Pusch Peak Southeast Ridge Route

The off-trail areas and/or unofficial trails used by this hike are currently CLOSED due to Bighorn Sheep Management Area Restrictions that are in place from January 1 to April 30 each year.

Pusch Peak and the Ridge to the top. December 2011.Pusch Peak and the Ridge to the top. December 2011.

Overview

Pusch Peak’s classic summit is most often accessed via the Pusch Peak Northwest Side Route from the Linda Vista Trailhead – certainly the quickest route to the top… But starting from the Iris Dewhirst Pima Canyon Trailhead there is a more adventurous – and perhaps more beautiful – off-trail adventure that takes a beautiful line up to Pusch Peak – the Southeast Ridge Route.

Hike Stats

  • Out and Back
  • 4.4 miles
  • 2,100' Elevation Gain
  • 2,100' Elevation Loss
  • Highest Elevation: 5,360'
  • Lowest Elevation: 2,900'

Location

Details

Drive

  • 9.5 miles from Speedway and Campbell
  • 20 Minutes from Speedway and Campbell
  • Vehicle Access: Paved Roads/Passenger Car

Pusch Peak Southeast Ridge Route Elevation Profile

Pusch Peak Southeast Ridge Route Elevation Profile

Driving Directions

Suggested driving directions from the Speedway and Campbell intersection in Tucson to the Iris Dewhirst Pima Canyon Trailhead:

  • Drive West on Speedway (6.2 miles)
  • Right on Euclid and continue on 1st Avenue (7.1 miles)
  • Continue onto Christie (1.4 miles)
  • Right on Magee (0.2 miles)
  • The road ends with the Trailhead on the right. This parking lot can be crowded/full on nice weekends/holidays.

Google Maps Directions from the Speedway and Campbell intersection in Tucson to Iris Dewhirst Pima Canyon Trailhead.

Trail Notes

[CueListWarning/]

  • 0.0 miles, 2900′: Park at the Iris Dewhirst Pima Canyon Trailhead. This hike starts on the Pima Canyon Trail (the only trail the leaves from this trailhead – the trail leaves from the east side of the parking lot). [Waypoint PC TH]
  • 0.5 miles, 3100′: Roughly .5 miles along the trail look for the best place to leave the trail and head up a ridgeline to a large rock outcropping (this outcropping is visible from the parking lot and shown nicely in this blog post) [Waypoint PPSE01]. I am not aware of a clearly defined trail or clearly ‘best way’…
  • 1.0 miles, 4500′: The rock outcropping is a good landmark on the way up and down [Waypoint PPSE02]. Hike to the NE end of the outcropping – a nice spot for a break!
  • From the NE end of outcropping head up the hill onto a ridge, as you get higher you will start to have views of Pusch Peak and the path along the ridgeline to the top.
  • Follow the ridgeline to the top! 2.2 miles, 5350′ – [Waypoint PP].

Pusch Peak is named for George Pusch who purchased the Steam Pump ranch on the west side of the Santa Catalina Mountains in 1874 – see the Pusch Ridge Wilderness for more details.

Maps

  • [MapGreenTrailsCatalina]
  • [MapSahcCatalina]

 

Pictures

2011 Dec Pusch Peak Christmas!

2011 Dec Pusch Peak and The Cleaver via Pima Canyon

Update Notes

  • 2014/7/27 – Split this page from the original Pusch Peak page that had both routes