AZT - Passage 5 - Santa Rita Mountains

Starting from Gardner Canyon Road, this passage of the AZT passes the Gardner Canyon Trailhead as it continues toward Cave Creek. The trail lowers into Fish Canyon and then turns northwest toward Kentucky Camp. Kentucky Camp was established as a base of operations for the Santa Rita Water and Mining Company in 1904. It has since become a historic site and chapter of the Coronado National Forest Heritage Society. The trail ventures through the camp area onto Kentucky Camp Road and then ascends into Sucker Gulch. Heading northwest from Sucker Gulch, the trail continues to rise as it circles the base of Granite Mountain, which rises to just under 6000 ft. Further along, the trail continues through Ophir Gulch and then turns east onto FR 165. Continuing along the forest service road, the trail descends to Enzenberg Canyon, climbs up to another dirt road, crosses California Gulch and then crosses FR 62. After a few small ridges, the trail comes to the upper end of Oak Tree Canyon, where it follows the canyon down toward Hwy 83.