August 20, 2024
Santa Rita hikes - North
What I call "northside" hikes are hikes north of Box Canyon Road (FSR 62).
So far this is just a place holder. I have been more or less avoiding this area
due to activity around the proposed Rosemont Mine.
I will note that in past years I hiked to various high points:
- Harts Butte - south of Gunsight Pass. Gunsight Pass used to be a fairly challenging
4x4 drive and Harts Butte is a short distance south. This may now be inaccessible due to
Rosemont Mine activity, perhaps only accessible in a clandestine fashion.
- Weigles Butte - south of Harts Butte. An interesting hike with a bit of scrambling.
A good view from the top. This should still be possible, and I should check when weather
cools off.
Mount Fagan - 6189 feet
This is very much a worthwhile hike. There is no trail.
You just drive some road, get as close as the road and your vehicle permit,
and then head for the top. I did this many years ago (perhaps 1999) with my
sons Paul and Alex. It was a cold day with snow on the ground the entire way.
Interestingly, two dogs attached themselves to our party and stayed with us
all the way to the top. They were agreeable companions.
Their owners probably wondered where they had been and why they were so tired.
We attacked the mountain from the north, driving some road south from
Sahuarita Road. If I was to do it again, I would probably approach the
mountain from the east, perhaps using the Arizona Trail for the first part.
Possibly using "the Lakes" trailhead for the Arizona Trail, but many things
are possible. This is a good hike for cool weather.
Have any comments? Questions?
Drop me a line!
Tom's hiking pages / tom@mmto.org