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This section of the AZT is a beautiful challenge.


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Map Key

21.5

Miles

34.7

KM

78%

Runnable

8,273' 2,522 m

High

4,838' 1,475 m

Low

6,795' 2,071 m

Up

3,877' 1,182 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

49%

Max Grade (26°)

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Views

Description

Starting from Gordon Hirabayashi campground, this passage starts by ascending Bug Springs. In this section, it begins fairly exposed and switchbacks up a couple hills before traversing the ridge where you can see the Mt. Lemmon Highway to your west. As you gain elevation, the trail eventually dips and flows through some wooded creek beds. Once you reach the high point of Bug Springs, you'll quickly descend to the upper Bug Springs lower Green Mountain Trail. Beware of the cyclists enjoying the screaming downhill.

Green Mountain heading north is primarily uphill with just a couple reprieves. It's a steady run, and the further up you get, the less maintained the trail is but it is still pretty easy to follow. Expect fallen trees particularly in winter and spring months. At this elevation during the winter, you may encounter white powder if there was recent precipitation.

After Green Mountain Trail, you'll ascend Incinerator Ridge Trail #18A which provides some excellent views including Rose Canyon Lake. This is another popular biking trail so it isn't recommended to use ear-buds especially on the tight switchbacks. Incinerator connects to Kellogg Trail #45 which is a little more mellow but still a climb to the top of the Bigelow radio towers. From there, you'll take the Butterfly Trail which is quite the down and up section, keep a watchful eye for your exit on the right to head north on the trail toward Crystal Spring Trail before joining the Old Mt Lemmon Road.

Contacts

Shared By:

Chad Dailey

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 2 votes

#12

in Tucson

#13220

Overall
  4.0 from 2 votes
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Trail Rankings

#12

in Tucson

#441

in Arizona

#13,220

Overall
21 Views Last Month
1,175 Since Mar 3, 2016
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
0%
0%
67%
33%

Photos

Breath taking view off the Green Mountain trail just before you arrive at the San Pedro Scenic overlook on Catalina Highway
Sep 24, 2019 near Tanque…, AZ
One of several springs along the Crystal Springs portion of the AZT Passage 11b trail.
Sep 24, 2019 near Oracle, AZ
You could tell we were near the Butterfly Peak Natural Area.
Sep 15, 2018 near Tanque…, AZ
View during the Green Mountain Trail
Aug 19, 2018 near Tanque…, AZ
View of Rose Canyon Lake from the Incinerator Ridge trail just north of the Green Mountain trail junction on AZT Passage 11b
Sep 24, 2019 near Tanque…, AZ
One of the many scenic views of the San Pedro River Valley from the Green Mountain portion of AZT Passage 11b
Sep 24, 2019 near Tanque…, AZ

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