Rincon Mountain Wilderness Area

Description:

• The 38,590-acre National Forest portion of the Rincon Mountain Wilderness borders the Saguaro National Monument on three sides. It remains pleasantly remote in spite of the fact that it is relatively close to Tucson. One reason for its seclusion is that, except for a few rough 4-wheel drive roads on the Wilderness' northwest side and some trails leading into it from the Monument, access is limited to two trails off the Mescal Road (Forest Road 35) on the area's eastern side. This road, which leads through the communities of Mescal and Happy Valley, is generally passable to passenger vehicles.

  The Rincon Mountain Wilderness is rugged and steep with many deep canyons and rocky ridges. Portions of the area are difficult to reach on foot and virtually impassable on horseback. Miller Creek Trail is closed to horses in the Monument. Elevations range between 3,880 and 7,325 feet in the Forest, reaching 8,482 feet at the summit of Rincon Peak in the Monument. Settings in the Forest range from desert grassland to pinyon, juniper and oak woodlands.

  Motorized and mechanized vehicles and equipment, including mountain bikes, are not permitted in Wilderness.

  Water is scarce here, but some high country streams flow year round. Purification of water is recommended prior to use.

  Trails into the Wilderness offer quality opportunities for solitude among the area's secluded canyons and remote ridges. Both Turkey and Miller Creeks support good examples of desert riparian habitats. The trails that lead into these areas continue on into Saguaro National Monument and link up with an extensive trail system there.

  The 38,590-acre National Forest portion of the Rincon Mountain Wilderness borders the Saguaro National Monument on three sides and is located relatively near Tucson.