The upper section of Palisade Canyon – well above its junction with Spencer Canyon and the technical section of the canyon – is a beautiful place to visit. There is an easy trail down to the canyon off the Palisade Trail – but the trail quickly disappears and sections of (potentially challenging) off-trail rock scrambling flow together with puzzles of over-grown brush and fallen trees, be careful and know your limits if you try to travel the bottom of the canyon!
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!
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!
The idea was to take some night pictures of the Oak Fire from the San Pedro Vista and then get a workout on the Incinerator Ridge Trail – the Oak Fire was not as bright/visible as I hoped, but the storm, clouds and lightning were beautiful and and I sat for awhile about 1.5 miles up the trail taking pictures and enjoying the night.
The Oak Fire – currently burning in the Galiuro Mountains – was started by lightning on June 17th and is currently just over 11,000 acres – on Sunday smoke from the fire was clearly visible from the San Pedro Vista and at times on the Incinerator Ridge Trail and Kellogg Trails. InciWeb – Oak Fire.