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A secluded trail on the east side of Saguaro National Park.


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Map Key

3.9

Miles

6.2

KM

Point to Point

6,175' 1,882 m

High

4,213' 1,284 m

Low

1,986' 605 m

Up

26' 8 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

32%

Max Grade (18°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Views · Wildlife

No horses or mountain bikes.

Description

Exit I-10 at Mescal Road (Exit 297). Head north on Mescal Road which eventually becomes FR35. A high clearance vehicle is necessary to reach the Miller Creek Trailhead. Miller Creek Trail is the most popular way to access Rincon Peak or various campgrounds in Saguaro National Park.

The Miller Creek Trail heads in a westerly direction from the trailhead. After about a mile, the trail enters Saguaro National Park. The first 1.5 miles of the trail are fairly tame as you work your way to the mountains, but from there the going gets a bit tougher.

The Miller Creek Trail is a connector trail leading deep into the Rincon mountains. After approximately four miles, the Miller Creek Trail intersects with the Rincon Peak Trail, from here, you can return the same way you came in or continue on to the top of Rincon Peak. The round trip mileage from the Miller Creek Trailhead to Rincon Peak and back is approximately 16.2 miles.

An overnight option would be to take the Miller Creek Trail to the Happy Valley Campground, and set up camp. From this campground, you can either spend the night before heading back down the way you came, or you can take a lighter pack to Rincon Peak. Either option makes for an enjoyable extended outing. Please remember camping is only allowed in designated areas within Saguaro National Park. One must have a permit to camp in Saguaro National Park.

Just to be safe, plan on carrying all your water. There might be water in various places along the trail, but no guarantee.

Contacts

Shared By:

Chris McD

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 5 votes

#7326

Overall
  4.6 from 5 votes
5 Star
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4 Star
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1 Star
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Trail Rankings

#193

in Arizona

#7,326

Overall
14 Views Last Month
4,436 Since Oct 1, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

Looking east over Happy Valley with Little Rincons in the distance.
May 17, 2016 near Mescal, AZ
A look back east - first step up after canyon hiking.
Nov 22, 2020 near Mescal, AZ
Few miles back to the trailhead - dusk approaches.
Nov 22, 2020 near Mescal, AZ
View looking east across Happy Valley with Galiuro Mountains and Pinaleno Mountains in the distance.
May 17, 2016 near Mescal, AZ
Trail continuing through a boulder field.
May 17, 2016 near Mescal, AZ
As you climb away from Miller Creek, the trail winds up a boulder field.
May 17, 2016 near Mescal, AZ

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 75 days ago
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