Mount Wrightson is most often hiked from Madera Canyon, North of the summit. Wrightson. Technically the shortest ascent to the summit is via the Garden Canyon Trail #143. What’s not to love about this beautiful hike? I think he had “Jet Lag” or some bad junk food on the way down. Wrightson, but the description is of the Four Springs Trail hike to the junction of the Crest Trail. Mt Wrightson Hike and SOTA Activation My interest in the Summits On The Air program continues to grow, and as a result I've become fascinated with the idea of hiking some of the local area peaks in Southern Arizona. Turn east under the interstate and cross the Santa Cruz River. There's free camping outside of the National Forest as … The trails were all clear and switchbacks in great shape. Mount Wrightson Loop Trail is a 13.1 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Green Valley, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Backpacking Guide. Also, temperatures in Madera Canyon and atop Mount Wrightson are sure to be cooler than Tucson, but they can get hot in the afternoon, especially during the summer. Wrightson (9,453ft/2,881m) in the Santa Rita range. Until you reach Josephine Saddle, you are hiking on west facing slopes and Mount Wrightson is big enough to block the sun for most of the morning. From there the trail climbs steeply for a half mile. Started at 715am. Mountain missing? These are two totally different hikes and should be under separate titles. From the Super Trail go about 1/4 mile. This is a hike that must be done by any avid hiker, but I doubt I'll be doing it any time soon. Mount Wrightson can be hiked via the shorter, steeper Old Baldy Trail or longer Super Trail. Mount Wrightson is One of Tucson’s Highest Peaks. I need to get caught up on the posts and do better about writing them. It was an 8 hour hike. Trails within the Mt. Watch for a brown sign for Madera Canyon Recreation Area and exit on Continental Road. We value your privacy and do not share your personal information. An in-depth view of what it's like to arrive and hike Mt. Lemmon. This trail can end in a few places, though my preference is to stop at either the Amphitheater Parking Area or Mt. There's free camping outside of the National Forest as … Very tired but worth it. This loop is a total of 12 miles long if you don’t visit the Mt. From Mt. The hike was pretty cool. That was sad. Required fields are marked *. The trail begins at the end of Madera Canyon. This junction marks the end of Four Springs Trail. I need to get caught up on the posts and do better about writing them. Both hikes are within the Mount Wrightson Wilderness. Mt. Mt. October 8, 2017Updated: August 19, 2020by Max Karren. Water is a must, I took 1.5 gallons in my pack. Hiking up Mt Wrightson via Madera Canyon is still the more scenic and cooler option. Travel: There are three Green Valley exits from I-19. My Dad and I hiked Mt. The first thing that'll come to mind when you catch your first glimpse of Mount Wrightson is, HOLY MOLY! Now, three years later, here I am in ARIDzona in June, when daytime relative humidity runs in the single digits and every day is 100 degrees or hotter. Total distance, around 8 miles. Download its GPS track and follow the itinerary on a map. Cross three one-lane bridges. The title of this trail and the map are the Baldy/Super Trail loop to the summit of Mt. My goal was to reach the summit of Mt. Hiking to the peak of Mt Wrightson from the nearest lot takes 3-4 hours each way. While Mount Lemmon seems to get all of Tucson's fame and glory, lesser known Mount Wrightson is perhaps a more fun and scenic climb thanks to the lack of development on its summit and heavily shaded trail to shield you you from the Arizona heat. In 1.2 miles, turn south on White House Canyon Road which transitions to Madera Canyon Road. Take a faint trail uphill to the left and you come to a summit with lovely views. Mount Wrightson is the largest mountain visible from Tucson, rising to over 9400’ from the desert floor. The Mount Wrightson hike is intermediate but forgiving. As good it gets! Tucson is surrounded by mountains. The hike was pretty cool. Around 2 miles later you will arrive at Amour Spring, then another half mile brings you to the junction with Crest Trail. Super Trail is a great trail, especially if you want to mix in some running. Take this trail until it intersects with the Kent Spring jeep trail and then continue up the jeep trail to Kent Spring. The views were magnificent. Looser near the peak. On the way up I paused and read of the three boy scouts that died in an unexpected blizzard. A shout out to the trio I had lunch with on the summit from the Southern Arizona Hiking Club...good input on other area peaks and thank you for your trail maintenance work. The ride is about 84 miles with 5,600 feet of climbing.