak. On the return, we may swing by the grounds of La Casa del High Jinks, the site where Bill Cody staked his gold mine in 1912. (We may tour the unique stone house if the owner is home.) Hike 9 miles; elevation change 1800 feet; starting elevation 4400 feet; leave at a.m.; round trip drive 41 miles; driver donation $3.00. American Flag to Windmill. Rating C. From the American Flag Trailhead the route proceeds in a northerly direction across National Forest and State Trust Land, crossing Webb Road and continuing to Oracle State Park. After traveling 1.7 miles through the park it crosses the Cottonwood Wash and continues on to a Wind Mill after another .3 mile. We will stop and have a snack or lunch here and return via the same route. This route is fairly level and travels through Desert Grasslands that are part of the upper Sonoran Desert. Expansive views of the Galiuro Mountains. Hike 8.7 miles; elevation change 350 feet; starting elevation 4400 feet; leave at a.m.; round trip drive 41 miles; driver donation $3.00. Antelope Peak. Rating C. This hike starts 1.5 miles off Freeman Road northwest of Oracle. This area has great views of surrounding terrain and has numerous Hedgehog cacti. Native animals are often seen in this area. Be sure to bring sunscreen due to the exposure. High clearance vehicles are required. Hike 4-5 miles; elevation change 900 feet; starting elevation 4100 feet; leave at a.m.; round trip drive 72 miles (dirt); driver donation $6.00. Anza Trail/Rio Rico Section. Rating C-. We will hike along the east side of Santa Cruz River. (No river crossing required). The Rio Rico section of the Anza Trail opened in December 2002. The sensory experience begins as soon as you exit your vehicle, with the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds that promise to add an idyllic soundtrack for this walk. This part of the Anza trail has not been discovered by a lot of hikers. Sturdy walking shoes are fine (hiking boots not required). Hike 5 miles; minimal elevation change; starting elevation 3200 feet, leave at a.m.; round trip drive 168 miles; driver donation $12.00. Apache Peak. Rating B. This hike begins in Oracle off the Cody Loop Road. It follows the Oracle Ridge Trail south past the junction with the American Flag/Cody Trail and to a saddle on the southwest side of Apache Peak. From there it is a bushwack up a steep slope through the brush over unexpectedly loose rocks to the top. The return is down the north side of the peak over loose rocks again to intersect with the Oracle Ridge Trail and return to the trailhead.