box camp trail

Box Camp to Sabino Canyon – 12/13/2014

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
1412 Rain on the Box Camp Trail
Rain on the Box Camp Trail. December 2014.

The rain turned to sleet sometime after we passed Ski Valley, the drive up had been slightly faster than usual on the empty highway, when we got out of the car at the top of the mountain the area was a wet mess – no winter wonderland, just frozen slush – a change of plans and down…

The clouds were just as solid at the Box Camp Trailhead – but the water falling from the sky was not nearly as frozen. As my ride pulls away the cold makes me shiver, no where to go now but up the trail.

1412 Ridge Disapearing into the Clouds on the Box Camp Trail
On the Box Camp Trail – for an hour all I saw was the trail under my feet and the ridge twisting into the clouds… December 2014.

Lower on the trail, normally home to vast views, I spend a dreamlike hour alternating between watching the loose trail under my feet and the ridge twisting away into the clouds.

1412 Storm from the Box Camp Trail
On the left you can see the saddle where the Sycamore, Bear Canyon and East Fork Trails meet, a bit to the right the East Fork Trail is barely visible as it switchbacks down to the canyon. December 2014.

The grass is heavy with rain and the trail occasionally obscure – lower still the clouds break and views of Palisade Canyon, Sabino Canyon and the East Fork trail emerge. By the time I arrive at the end of the Phoneline Trail the rain is gone – I pull off my shell and head down the empty trail towards the city. Box Camp Trailhead to the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center, 12.8 miles, +680’/-5800′ of elevation gain/loss.

1412 Clouds over the Santa Catalina Mountains from Sabino Canyon
Storm – from Sabino Canyon. December 2014.

Spencer Peak – 2014/7/6

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
1407 Mount Bigelow Telescopes from Spencer Peak
Mount Bigelow Telescopes from Spencer Peak. July 2014.

While glancing at the map I noticed Spencer Peak… Close to the road and to the Box Camp trail, but I had never taken the time to visit…

I started on the Box Camp Trail for a few minutes, left the trail and followed the utility lines uphill and then when the utility lines take a sharp turn left them and followed the small ridge uphill to the peak.

I didn’t find spectacular views or a stunning summit – but for 10 minutes or so of effort it was interesting to sit alone on the peak and enjoy the mountain!

Box Spring Trail – 2014/5/5

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles

The Box Spring Trail appears on many maps – but it is fading back into the mountain. The sign that used to mark the junction with the Box Camp Trail is gone, the start of the trail has been obscured and the original track no longer exists.

1405 Obscured start of the Box Spring Trail
The start of the Box Camp Trail – obscured – and with good reason, this ‘trail’ is now at best a rugged off-trail adventure. May 2014.

The first part of the Box Spring trail is very overgrown, but it is still somewhat reasonable up to a small (rather nice) saddle (where you leave the trail for Brinkley Point) – below the saddle you can follow a path and cairns, but the trail quickly becomes much more aggressively overgrown, the footing loose and the route obscure. Eventually the route starts to follow a rugged drainage.

1405 Alison working down the drainage
Working down the drainage that takes you down to Sabino Canyon – not the original path of the trail, but now probably the best option… May 2014.

Sections of the drainage are filled with debris, part very overgrown and occasionally it is filled with Poison Ivy – barely a route except for the cairns I suppose… but the reward…

1405 Looking up Sabino Canyon
Clear water flowing in Sabino Canyon! May 2014.

Sabino Canyon! The Arizona Daily Star reported today that Sabino Creek stops flowing 3 weeks earlier than last 2 years at Sabino Dam – but here, high in Sabino Canyon, there is clear water, pools and flow…

1405 Pools and Cliffs in Sabino Canyon below Box Spring
Pools and cliffs below the junction of the Sabino Canyon and the Box Spring route. May 2014.

Box Camp, Sabino Canyon, Phoneline to Sabino Canyon Visitor Center – 2014/1/12

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
1401 Box Camp Trail almost down to the Saguaro
Box Camp Trail – almost down to the Saguaro. January 2014.

Top to bottom classic! There were patches of snow at the start of the trail but hints of winter disappeared quickly into shorts and t-shirt weather. Still a thrill after more than a decade to start high on the mountain and end down in town!