Old Baldy is the shortest and steepest, while the Super Trail is longer but has a more moderate gradient, but both of these trails lead to the 9,543-foot summit of Mt. Leave Interstate 19 at the Continental Road/Madera Canyon Exit and follow the Madera Canyon Road about 13.5 miles to the Mt Wrightson Picnic Area entrance. There are two trails to the summit from Madera Canyon, the Old Baldy Trail and the Super Trail. Tucson, AZ 85706 Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The Super Trail runs 13.5 miles roundtrip from Madera Canyon to the peak of Mount Wrightson. Both of these trails lead to the 9,543-foot summit of Mt. At a Glance. Nogales, AZ 85621 Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Super Trail is a 4.5 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Green Valley, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. This trail goes by McBeth Spring, Riley Saddle, Mount Wrightson, Baldy Saddle, Old Baldy, Bellows Spring, Josephine Saddle, Sprung Spring, and Mt. To the east, views stretch to the Chiricahuas of extreme eastern Arizona with the Whetstone, Mustang and Huachuca mountains floating in a sea of grass closer at hand. If you have knee trouble, you might want to go up the shorter and steeper Old Baldy and come down the longer and more gradual Super Trail. Home FAQ Contribute. At 9,456 feet, Mount Wrightson is Tucson's tallest peak (Mount Ian is slightly … There are two primary trails that take you up Mt Wrightson. 10.2* / Josephine Sprung 2.0 0.8 6 5 COMPASS CORRECTION Magnetic North 130 0.3k Agua Caliente Saddle 7240' Mt. Located about 40 miles south of the city in the lush Coronado National Forest of the Santa Rita Mountains, Mount Wrightson and lesser known neighbor Mount Ian comprise the backdrop of any pictures taken in Tucson. Note: Hike statistics were recorded with Gaia GPSapp. In February of 2020, I hiked the Old Baldy Trail to the summit. The Multiple Mirror Telescope at the Whipple Observatory on Mt. The Crest Trail’s platform is blown out of bedrock on the north side of the volcanic summit block. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from March until November. Home. The Super trail is longer and a lesser grade. Gulch Trail Super Trail 2.5 Mt. Many of these landmarks are visible from dozens of overlooks along both trails. The last mile to the summit of Mt. Mt. Add Route to Mount Wrightson: Create New Attach Existing. 300 W. Congress St. The views from the summit are, to say the least, breathtaking. (520) 547-7510. Tucson, AZ 85701 There are three main ways to approach this scenic area, the most direct and most demanding of which is via the Very Steep/Vault Mine Trailout of Mt Wrightson Picnic Area at the end of Madera Canyon Road. Mt. And while you’re at it, remember that all that’s worth seeing here is not in the distance. The Santa Catalinas near Tucson, Mt. 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 ar… Graham to the east, and the high peaks of the Huachucas to the southeast combine with sweeping views of the Santa Cruz and San Pedro valleys to form a 360° panorama. (520) 202-2700 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Rd. Hands down, one of the greatest hikes in Tucson is to the top of Mount Wrightson. The trail begins at the end of Gardner Canyon Road and immediately begins traversing and switchbacking its way up the slopes of Mt. (928) 428-4150, Santa Catalina Ranger District The summit offers outstanding views of southern Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. (520) 281-2296, Safford Ranger District Motorized and mechanized vehicles and equipment, including mountain bikes, are not permitted in Wilderness. The Super Trail forms a figure 8 with the steeper Old Baldy Trail. It may be overgrown closer to the top at certain times of the year, but even then it is a more enjoyable way to go up or down to the summit. Douglas, AZ 85607 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. It's only 5.4 miles away on foot, but it's way up there. It’s the tallest peak in the Tucson area and a very rewarding hike with an incline grade that I believe is very manageable. 