… Wrightson in southeastern Arizona’s Santa Rita Mountains. Given this fact, you are sure to encounter a beautiful array of wildflowers, butterflies, birds, and reptiles on your hike. The start point listed in the description is good for the Bog Spring/Kent Spring Loop but a better starting point for the Four Springs Trail is the Super Trail from the parking lot at the top of the road. Click here for larger-size photo. This is a wonderful loop around Mt Wrightson with two sections of dirt road and two sections of paved road. Wrightson Hiking trail in Madera Canyon, Arizona (United States). Mt. Humphries and Harquahala Peak as my favorite hike in Arizona. Dean was feeling puny at this point and didn’t feel up to the hike. Its a bit longer by about a mile but starts the hike with a gentler phase. Hike Summary. Wrightson trailhead. Hiking up Mt Wrightson via Madera Canyon is still the more scenic and cooler option. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. This is a 10.2 mile out-and-back hike with 4200 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about 5-7 hours to complete. Summary: A steep out and back climb to the highest peak in the Santa Rita Mountains. Web Map Links The overall location is very isolated and made for a peaceful hike without huge crowds. Wrightson Wilderness Area was killed last weekend by an officer from the U.S. Forest Service. The Mount Wrightson via Old Baldy Trail is a hard out and back hike approximately 11.3 miles and with an elevation gain of 4,012 feet. Wrightson & Redfield Canyon (Links to Part 2 and Part 3). I did, however, turn around before reaching the summit due to the snow getting hard to walk in without snowshoes. The hike up Mount Wrightson is forested and full of ecological diversity, in contrast to the parched Sonoran Desert valleys that surround it. Be safe. I recommend the full loop like this to get a fresh view. icy chunks from the trees all over up top made it hard coming down. You can always turn back and there are plenty of places to rest given time. The road into Madera canyon is paved and open all year. I think he had “Jet Lag” or some bad junk food on the way down. Drive southeast on this paved road following the signs to the Santa Rita Lodge and Madera Canyon. Located in the Santa Rita Mountains in Southern Arizona, Mt. I'm glad now I never led this hike with the hiking club as no one would have joined me. Around 1 mile in, the trail splits in two directions; one takes you past Bog Springs, the other past Sylvester Spring. I came across some bobcat tracks in the snow. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Madera Canyon and the Santa Rita Mountains are situated on a sky island, a designation given to isolated mountain ranges that are separated from each other by desert lowlands. Mount Wrightson Loop Trail is a 21.1 kilometer lightly trafficked loop trail located near Green Valley, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. Hiking Beyond Garibaldi Lake Black Tusk. Wrightson Summit, 14 miles if you do. Trail Map An easier version of this hike would be to take the Super Trail to Josephine Saddle. There … Wrightson definitely replaced Mt. Don't let the short distance fool you, be prepared....bring lots of H20, protein foods to include raw honey, bagels, nuts, etc...and of course pack enough for at least an overnight in case of emergency. Directions: From Tucson drive south on I-10 until you reach the I-19 exit. Hiking in Tucson – 5 Awesome Adventures Part 1 – Mt. Note: Hike statistics were recorded with Gaia GPSapp. Summary: A steep out and back climb to the highest peak in the Santa Rita Mountains. Both sections of dirt climb through beautiful country - remote in the case of FR 143 and popular in the case of Box Canyon. A few of the most popular access points are located within the Madera Canyon Recreation Area, where roads and parking areas are paved. Wrightson & Redfield Canyon (Links to Part 2 and Part 3). At 9,456 feet, Mount Wrightson is the tallest peak in the Santa Rita Mountains and Tucson, Arizona region. Guest post by Mitch Stevens. We did the Four Springs Trail today. Hiking in Tucson – 5 Awesome Adventures Part 1 – Mt. All the pictures I took on the hike. It's only 5.4 miles away on foot, but it's way up there. Madera Canyon Wildflowers in the Santa Rita Mountains of Southeastern Arizona, Santa Rita Mountains (Hiking / Mountain Biking / Equestrian Trails, 2962S), Hiking Guide: Upper and Lower Lola Montez Lakes, The Ultimate Guide to White Sands National Monument. He's now a full-time nomad and travels the American West in an RV with his wife Kim and daughter Maia, doing hikes along the way. Sign up below for new hiking guides, trip reports, gear reviews, and more. Start the long trek very early in the day. If you’re slogging this hike in one day, you may want to take the slightly shorter route through Taylor Meadows. Take at least two gallons of water for … The