Green Mountain Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Wildlife

The trail is covered with loose rocks, is quite steep, and covers uneven ground.

This trail starts just below the summit of Green Mountain (as shown) or can be done in reverse as an ascent. It leads from a trailhead at the San Pedro Vista on the Catalina Highway to the General Hitchcock Campground or you may continue to the lower trailhead on Catalina Highway. Good views start as soon as you step out of your car here where the Galiuro Mountains, Mount Graham and the wide San Pedro River Valley are framed by the pines and firs that cling to the slope below the overlook. The trail is located on the east side of the parking area behind a metal trailhead sign. Finding it can be a bit tough due to the large number of well-worn pathways that radiate from the parking area, but if you follow a line of rough rock steps up the slope you'll find that all the routes rejoin in a short distance into a well-defined trail that turns toward the panorama.

It quickly climbs a series of switchbacks before beginning a steep descent along a narrow, exposed section of uneven, rocky trail. The next three miles of rugged trail will drop nearly 700 ft before climbing halfway up again. At this point, you should reach a flat area with a mileage sign that splits three different trails. This is roughly the half-way point of Green Mountain Trail.

The second half of the trail is maintained to a much higher standard than the first half. You'll start by descending a short, steep rock face. No climbing gear is needed, but watch your footing; not all of the rocks here can support your weight. You'll continue down this trail and will have to deal with a few series of switchbacks. There are a few really nice places to rest along this portion of the trail that have great views of the valley. Towards the bottom of the trail there are some water bars that will be hard on your knees.

The trail takes you through a wash and enters into the General Hitchcock Campground. You'll likely run right into someone's camp so be respectful of their space. While you can exit the trail through the campground access, it also continues on another half mile to the lower trailhead and the terminus of the Bug Springs Trail.