Clouds from the Bear Canyon Trail – 2014/7/20
coronado national forest
Brush Corral Loop and Maverick Spring – 2014/7/22
At approximately 4.5 miles and 1500′ of elevation gain and loss from the Upper Green Mountain Trailhead the Green Mountain – Brush Corral – Brush Corral Shortcut loop is both beautiful (especially on the Brush Corral side of the loop – beautiful green ferns and trees right now) and quite a good workout – maybe if you are training for the Grand Canyon a loop at the top of the mountain to start the day, a nice break in Summerhaven and then this loop on the way down the mountain for a bit more vertical…
If you want just a bit longer hike the Maverick Spring Trail is an obvious out-and-back extension to this loop that adds approximately 1.6 miles, 500′ of elevation gain and loss and – this time of year – a beautifully green destination.
Green Mountain and Point 6828 – 2014/7/13
Just a few minutes from the Upper Green Mountain Trailhead the trail reaches a small saddle – from there the official trail heads downhill, but an un-official route breaks off to the south towards the top of Green Mountain. As you climb towards the summit of Green Mountain the route becomes steeper, looser and a bit less obvious (take care!), but you reach the top soon enough…
The summit area is flat and open – peaceful perhaps, certainly not dramatic – and it turns out that the most impressive views are from the rocky ledges and outcroppings that you can find on the way up…
After coming down from the summit of Green Mountain I had a little more time – I took the Green Mountain Trail to the Wild Burro Trail and then left the trail to follow a ridge out to Point 6828.
Point 6828 is not particularly prominent or impressive, but it’s small summit does provide a great view of the ridge above! (And if you do hike out to Point 6828 save a few minutes to continue just past the summit to a great spot under a beautiful tree…)
Butterfly Peak – 2014/7/6
About .9 miles down the Butterfly Trail from the Upper Butterfly Trailhead the trail reaches a small saddle with an old campsite. The Butterfly Trail continues downhill from here to its junction with the Crystal Spring Trail – but another trail, un-official but well worn, continues up the ridge from the campsite out to Butterfly Peak.
Along the trail to Butterfly Peak there are several nice spots under the trees to stop and near the peak there are nice views of both the top of the mountain and across the San Pedro River Valley – definitely worth a visit!
Spencer Peak – 2014/7/6
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!