Wrightson Wilderness

Hike Name: Wrightson Wilderness Location: southeast AZ Length: 11 Submitted by: Ryan Date Submitted: 11/16/07 Rating:	more Arizona trail reviews Arizona national parks Arizona state parks
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Description
This thru-hike starts at Madera Canyon and ends at Florida Canyon (pronounced Floreeda) near the Florida Work Center. The hike begins climbing through Madera Canyon to Josephine saddle. There are two routes, The super trail and the old baldy trail, both end at Josephine saddle and the distance is about he same. From Josephine saddle, continue up to Old Baldy Saddle on the old baldy trail which ultimatly leads to Mt. Wrightson. The trail switchbacks through a boulder feild and has a climactic ending upon reachingn the saddle. Not to worry, the best is still to come. Once at the old baldy saddle, continue up the last mile to the summit. Views of surrounding mountains can be obtained from the summit. You can see the Chiricahua, Mule, Dragoon, Huachuca, Grahm, Whetstone, Santa Catalina, Rincon, and Tucson mountains, to include Picacho Peak on a clear day, plus more!!! A neat place to camp, if backpacking, is Old Baldy Saddle. Water access may seem difficult, but its there. Walk past old baldy spring about .2 mile to a deep draw. Fire most likely re-routed the water to here. Find a small pool (20ft below the trail) It may not be obvious water is here. Also, Bellows spring is an option, but further with a dramatic elevation change.Backpacker magazine recently rated Mt Wrightson the best star-gazing campsite in the counrty. The observatory on nearby Mt Hopkins makes be believe theres some credibility in the claim. Once back to the saddle, continue along the crest trail NORTH. The trail at times becomes a little difficult to follow, proper map awareness should prevent "an accident". Getting lost. The crest trail is a lot less traveled than the Madera Canyon trails and old baldy trail. Continue a few miles and arrive at a sign for armour spring. Status of the spring is not availible, sorry. Continue to Florida Saddle. From here, the Florida canyon trail begins to decend into Florida Canyon. A sign warns that the area is closed due to fire damage. I will warn the fire damage will make following this trail very difficult to travel, and if panicked and rushed, injury may result due to difficult terrain and trail erosion. Personally, I lost the trail a few times. If in doubt or lost, follow the creek. Treatable water is accessable in Florida Canyon. The views are very nice throughout the canyon. The trail ends at a lot several yards away from the Florida Work center, get picked up here.

Directions to Hike
From Tucson, travel south on I-19 to exit 63. A sign will incate this is the exit for Madera Canyon Recreational Area. Exit and turn left, travel under the highway. Continue about 2 miles to Continental, turn right at the sign indicating Madera Canyon Recreational Area. Follow the road about 7 more miles. Stay on the paved portion and it will take you directly to the trailhead in Madera Canyon.
To reach Florida Work Center, you will travel almost the same route EXCEPT, In continental, turn at sign for Madera Canyon as explained above. About 2/3 of the way to the canyon, the road splits. A dirt road breaks away from the paved road and heads LEFT. A sign indicates the dirt road is the way to Florida work center. Follow dirt road about 3 more miles, stay right. The trailhead is there near the end of the road just before the work center. The dirt road is not difficult for low clearance passenger cars. A plus.

Contact Information
Douglas Ranger District Phone: (520) 364-3468 1192 West Saddleview Road Douglas, AZ 85621

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