views from the peak are stunning but it's not necessary to go all the way up to get great views. It’s the tallest peak in the Tucson area and a very rewarding hike with an incline grade that I believe is very manageable. Mt Wrightson being the highest summit in close to Tucson, I opted for it. Guest post by Mitch Stevens. Hiking trip report, map, and photos for Mount Wrightson via Old Baldy Trail, located in Coronado National Forest, Arizona. After a total of 107 switch backs, several water breaks, I still managed to reach the top of the summit which I really enjoyed. The ridgeline of the Santa Ritas included Old Baldy (Mt Wrightson, Mt McCleary, Jack Mtn, and Mt Hopkins, where the Smithsonian had an observatory. Mount Wrightson Climbing Notes. Took me about 10 hours. Comment on Work and Life Balance, Mount Wright Day Hike by @jimmie_vanagon Hey Jim, Dennis here. Here is a post from the Arizona Sierra Club about Mount Wrightson. Snow was 6-9" of powder on a good incline so I put my New Hampshire hiking skills to the test. Thanks to his dad and the Boy Scouts, he was able to spend a lot of time hiking at an early age. If you go during the Winter months be prepared for snow, ice or rain. A few of the most popular access points are located within the Madera Canyon Recreation Area, where roads and parking areas are paved. Didn't trust or footing. There are several primitive campsites along the way. If you're not pressed for time, I highly recomend going up via Super; the views were phenomenal, and at a couple spots we saw some hummingbirds flying around. Hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails are popular in the area and vary from paved and gentle walking paths, to steep, strenuous trails leading to the top of 9,453-foot Mt. Mount Wrightson is a 9,456-foot (2,882 m) peak in the Santa Rita Mountains within the Coronado National Forest, in southern Arizona, United States. Wrightson and along the Santa Rita Crest to Florida Saddle where you can turn east again on Cave Canyon Trail #149 to Cave Canyon Road and back to Gardner Canyon Road via the short and appropriately named Cave Gardner Cutoff Trail #10. The summit itself offered some amazing 360 views of southern Arizona and parts of Mexico, but unfortunately when we went it was literally swarming with ladybugs and flies, with quite a few bees present as well. We did the Old Baldy trail both ways. An easier version of this hike would be to take the Super Trail to Josephine Saddle. Car camping off Gardner Canyon Road near Mt. This is an almost 15 mile round trip hike. As you look south, however, the highest and most distinctive peak is Mt. Mt. It was a beautiful hike down, though, and I'll definitely come back again in a few months when it gets colder. After crossing the creek, the trail turns left. Hiking. Drive southeast on this paved road following the signs to the Santa Rita Lodge and Madera Canyon. What’s not to love about this beautiful hike? Both sections of dirt climb through beautiful country - remote in the case of FR 143 and popular in the case of Box Canyon. Simply plug in directions for "Old Baldy Trailhead" (click link for Google Maps. Un trail con excelentes vistas, gran altura. This is our fourth trip up this trail. On Saturday, September 10, 2016 I was able to spend the day hiking and playing radio, and I had more fun than I even imagined. Max's early childhood was spent in the shadow of the Wasatch Mountains in Northern Utah and his teenage years in the red rock desert of Southern Utah. On the way up I paused and read of the three boy scouts that died in an unexpected blizzard. As seen in the Wrightson Wilderness map, several trails ascend Mt Wrightson. This is a wonderful loop around Mt Wrightson with two sections of dirt road and two sections of paved road. I'm glad now I never led this hike with the hiking club as no one would have joined me. A wooden memorial stands alongside the trail about halfway up to the summit. Cross three one-lane bridges. Mount Wrightson is the largest mountain visible from Tucson, rising to over 9400’ from the desert floor. Super Trail was less traveled based on the vegetation overgrowth through some sections but has great views the whole way down. December 21, 2017Updated: August 19, 2020, Your email address will not be published. Wrightson Wilderness range from well-used pathways to primitive routes. The views from the peak are stunning but it's not necessary to go all the way up to get great views. Wrightson in the Santa Rita Mountains. Mt Wrightson hike When we bought our house in Tucson while we were still full-timing in the Airstream, I explained to everyone that we never intended to spend summers here. I’d encourage anybody try it. When I hiked Mount Wrightson in October 2017, I did not encounter any large boulders, though there were a few fallen trees. The path is also well-maintained and, for the most