SKIT Day 20: Catalinas to the San Pedro River

Daily Miles: 20.5, Total Miles: 276.4

Mrs. Haze drove me up the Catalina Highway on a cool, clear morning and dropped me off at Palisades Visitors Center at 8,600′.

After our goodbyes, a short stroll down the highway to the Upper Green Mountain TH. A steep, uphill climb right away got me up and over the ridge to join the Brush Corral Trail. I was quickly rewarded with expansive views down the eastern flank of the Catalinas and the San Pedro Valley.

Access to the trail was recently reopened after the 2020 wildfires. I carefully picked my way down the nearly 5,000 ft drop down to the Bush Corral TH. In and out of burn areas, from the ponderosa forest to the desert floor. I don’t think the trail has been used much. A bit overgrown with erosion damage, it was still relatively easy to follow. Found some good spring water up Beuhman Canyon. This gave my quivering downhill muscles a break while filtering water and eating lunch.

I then joined a dirt road that took me the rest of the way down to Redington Road. Crossed the dry San Pedro River and retrieved my water cache a short distance up the San Pedro River Road. I took another needed hydration break on a warm afternoon. My stiff legs were feeling the downhill push.

I turned east on a gated, posted road that got me to state lands. Some concern about running into a resident or irate landowner. About a mile towards Redfield Canyon, I found a flat, less rocky spot and called it quits.

Surprised to find good phone reception, I streamed the NCAA basketball final for a while. I also said goodnight to Mrs. Haze, had a quick dinner and lights out.

Wildlife seen today included many screeching hawks, a few whitetail does with fawns, jackrabbits and a lone Gila monster crossing a road. No hikers seen today but not really expected.