Arizona Trail Passage 7: Las Cienegas

AZT Passage 7: Las Cienegas is a 12.5-mile point-to-point section of the roughly 800-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail. This moderately rated section runs from Lakes Road to Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead and is located southeast of Tucson, AZ. This section features singletrack trail, beautiful desert scenery, and expansive views. It is accessible for runners, hikers, long-distance backpackers, equestrians, and mountain bikers. Passage 7 crosses the valley between the Santa Rita and Rincon Mountains. The trail follows a singletrack path that rolls up and down grassy hillsides through fields of ocotillo, prickly pear cactus and creosote bush, and features spectacular views of the Empire Mountains to the east. Mesquite trees, barrel cactus and cholla line the singletrack trail that dips in and out of sandy washes, crosses dirt and paved roads, and uses culverts to traverse underneath Highway 83 and Interstate 10. Overall the terrain is fairly easy with only a few short climbs and a gentle descent to the north.NOTE: The Lakes Road Trailhead is not directly accessible by vehicles. However, there is an access point about .6 miles west of the trail along a two-track road. DIRECTIONSFrom Lakes Road the trail heads northeast past the Twin Tanks.It crosses several roads and goes under Highway 83 at a culvert. It crosses the Old Sonoita Highway and then joins a two-track road.It heads north up to Interstate 10 and crosses under the highway.It climbs up onto a ridgeline and follows that to the Davidson Canyon Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead.WATERCheck the Arizona Trail Water Report for current information at: https://aztrail.org/explore/water-sources/.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INFORMATIONArizona National Scenic Trail Association: www.aztrail.orgCoronado National Forest, Nogales Ranger District, 303 Old Tucson Rd., Nogales, AZ 85621 (520) 281-2296BLM Information Center (602) 417-9300.