My Favorite "Hard" Hike in the Huachuca Mountains
No owls, but still a great time in Scheelite Canyon!
Scheelite Canyon is most well known for its population of Mexican spotted owls.
We didn’t see any owls on our hike.
But all the flowers and butterflies almost made up for it.
So Kelly and I have this running joke (that’s better than calling it an “argument”) that “real hiking” has to involve significant elevation gains that get your heart rate up and make your muscles hurt.
The relatively flat hikes that I tend to prefer are (often pejoratively) referred to as “Todd Hikes™”.
A “real” hike that I actually enjoyed.
Scheelite Canyon is rated “hard” on AllTrails
During the 3 mile outward leg, there is almost a 2,000’ elevation gain.
This is NOT a hike I would expect to like even attempting.
But for some reason, I really have, both times I’ve been up there.
I don’t know, maybe it was the scenery, maybe it was the possibility of seeing a spotted owl, or maybe I’d just somehow convinced myself that the steep parts weren’t that bad.
But somehow or another I did this hike with barely a complaint.
Kelly was amazed.
Of course now she doesn’t see any good reason that I can’t do more “real hikes”.
Things you need to know:
This hike is in Garden Canyon on Fort Huachuca.
If you don’t have a military ID card, you will need to get a visitor’s pass.
M-F, go to the visitor’s center at the Van Deman Gage
On the weekends you can get a pass at the Buffalo Soldier Gate
You will need a driver’s license with real ID (the star)
You will have to be able to pass an instant background check.
Once you’re on to Fort Huachuca, it’s a fairly easy drive over to Garden Canyon.
When you come to a brick outhouse on the left and a playground on the right, you’ll have gone almost as far as you can in your car. You’ll need to park, go through/around the locked gate in the road, then walk about a 3/8 of a mile to the Scheelite Canyon trailhead (it’s well marked).
Let me know if you plan to come hike this trail.
Maybe we’ll see some owls!
Todd
Oh, I forgot to put this in the post.
In addition to water and food, you might also want to consider bringing bear spray just in case.
Ok, minus your bear comment, I really want to spend some time in that area just taking in the views!! Love seeing all your hikes.. whether "real" or not.