Are You Telling Me I Could Have Driven?! Oracle Ridge to
Rice Peak
On April 2, 2016 we hiked up Oracle Ridge, along the Arizona
Trail, to a lesser known summit on the north side of the Santa Catalinas called
Rice Peak. Oracle ridge is the long slope which appears on the left side of the
Catalinas when viewed from the northwest
side of Tucson. The town of Oracle sits at the bottom. Rice peak is the high prominence
about 2/3 of the way from the town of Oracle to Mount Lemmon.
The hike from the American Flag Ranch follows the same route
as the Arizona Trail from just outside the town of Oracle. The grade for the
first half of the hike was moderate to easy, winding through the foothills of
Oracle Ridge, past some private property, in the elevation zone of thick grass
and scrub oak.
The climb is more challenging after that. As we climbed
Oracle Ridge, we took in views of northwest Tucson, Picacho and, in the
foreground, the Canada del Oro, which I did not really understand prior to this
hike. This canyon is tucked away northeast of Oro Valley between Oracle Ridge
and a forward facing ridge, and is actually pretty huge, originating at the
slope from the north face of Mount Lemmon, below Ski Valley.
After hiking for about 6 miles, now far from any structures,
and having only seen one group of Arizona trail hikers and no other people, we
were surprised to hear the sound of tandem small engines. Evidently, the oracle
ridge trail converges with an unmaintained jeep/ATV road in the middle section.
The climb up the road pretty much sucked. There are loose
rocks of variegated sizes, coated with dirt, which break loose with each
increasingly steep step. And, unlike any summit I have ever climbed, there is
actually a road that goes all the way to the top. Luckily for us, only 2 ATVs
passed by, right at the beginning of this three mile stretch. I’m guessing the
drive is almost as time consuming as the hike.
The summit, at over 7,500 feet, is crowned with piles of
river rock. Did not expect that either. The views from the top are impressive.
We were actually able to see Weavers Needle and Flatiron in the Superstitions,
east of Mesa. There are nice views of the San Pedro River Valley, the Galiuros,
and Mount Graham. There are also interesting views of the north face of Mount
Lemmon.
If you are looking for a summit in the Tucson Area that you
haven’t done yet, I would consider Rice Peak. It can be accessed from a couple
other trailheads from below, and can also be hiked down to from Mount
Lemmon. Or GPS logged 18 miles and 4300
feet of total ascent in the round trip hike from the American Flag Ranch
trailhead.
Getting there: there
are several trailheads which provide access to Oracle Ridge. Drive North on
Oracle Road and take the Oracle exit. The American Flag Ranch trailhead is past
the town, a little ways down the Mount Lemmon Road.
Your probably know this, but the west ridge of the Cañada del Oro is the Samaniego Ridge. There are a couple of peaks (Mule Ears and Samaniego Peak) which I'd love to climb, because I can see them right outside our window. The CDO trail was rehabbed a couple years ago. I think there are actually two trails, one following the stream and one that takes a higher route on the inside, near the top of Samaniego Ridge. Supposedly the Iron Door Mine was in the CDO. Check out this interesting article: http://www.outsideonline.com/1930256/liar-standing-next-hole-ground
ReplyDeleteVery Interesting. We should hike it this fall. I think it is accessible from above as well, if you start on Mt Lemmon. The trail intersects the Lemmon Trail about a mile from the trailhead if I recall. It's pretty long too, so maybe a shuttle would be in order... or a dry backpack? I know a guy who has done it on a mountain bike, but he told me there was a real sketch spot so probably not a great idea. If you want to hike it when it cools down some, let me know.
ReplyDeleteI have read reports of guys who biked down the CDO trail also. I think the section he's talking about required them to slide their bikes down on ropes? Anyway, the mtn bikers were the ones who worked with the FS to rehab it, I think. I would love to hike it this fall. I need to get in shape... The trail ends at the Gap road, which is a little crappy to hike down, but maybe not too much, and it comes out right by my house.
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