303 Old Tucson Rd. Wrightson as it gained elevation and vistas began to open up in all directions. Sabino Canyon Ampitheater & Madera Trailhead/Picnic Area: 1. Tucson, AZ 85750 Wrightson (as does the Super Trail). This trail earned its descriptive name from the fact that it … Old Baldy is the shortest and steepest, while the Super Trail is longer but has a more moderate gradient, but both of these trails lead to the 9,543-foot summit of Mt. Wrightson, the highest peak in the Santa Ritas. From PHX (I-10 & AZ-51) 152 mi - about 2 hours 31 mins, From TUC (Jct 1-10 & Grant) 42.3 mi - about 55 mins, From FLG (Jct I-17 & I-40) 295 mi - about 4 hours 37 mins. 8000' Gardner Canyon Trail Cave Creek Canyon Trail Sawmill Canyon Trail 9þring Q 2 … HAZ uses cookies . Wrightson via the Crest Trail #144 is the same no matter which trail you’ve followed to the saddle. Both trails are accessed from the Madera Canyon trailhead. Either way, you take the Crest Trail to the summit for breathtaking 360 degree views. Information Center: Nogales Ranger District 520-281-2296: The trail seemed to wrap around Mt. Lemmon Road Conditions Managed by Pima County (520) 547-7510. Mount Wrightson can be hiked via the shorter, steeper Old Baldy Trail or longer Super Trail. Parent: Mount Wrightson. This trail can connect to Old Baldy trail to make an interesting loop hike. Both paths are equidistant and meet up at Kent Springs after 2 miles. 1192 West Saddleview Rd. Super is not as steep, but is longer and less popular. 9453 1 0.9 Jack Mt. Views are immense from this skywalking trail along the high, rocky backbone of the Santa Rita Range. When combined with Old Baldy Trail, it forms a figure eight, making it possible to put together several different loops, using other portions for ascent or descent. Named place photos near Super Trail #134. The trails form a figure eight making it possible to put together a number of different loops using different portions of each. (520) 388-8436, Nogales Ranger District The Super Trail is long but has a moderate gradient. Even if you're not a bird-watcher, you have to appreciate the unique nature of this place. Old Baldy is the most heavily traveled and also remains the coolest of the two by keeping a more northerly aspect and staying in the trees for almost its entire length. This trail leads to the 9,453-foot summit of Mt. Technically the shortest ascent to the summit is via the Garden Canyon Trail #143. This route is a less used but still easy to follow trail on the "backside" of Mt. Plan. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. "Round Up" Lot (Mount Wrightson Picnic Area): Super Trail, Carrie Nation Trail, Vault Mine Trail, Old Baldy Trail Follow the road to its very end, high up in Madera Canyon, where there are two lots, and upper and lower lot for parking. Wrightson, the highest peak in the Santa Ritas and one of the highest in southeastern Arizona. You can start this trail at Bog Springs Campground, Madera Picnic Area, or the Madera Ampitheatre. 4070 South Avenida Saracino Wrightson, the highest peak in the Santa Ritas. The Super Trail stays within the same drainage as its steeper cousin on the lower loop of the “8”, but it follows a more south-facing slope through a high desert environment. It is located in Madera Canyon, part of the Santa Rita mountains and the Coronado National Forest, and it's a popular excursion approximately 30-minutes south of Tucson. 0.5 mile up the trail is another trail intersection, stay to the left. Around 1 mile in, the trail splits in two directions; one takes you past Bog Springs, the other past Sylvester Spring. TrailDEX Filter Areas A to Z Easy Hikes in Season Dog Hikes in Season Map Hikes in Season. This route goes up the Old Baldy Trail to the saddle, then from the saddle to the summit of Mt Wrightson, then back down, taking the Super Trail down from the saddle to the start. Actually, you don’t even have to go all the way to the top to enjoy great views. 2646 E. Commerce Center Pl. The trails form a figure eight making it possible to put together a number of different loops using different portions of each. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from March until December. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 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. Of the two, Old Baldy is the shorter and steeper, while the Super Trail is longer, but has a more moderate gradient. South of Tucson and east of Amado, the Old Baldy Trail (#372) leads to the 9,453 summit of Mt. Old Baldy and Mount Wrightson Summit Trail is a 10.3 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Amado, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. Mount Wrightson and Mount Hopkins were named in their honor. Wrightson, the highest peak in the Santa Ritas. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. (520) 378-0311, Tucson Interagency Fire Center However, with its four-wheel-drive access, the Madera Canyon options are more appealing coming from Tucson. The birdwatchers heaven that exists in Madera Canyon extends up the mountain into this area where, in addition to the birds, you have a chance to see Coues white-tailed deer, black bear and even mountain lion. The trails form a figure eight making it possible to put together a number of different loops using different portions of each. Viewing: 1-2 of 2. Wrightson, the highest peak in the The Crest Trail stretches between Florida Saddle at the head of Florida Canyon and the 9,453-foot summit of Mt. Wrightson. Wrightson Elev. 