part, clear of obstacles. This is a difficult one way trail to Mount Wrightson in Coronado National Forest. Wrightson is the tallest peak as seen from Tucson. However, with its four-wheel-drive access, the Madera Canyon options are more appealing coming from Tucson. Wrightson Wilderness Area over the past week was killed over the weekend by an officer from … A male alpine goat that had been terrorizing hikers in the Mt. Watch for a brown sign for Madera Canyon Recreation Area and exit on Continental Road. Another two miles of steady, sometimes steep uphill and you arrive at Shovel Saddle, so named for a shovel that used to be stuck in the ground there but has since disappeared. Unlike its massive northern neighbor Mount Lemmon, Wrightson has a distinct rocky peak (as a matter of fact, it was named Mount Baldy at one time for this very reason) that offers arguably the best panorama in the region. lot lady bug things on top but great panoramic views. You are now on the Four Springs Trail. In … Mount Wrightson is most often hiked from Madera Canyon, North of the summit. Directions: From Tucson drive south on I-10 until you reach the I-19 exit. Its a popular place for hiking, camping and … Take plenty of water and food. Read my Best Hikes in Tucson article or check out our individual Tucson Hiking Guides. If you continue on the trail, you will arrive at Armour Spring, and, past that, to Florida Saddle and the Crest Trail which heads back to Baldy Saddle. Wrightson in the Coronado National Forest in Arizona, USA, July 27 and 28, 2009. Wrightson. It has been a couple weeks ago. Beautiful worth the time. Wrightson … Car camping off Gardner Canyon Road near Mt. Reviewed August 6, 2013 . Great trail! Wrightson Wilderness Area was killed last weekend by an officer from the U.S. Forest Service. Mount Wrightson can be hiked via the shorter, steeper Old Baldy Trail or longer Super Trail. I’m Mitch Stevens, founder and lead guide for Southwest Discoveries, a hiking and adventure company based in Tucson.Born and raised in New York City, I came to discover the great outdoors and fell in love with Arizona’s special places. Wrightson in the Santa Rita Mountains. The saddle is a prime resting point with fallen logs and rocks for … It had been a long drive from Washington, a tough hike for Pinal County, and then a windy noisy night on top of Mt. The spirit of the Boy Scouts lives on at Mt. I had plenty of layers, though, so it wasn't too terrible. Wrightson, you would start at this point. Mount Wrightson is One of Tucson’s Highest Peaks. Mount Wrightson via Old Baldy Trail is a 11.4 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Green Valley, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. Your email address will not be published. From Mt. What a great hike! And it looks even farther than that — at 9,453 feet, Mount Wrightson, also known as Old Baldy, is the highest point in the Santa Rita Mountains. The hike begins at Madera Canyon Trailhead located at the end of Madera Canyon Road, accessed from the White House Canyon Road which begins in Green Valley, Arizona. With a small creek, hiking trails, and seclusion from other campers this location seems more like back country then car camping...PHOTOS/ MATT NAGER I came across some bobcat tracks in the snow. We went up old baldy and down old baldy. The Crest Trail leads both to the summit of Mt. Old Baldy and Mount Wrightson Summit Trail, Josephine Saddle via Super Trail and Old Baldy, Vault Mine, Agua Caliente, Super Trail Loop, Old Baldy, Vault Mine and Agua Caliente Trail. The prominence of Wrightson provides wonderful views with a great summit. You can hike to the top of Mount Wrightson year round however the best times to hike is in the Spring and Fall. Note: Hike statistics were recorded with Gaia GPS app. Source: Instagram. It has been a couple weeks ago. Wrightson on March 16th, 2017 and enjoyed some great scenery and views. You can always turn back and there are plenty of places to rest given time. Get as early of a start as possible to make sure you are hiking up in the shade. I would rate it as difficult. Drive about 25 miles on I-19 and take the exit for Continental. The Arizona Trail is routed through Kentucky Camp. Wrightson Wilderness Area over the past week was killed over the weekend by an officer from the U.S. Watch for the Pipeline Trail coming off the left at a steep uphill angle. Mt. This trail is located in the Santa Rita Mountains near Green Valley, AZ. Mt Wrightson Hike and SOTA Activation My interest in the Summits On The Air program continues to grow, and as a result I've become fascinated with the idea of hiking some of the local area peaks in Southern Arizona. Needed microspikes coming up Baldy Trail after the first 3 miles and didn't remove them till sometime around the Gardner Canyon cutoff from the Super Trail. Directions to Mount Wrightson and Hiking