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| Hiking | 5.04 Miles |
1,242 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.04 Miles | 2 Hrs 45 Mns | | 1.83 mph |
| 1,242 ft AEG | | | | |
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With Darrell’s fractured finger my hope of doing a shuttle for passage 2 fell through, but I did have one more day reserved at Parker Canyon Lake so I decided to make the most of my last day. First, I decided to visit Joe’s Canyon Trail. I had done a portion of it a few months ago when I did Yaqui Ridge. Today I decided to start from the bottom and see the rest of the trail. I didn’t sleep that well the previous night so I was up bright and early to start the day. I got to the TH right around 4:45am. The TH/trail isn’t immediately obvious. The best place to park is at the west end of the visitor center and then look to the south and west of where you parked. Across the street there will be a large yellowish sign which is next to where the trail starts.
In the first .5 miles you gain about 250ft with the assistance of numerous stairs. Views were limited because you are hiking “into” the mountain. At .47 you cross a dry wash. This wash accompanies the trail for most of the climb offering some pretty cool looks as the trail switchbacks by. From .47 to 1.05 the trail does some serious climbing with the aid of 7 switchbacks. This has you hiking along the wall of the mountain and provides some nice views to the San Pedro River Valley. From 1.05 to 1.2 the trail becomes relatively flat providing a brief respite from the climb. From 1.20 to 1.50 you hike through what I thought of as the “upper valley”. The trail has passed the mountain wall and you are now hiking in an area enclosed by three sides. You do 4 switchbacks during this time, gaining elevation. 1.5 feels like a false summit. It is a nice flat spot and feel like you have reached the top of the….saddle. There is more climbing to come as the trail takes a “relatively” straight heading for the west. This 1.5 mile point does provide your first view of Mexico. Very nice views to the east and the south. For the next .28 miles the trail does some modest climbing, becoming a little more aggressive at the end as it makes its way along the south slope of the hill you’re hiking. The trail becomes relatively flat for a duration, actually losing some elevation before starting a short climb that will bring you to the Yaqui Ridge Trail juncture.
This was my turn around point. My Garmin had me at just over 2.5 miles to reach this juncture. There is a bench (which I sampled) that provides some nice views of Mexico and Montezuma’s Pass. Joe’s Canyon Trail continues west, climbing along a saddle and then curving towards the parking area just below Coronado Peak. Having already done that, I turned around at the bench and headed back down.
Nice hike. However, after the first .5 miles, the trail becomes annoyingly rocky. I had my ankle tested on a couple of occasions. Wildlife was minimal. I did startle a deer near the top and in the distance to the south, I was entertained by coyotes saying good night as I hikes along the saddle. They may have been Mexican coyotes.  Had the trail to myself, though I did meet two ladies starting just as I finished. |
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