Arizona Trail Passage 1: Huachuca Mountains

AZT Passage 1: Huachuca Mountains is a 20.5 mile point-to-point section of the roughly 800 mile Arizona National Scenic Trail. This section begins at the Mexico-U.S. border about two hours from Tucson, Arizona and is rated as difficult due to a long climb and extreme changes in elevation and climate. This section begins in Coronado National Forest, climbs up the spine of the Huachuca Mountains, and enters the Miller Peak Wilderness. The trail gains over 3,000 feet within the first six miles traveling from desert grassland to a conifer forest filled with fragrant pines and Douglas fir trees. Here, in the higher elevations, it is not uncommon for snow to remain on the ground well into the spring months. At the southernmost point you have cholla cactus, desert oak trees and expansive views of the San Rafael Valley - a unique Sonoran grassland environment. Your ascent continues along a rocky singletrack trail into the Huachuca Mountains, which are rich in cultural history, biodiversity, and expansive views into Mexico's northern state of Sonora. The trail continues to rise and fall for several miles across the high ridges of the mountains, before lowering into Sunnyside Canyon. From pine cones to prickly plants; the trail now descends over 3,000 feet, and continues north towards Parker Lake and the end of this passage. This remote section is not easily accessible and requires an out-and-back hike from Montezuma Pass just to reach the official start of the trail at the border (adding 1.8 miles to the total distance). This first passage beautifully displays the pristine nature and unique biodiversity that defines the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT).*Bikes are not permitted on trails in Coronado National Memorial or Miller Peak Wilderness. DIRECTIONS (northbound):Yaqui Ridge Trail to Montezuma Pass and the Crest Trail (#103)The Crest Trail (#103) from the Coronado National Memorial into the Miller Peak Wilderness. Left at the signed Miller Canyon (#106)/Crest Trail junction Left at the signed Carr Peak (#107)/Crest Trail junction.Left at the junction with Sunnyside Canyon Trail (#117). Sunnyside Canyon Trail (#117) to Sunnyside Canyon.Right at the AZT sign onto the Scotia Canyon Trail (#127).After crossing Forest Road 48 the trail turns west and reaches the Parker Canyon Lake Trailhead and the end of the passage.