Monte Vista lookout loop

Hike Name: Monte Vista lookout loop Location: southeast AZ Length: 12 Submitted by: RedRoxx44 Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Arizona trail reviews Arizona national parks Arizona state parks
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Description
This was a nice Sunday stress reliever. From Turkey Creek TH some miles beyond the turn off for the monument, you drive the very good dirt road as it eases through the private property which is well posted. The TH's for this hike are well signed right off the road, which can be driven by a car.
The loop as I did it had two TH's---Mormon Ridge and Pole Bridge--separated by about a 500 yard road walk. Hard to get any closer.

I got an early start on the Mormon Ridge and it climbed steadily until it reached the Crest trail just short of the Chiricahua saddle. The usual-- pinyon juniper, Yucca, scrub oak etc until you get to the pines with a few aspen sprinkled in. The Mormon Ridge runs 3.6 miles by the map and 4 miles by the sign at the saddle.
From the saddle proceed on the Crest trail--the Raspberry ridge-- (the route to Chiricahua peak is signed "Aspen Saddle" and is also the Crest trail) thru a severely burned area by Paint Rock to the turn off for Turtle Mountain trail. Walk less than 100 feet beyond that sign and see the trail to the fire look out. It's short and takes you to some nice views and the buildings for the forest service personnel who run the lookout. I showed up when they had brought mules up to bring in propane and supplies. These guys were also part of a group who were going to do a prescibed burn up there (uh-oh, I think) and had left some supplies I noted at the Chiricahua saddle.

Well, the weather was great and warm and hazy unfortunately for the big views. Most of the trails were in good shape except for some tree falls and erosion here and there. My favorite part of this trek was beyond the turn off for Morse Canyon as it went into Pole Bridge Canyon. Part of the trail was so park like strolling along on the pine duff, easy no brainer hiking. Great views of the Chiricahua crest. Then it dives steeply so you will wish you had trekking poles if you don't.
Most intersections are signed although the signs are in various states of readibility and some are on the ground.

By the map this trip was a little over 12 miles, via the signs about 13 miles. It's a nice way to the Monte Vista fire lookout and a seemingly lightly traveled area.

Directions to Hike
From Willcox travel south toward the Chiricahua National Monument, from that turn off the approx 8 miles farther is the turn off for Turkey Creek, signed on your left or almost due east. It is a good dirt road. Follow it to the signed Mormon Ridge TH.

Contact Information
Coronado National Forest Headquarters
300 West Congress
Tuson, Az 85701
520-670-4552
Douglas District
520-364-3468
Sierra Vista
520-378-0311

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