Oracle Ridge is beautiful today, flowers, green, big views and sections of great ridges.
Near the beginning of the Oracle Ridge Trail. July 2014.
As the Catalina Camp Trail descends the temperature starts to soar, but soon enough One Park Place appears and the trees along the East Fork of the Cañada del Oro provide some relief from the sun – water in the East Fork of the CDO is a surprise and we sit, relax and enjoy.
Flowing water in the East Fork of the Cañada del Oro. July 2014.
The loop in this direction ends with the steep climb up the stunning Red Ridge Trail.
Looking down from the Red Ridge Trail – Red Ridge on the left and Oracle Ridge on the right. July 2014.
The Oracle Ridge – Catalina Camp – Red Ridge loop is approximately 8.6 miles with 2500′ of cumulative elevation gain/loss.
Brush Corral Trail – near the junction with the Brush Corral Shortcut Trail. July 2014.
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…
Running up the Maverick Spring Trail – sun and shade in the pines. July 2014.
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.
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…
Near the summit of Green Mountain. July 2014.
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…
On the way to the summit of Green Mountain there are several rocky ledges that provide great views! July 2014.
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 in shadow – from the Brush Corral Trail. July 2014.
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…)
