Valley of the Rincons: Hope Camp and Ridge View Trails

• Total Length: 7.5 mi
• Total Elevation Gain: 1000'
• Duration: 5-6 hours
• Rating: Intermediate
(See "What we're about" at https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Tucson/)

**RESTRICTIONS: No guests, dogs, firearms or tobacco
• Cell phones SILENT during hike
Be sure to bring adequate water and snacks.
Meet at the Loma Alta Trailhead
See: www.tinyurl.com/tuobony

This Heddi Inspired hike combines two trails: Hope Camp and Ridge View.
We will hike to historic Hope Camp Ranch site and have lunch, back track and then hike the Ridge View trail for some more fine views.

When we are at Hope Camp see if you can spot something that relates to a famous Tucsonian. Think music.

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Hope Camp Trail Hike Description:
From - Hike Arizona
https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=1331

This hike follows an old ranch road along the southern flank of Tanque Verde Ridge and the Rincon Mountains along an old route to some old line camps, sites of round-ups when these were functioning ranchlands. There are two such camps along the way: Deer Camp and Hope Camp at the end of the line. These camps are marked by old rusty windmills and cement troughs. There are wonderful vista views along the way.

Take off from the parking lot and immediately pass through a hiker's gate. There is an immediate signed trail junction. Hope Camp trail continues straight ahead. The Ridge View trail breaks left. You will do a couple of wash crossings as you go, the route is always easy to follow.

At about 1.3 miles you will come to the Deer Camp site. There is an old windmill and silo on your left, just across the wash. From here you do a nice easy climb to a saddle at 1.8 miles. From here you have great views over Rincon Valley and Rincon Peak. Now there is a smooth descent through some riparian and grassy habitat to the old Hope Camp. Here is another old windmill and some cement troughs. The isolated feel of this old site is great. This is 2.8 miles from the trailhead.

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Ridge View Trail Hike Description:
Copyright The American Southwest
https://www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/saguaro/ridge-view-trail.html

Although short, just 1.1 miles, the Ridge View Trail in Saguaro National Park is a rewarding and scenic route, climbing gently up a bushy valley then slightly more steeply over a rocky slope to a fine viewpoint atop a ridge, facing the sweeping south face of Tanque Verde Ridge.

The trail heads eastward, soon reaching a junction where the main path continues straight on towards Hope Camp (2.8 miles), site of early 20th-century cattle operations, while the Ridge View route bears left, initially crossing a patch of exposed, whitish earth then entering a shallow valley, heading towards a rounded hill in the distance. The path, initially straight, later veers to the right, through a briefly narrower section of the drainage and rises to open slopes which allow the first good views eastward towards the Rincon Mountains. The latter section ascends a broad hillside, sprinkled with jagged rocks mixed with many springtime wildflowers. The trail ends, after a twistier section, on a rounded rock ridge from where the land slopes away on all sides, most steeply to the north, down to the valley separating the viewpoint from the foothills of Tanque Verde Ridge, covered with thousands of saguaros.

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RSVP etiquette:
• Sign up only if you really intend to come
• If you need to cancel, do so BEFORE the deadline so someone can get your spot
• If you change your mind take yourself off the Going or Wait list
• Please don't be a no-show

Be sure to bring adequate water, food, trekking poles, etc.
As always - Hike at Your Own Risk

If you have questions:
Email: www.tinyurl.com/y3pz2gs9
Call/txt: 304.290.8066

WV-Mike
www.meetup.com/members/13110160/

Have you read the important information here? www.meetup.com/Hiking-Tucson/messages/boards/thread/52507980