Basics. Wrightson Wilderness range from well-used pathways to primitive routes. Turn east under the interstate and cross the Santa Cruz River. Trails within the Mt. So, as you can see, IMHO, Mt Wrightson IS THE BEST HIKE IN ARIZONA. An in-depth view of what it's like to arrive and hike Mt. I’m Mitch Stevens, founder and lead guide for Southwest Discoveries, a hiking and adventure company based in Tucson.Born and raised in New York City, I came to discover the great outdoors and fell in love with Arizona’s special places. We made the peak in 4:20 and back down in about 3 hours. There are numerous springs on the Mount Wrightson trail system, but they run dry during certain times of the year, so hedge your bets. From I-19, take exit 63 and follow signs for Madera Canyon. It had been on my to do list for some time, and now that temperatures in Arizona were rising, it was time to start looking to the higher elevations to escape the heat. This is a difficult one way trail to Mount Wrightson in Coronado National Forest. Even if you're not a bird-watcher, you have to appreciate the unique nature of this place. Tucson is surrounded by mountains. We can add it! And it looks even farther than that — at 9,453 feet, Mount Wrightson, also known as Old Baldy, is the highest point in the Santa Rita Mountains. Trails in the Wilderness crisscross forests, canyons and ridgetops, accessing panoramic views and cool, shaded glades. Views where amazing. Definitely a hard one to fit in one day. Photo credit: Elevation: 2881 m; Difficulty: Walk up; Best months to climb: May, June, July, August, September, October; Convenient center: Green Valley; Update info or location. You can start this trail at Bog Springs Campground, Madera Picnic Area, or the Madera Ampitheatre. Needless to say, if you were hiking Mt. I took my 2 older kids 13 and 15, they found it difficult but worthwhile. My goal was to reach the summit of Mt. Add this one to your bucket list. I suggest you carry three to four liters of water on your hike to be on the safe side. We lunched at Shovel Saddle at 8000' (2600' elevation gain) and then headed back as weather was moving in. To the left is the Bog Spring loop. If you have experience hiking in snow and can follow the trail, I highly recommend doing so. The ride is about 84 miles with 5,600 feet of climbing.… Just a few feet past Kent Spring the trail splits. Both trails are accessed from the Madera Canyon trailhead. Trails in the Wilderness crisscross forests, canyons and ridgetops, accessing panoramic views and cool, shaded glades. I'm not sure if this is a seasonal occurrence as it was my first summit, but if you go up there, be prepared for LOTS of bugs. Distance 11 miles Elevation gain 4000 feet. This is an almost 15 mile round trip hike. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. It was beautiful up there! Fantastic hike! Both hikes are within the Mount Wrightson Wilderness. The only thing not good was 3 piles of dog poop left on the trail near the parking area and at least 2 people with dogs not on leashes. Dean was feeling puny at this point and didn’t feel up to the hike. everything was very gradual up and down. This is a hike that must be done by any avid hiker, but I doubt I'll be doing it any time soon. Monsoon has been kind here, so a lot of the plants that tend to narrow Super trail a bit were weighed down by ice and snow and hung over the trail even more. This would be a great training hike for the Grand Canyon, though. Mount Wrightson – Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering. Travel: There are three Green Valley exits from I-19. Source: Instagram. Wrightson – Hiking Tucson’s Loftiest Summit. Wrightson from Madera Canyon Santa Rita Mountains. I started out taking Old Baldy trail up to the saddle, and then took Super. On Nov. 15, 1958, six Boy Scouts from Tucson started out on a day hike from Madera Canyon to Mount Baldy, now known as Mount Wrightson, in the Santa Rita Mountains. I showed my wife your videos this morning and will now share your blog. Lemmon we headed back down to Tucson and then south to Madera Canyon and the trailhead for Mt. Wrightson and other nearby peaks. Simply plug in directions for " Old Baldy Trailhead " (click link for Google Maps. On Nov. 15, 1958, six Boy Scouts from Tucson started out on a day hike from Madera Canyon to Mount Baldy, now known as Mount Wrightson, in the Santa Rita Mountains. At 9,456 feet, Mount Wrightson is the tallest peak in the vicinity of Tucson Arizona. This trail goes by Josephine Saddle, Bellows Spring, Old Baldy, Baldy Saddle, and Baldy Spring. Beautiful view from the top. Both trails are accessed from the Madera Canyon trailhead. Now, three years later, here I am in ARIDzona in June, when daytime relative humidity runs in the single digits and every day is 100 degrees or hotter. Fantastic Hike to the Peak of Mt. In 1.2 miles, turn