upper green mountain trailhead

Brush Corral Loop and Maverick Spring – 2014/7/22

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
1407 Brush Corral Trail near the Brush Corral Shortcut Trail
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…

1407 Running on the Maverick Spring Trail
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.

1407 Ferns and Green near Maverick Spring
Green! Maverick Spring Area. July 2014.

Green Mountain and Point 6828 – 2014/7/13

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles

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…

1407 Near the summit of Green Mountain
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…

1407 Enjoying the view on the way up Green Mountain
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.

1407 Point 6828 from the Brush Corral Trail
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…)

1407 Looking up from Point 6828
Looking up from Point 6828. July 2014.

National Trail Days work at Upper Green Mountain, News

Posted - Charles Miles

On National Trails Day – Saturday, June 7, 2014 – from 8am to 12pm “The Coronado National Forest, Santa Catalina Ranger District along with REI and the Arizona Conservation Corps will be hosting a volunteer event Saturday, June, 7 in celebration of National Trails Day. Come join us as we work on brushing, trash clean up, trail restoration, and erosion control on our local hiking and mountain biking trails. Snacks, water and lunch will be provided!” – to get all the details see this page on the American Hiking Society Website. The Upper Green Mountain Trailhead is located just before San Pedro Vista 17.2 miles up the mountain on the up-mountain side of the highway providing easy access to both the Green Mountain Trail and the Incinerator Ridge Trail – both part of the Arizona Trail Wilderness Bypass!

2014/5/19 – Shooters litter national forest land by Catalina Highway – an article about a well known shooting destination just off the highway up the mountain – the site had been cleaned up and boulders/dirt added to discourage access but the site continues to be used and this article reports that trash is already a problem again. While Coronado National Forest officials have indicated shooting here is legal it seems like it might not be appropriate.

Mt Lemmon prepares for wildfire season, fire department worries about campers, Obey fire restrictions, avoid hefty fines – Several articles discussing and re-iterating the fire danger this season.