Santa Rita Mts: Madera Canyon Nature Trail

NOTE: Links are in BOLD

Length: 7.5 mi Round Trip
Start El 4480'
End El 5400'
El Gain 1000'

• Rated "C" or "Intermediate" (http://files.meetup.com/372195/Hike%20Rating%20Scale.pdf)** No dogs, firearms or tobacco

DEPART Home Depot on Irvington (https://www.google.com/maps/place/1155+W+Irvington+Rd,+Tucson,+AZ+85714/@32.1613661,-110.989346,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x86d67a1a0fe4f7f9:0xcf2818b8efe141ec!8m2!3d32.1613661!4d-110.9871573) at 9:00** Hike STARTS at 10:00 **

If you wish to car pool a convenient location to meet is at the Home Depot on Irvington (https://www.google.com/maps/place/1155+W+Irvington+Rd,+Tucson,+AZ+85714/@32.1613661,-110.989346,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x86d67a1a0fe4f7f9:0xcf2818b8efe141ec!8m2!3d32.1613661!4d-110.9871573). We depart from there at 9:00 SHARP!

Please let me know if you will be meeting at the carpooling site or meeting at the trail head.

You can meet us at the Proctor trail head for a 10:00 hike start.
The Proctor parking lot is the very first one on the right when you enter Madera Canyon. It is just beyond the fee/info station. Rest rooms and maps are available here.

The trail head is approximately 1 hour/40 miles south of Tucson.
There is a Google route map here (https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1FeS7yR3VB-q1YSdNbAGvZg41tfA).

A Madera Canyon Trail Map is here (http://files.meetup.com/372195/Madera%20Canyon%20Trail%20Map.pdf). It is a printable PDF

-----------------------------------------------------------------Madera Canyon is a fee area - $5.00 per car or Federal pass (http://store.usgs.gov/pass/index.html) or Coronado National Forest pass (http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/coronado/passes-permits)
These fees for recreational use will hopefully allow
the Forest Service to continue to subsidize grazing
leases and timber sales at their present generous levels.

Links with more info:
FAQ - Passes, Permits & Fees (http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coronado/passes-permits/recreation/?cid=fswdev7_018712)
Fees no longer collected for ... (http://azstarnet.com/news/local/fees-no-longer-collected-for-mt-lemmon-parking-hiking/article_dd4ce37a-5cfb-11e1-b28d-001871e3ce6c.html)

The Hike

This hike starts at the mouth of world famous Madera Canyon. This is a north facing canyon so it is relatively shady and cool. Especially when compared to the open desert. This, coupled with the elevation make it a summer haven for those in the greater Tucson area.
The canyon is also home to many species of birds which brings people in from all over for bird watching trips.

The beginning of the hike starts with the ADA trail which is a gentle grade and partially paved. It winds along the creek through a forest of 100+ year old Oak trees and ancient Alligator Juniper.

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/c/f/a/event_197744282.jpeg

Young hiker and old Alligator Juniper

Where the ADA trail ends the path turns to packed soil with some areas of both loose and embedded rock.

As the trail continues up the canyon and along the creek it now passes by giant boulders, big Arizona Sycamores and more old oaks and junipers until it reaches the Amphitheater.
We have now hiked 2 miles up the Canyon. We will take a brief break at the Amphitheater.

From the Amphitheater the trail ascends via a series of switch-backs then levels out a bit. On this section we will have commanding views of the canyon as well as Mt Wrightson, AKA "Old Baldy". Wrightson is the highest peak in the Santa Ritas and tops out at 9453'. This is 400' higher than well known Mt Lemmon in the Catalina Mts.

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/e/8/d/600_444191917.jpeg

Mt Wrightson as seen from the Madera Canyon Nature Trail

This section of the trail has more loose and embedded rock on the trail, but nothing too rugged. There are a few step-ups, but none are severe.

After about 3.6 miles we will arrive at the Roundup picnic area.
This will be our lunch break. Depending on how busy it is we may or may not get a picnic table to ourselves.
There are restrooms here as well but no water.

When everyone is ready we will head back down the canyon via the same route.

Be sure to bring adequate water and snacks.

As always - Hike at Your Own Risk

If you are new to the group please read these:

About the Tucson Hiking Meetup Group (https://www.meetup.com/tucsonhiking/about/)
Tucson Hiking Meetup Group - No Show Policy (http://files.meetup.com/372195/No%20Show%20Policy.pdf)
Hike Rating Scale (http://files.meetup.com/372195/Hike%20Rating%20Scale.pdf)

If you have questions or need to reach me:
Cell: 304.290.8066 NO TEXTING PLEASE

Note: There is no cell service in most of Madera Canyon.

WV-Mike (https://www.meetup.com/tucsonhiking/members/13110160/)