south on White House Canyon Road which transitions to Madera Canyon Road. This website participates in affiliate marketing. Lemmon we headed back down to Tucson and then south to Madera Canyon and the trailhead for Mt. He completed his first 14-mile day hike at age 7 in Zion National Park and was backpacking by age 11. Mount Wrightson has a very pleasing and classic profile in this view from nearby Mount Ian (2013-12-06). Mount Wrightson. This would be a great training hike for the Grand Canyon, though. The ridgeline of the Santa Ritas included Old Baldy (Mt Wrightson, Mt McCleary, Jack Mtn, and Mt Hopkins, where the Smithsonian had an observatory. I will be back to do this and more trails in the Tucson area! To my surprise there was snow near the top. Views through the trees … I told her you are a true Renaissance Man! Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. With a small creek, hiking trails, and seclusion from other campers this location seems more like back country then car camping...PHOTOS/ MATT NAGER The summit offers outstanding views of southern Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. Start the long trek very early in the day. His docile female Along the way, I saw Turkey, Mule Deer, various lizards and a Tarantula. Both paths are equidistant and meet up at Kent Springs after 2 miles. This is a glorious hike stating from Madera Canyon which is filled with Arizona Live Oaks, Junipers, and in this monsoon season yellow columbines that nod in the breeze. Rocky Mount Wrightson looms above the treeline Pretty much the entire 2.5 miles from the parking lot to Josephine Saddle is shaded by pine and oak forest, making the many switchbacks to the first notable destination on the hike much easier. Summit offers outstanding views of southern Arizona, USA, July 27 and 28, 2009 to... A Tarantula at age 7 in Zion National Park and was backpacking by 11... Been harassing hikers in the case of Box Canyon remote in the Coronado National Forest again a. Trail up to the summit, around and down Old Baldy and down on Super trail is in. But has great views 21, 2017Updated: August 19, 2020by Max Karren seen from,... Open all year any avid hiker, but it 's not necessary go. Doing it any time soon, Bellows Spring, then another half mile brings you to the peak are but. Visit the Mt of what it 's not necessary to go all the up. An officer from the highest peak in the region killed by Apaches in the Santa range! 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Female hiking in Tucson article or check out our individual Tucson hiking Guides, trip reports, reviews... The creek, the Madera Canyon Recreation Area and exit on Continental road unseres Februar-Aufenthalts in USA... Hiking skills to the summit I could get in the Wilderness crisscross forests, canyons and ridgetops, panoramic... Led this hike would be to take the Super trail before reaching the summit the,. A half mile brings you to the peak of Mt Old Baldy hiked from Madera Canyon and trailhead. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round of a start as possible to sure... 1.2 miles, turn around before reaching the summit of Mt are accessed from the of! And do better about writing them Mountains in southern Arizona and Sonora, Mexico uphill to the test hours complete! Water on your hike to the summit I could get in the Wrightson Area. About 5-7 hours to complete strenuous ascent your videos this morning and will now share personal. Is very isolated and made for a brown sign for Madera Canyon is and... Wilderness Area over the past week was killed last weekend by an officer from the Madera Canyon Area! Up below for new hiking Guides, if you ’ re slogging this hike would be to the..., take exit 63 and follow the itinerary on a map Wrightson with two sections of paved road one. But I doubt I 'll definitely come back again in a ferocious blizzard and died there hiking camping... Boulders, though, and more trails in the Santa Ritas and mountain lions are known inhabit. Through beautiful country - remote in the snow one takes you past Bog Springs, the Madera Canyon and trailhead! To arrive and hike Mt hiking club as no one would have joined me, three boys 12! A hard one to fit in one day, you are a true Renaissance Man road and two sections dirt... On the way up to the junction of the summit is via the,! `` Old Baldy trail, located in the day get as early of a start as possible to make you! Mountains in southern Arizona and Sonora, Mexico your first glimpse of Mount Wrightson is the BEST in! Hours to complete icy chunks from the highest point between Tucson and headed! Hiking club as no one would have joined me title of this hike with 4200 cumulative of. A beautiful array of wildflowers, butterflies, birds, and then south to Madera Canyon road thanks! Pleasing and classic profile in this view from the Madera Canyon and the boy scouts, was.