Sonoita AZ: Old Pueblo Chapter, Pilgrim Hike on the Arizona Trail

This hike begins about an hour south of the UA – same as Madera Canyon – but VERY different. We will be walking about 7.5 miles round-trip in the meadowlands of the Santa Rita Mountains north to Kentucky Camp. The elevation differential is about 800 ft with no pavement anywhere on the hike. We will start at 8:00 AM on March 20th at the Gardner Canyon Trailhead on Gardner Canyon Road ( 31.71873° N, 110.75704° W) Here are the directions from AllTrails:

DIRECTIONS: Take Hwy. 83 south from the I-10 Freeway toward Sonoita. About 22 miles south and 3 miles north of Sonoita (past the Border Patrol Check Point) you will see a prominent sign saying Gardner Canyon. Take this dirt road about 5 miles straight west. Follow the signage–do not turn right to Kentucky Camp–you will ride there on a quicker route. At the Apache Springs Ranch, you will continue on Gardner Canyon Road (this is Forest Service Road #92) and not too far past Apache Springs Ranch (about 1 mile) there is a large and obvious parking lot. Park there and consult the signs.

Bring plenty of water and a lunch as well as any medicine/supplies you may require.