Box Camp Trail

Description:

• Box Camp Trail provides some of the most dramatic views of any trail in the Santa Catalinas. It also challenges the wilderness traveler with some of the steepest and most rocky going. As you might expect, the most rugged sections also offer the best views. This trail extends between the Catalina Highway in the vicinity of Spencer Campground and the East Fork Trail in the Sabino Basin. During the summer, most people hike this trail from the top down. During the winter, use increases on the lower end of the trail. Starting from the top, the trail follows a pine needle carpeted course through magnificent stands of large ponderosa pines. If you would like to take an interesting side trip, Box Spring Trail #22A leads 0.9 mile to a perennial spring.

  Below the turnoff to the spring this trail begins its steep descent into Sabino Basin. This section is steep and brushy. In some places it can be hard to find. It is maintained infrequently, so if you do come, expect to work hard for the vistas that you will find here. They include views of Sabino Basin, Palisade Canyon and the sprawling city of Tucson in the distance. And in the fall aspen leaves splash the mountain slopes with gold.

  Before the Catalina Highway was constructed, this trail was the quickest access route to the Soldier Camp high on the mountain's pine-clad slopes, if you could ever call this quick.

  7.3 miles of this trail is within the Pusch Ridge Wilderness. Motorized and mechanical vehicles and equipment, including mountain bikes, are not permitted in Wilderness.

  Water can be found at Box Spring year-round and in some of the smaller drainages along the trail during the wettest months of the year. Purification of water is recommended prior to use.