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. Like the Old Baldy Trail, it is well signed and well maintained. Find. At an altitude of 9,456', Mount Wrightson is the highest mountain near Tucson. Turn left here and drive into the trailhead parking lot, Forest Service Home | USDA.gov | recreation.gov | Recreation Customer Service Standards | USA.gov | Whitehouse.gov, Plug-Ins | FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Important Notices | Information Quality, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coronado/recarea/?recid=25772. The trail became a bit more rocky and we encountered some snow patches on the trail, one of which required us to walk on the edge of it since the snow itself was very hard and not suitable to walk on. Area Status: Open Northernmost mountain range within the Nogales Ranger District. Wrightson, the highest peak in the Santa Ritas. At 9,456 feet, Mount Wrightson is the tallest peak in the Santa Rita Mountains and Tucson, Arizona region. Search ... Super Trail. Paved road access. Of the two, Old Baldy is the shortest and steepest, while the Super Trail is longer but has a more moderate gradient. Mt. Mt Wrightson, at 9,456 ft elevation, is the highest point in the Santa Rita Mountains and in the Tucson vicinity. 1256 miles away. Contact Us : Santa Rita Mountains. The two trails cross forming a figure-8, and I was hoping to do at least part of both trails for some variety, which would make about a 13 mile day. Also, Old Baldy is shadier. A map at the trailhead showed it is 6.1 miles up the Super Trail while the steeper Old Baldy Trail only about 5.4 miles. Managed by Pima County Above the midpoint of the “8” at Josephine Saddle, the Super Trail loops around the south side of the mountain through even more arid country, while Old Baldy switchbacks through thickets of New Mexico locust on a west-facing slope to Baldy Saddle. Wrightson. Wrightson, the highest peak in the Santa Ritas. The trails also boast an impressive potpourri of tree species characteristic of southeastern Arizona including Arizona, Apache and Chihuahua pines, as well as Arizona madrone and a variety of oaks. Includes the popular Madera Canyon. Safford, AZ 85546 Hopkins is at 6,535 feet, almost 3,000 feet below and west of the Mt. Most people hike to the summit via the trails from Madera Canyon, taking either the Old Baldy Trail, or the slightly longer but less steep Super Trail. 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. Trail lies in the Mt.Wrightson Wilderness Area. 711 14th Avenue, Suite D Supervisor's Office Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Wrightson Picnic & Trailheads z Elev. Directions to Mount Wrightson and Hiking Basics. 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. Carrie Nation Mine: From the Mount Wrightson picnic area, take the SE trailhead .3 mile to the trail intersection and turn right. Wrightson is the highest point in the Santa Rita Mountains. This trail leads to the 9,453-foot summit of Mt. This is a moderate loop trail to Baldy Spring in Coronado National Forest. Wrightson Picnic Area. The former is steeper and shorter, while the latter seems to pretty much circumnavigate most of Mt. Lemmon Road Conditions At 9,456 feet, Mount Wrightson is the tallest peak in the vicinity of Tucson Arizona. Wrightson. (520)  749-8700, Sierra Vista Ranger District Surely that's enough of a reason to hike it but the real draw is the Madrean Sky Island environment which is exceptionally unique. (520) 388-8300, Douglas Ranger District  The Super Trail #134 has more switchbacks providing a less strenuous ascent. The trail begins at the end of Madera Canyon. Follow Super Trail 3.7 miles to Josephine Saddle. Shortly before getting to Baldy Saddle, we took the Super Trail and looped around Wrightson until we got back to the Old Baldy Trail at Josephine Saddle. As seen in the Wrightson Wilderness map, several trails ascend Mt Wrightson. Hereford, AZ 85615 Old Baldy is the shortest and steepest, while the Super Trail is longer but has a more moderate gradient, but both of these trails lead to the 9,543-foot summit of Mt. It was named for William Wrightson, a miner and entrepreneur in the region killed … I really like this descent -- it is a gentler descent than going back the Old Baldy Trail, and you have a nice view of … One is called the Super Trail and the other, Old Baldy Trail. 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