Question about Josephine saddle/canyon in the Rita's

[sharrack]

Has anyone accessed the bottom of the canyon from either salero canyon rd
in Patagonia or from highway 19 near Tubac?
Just wondering how the driving trail is going in .
Thanks K>s>

[randy883]

I have accessed it both by driving in on FR143 (Bull Springs Rd) and by hiking from Madera Canyon up the Vault Mine Trail and Agua Caliente trail to Mt Hopkins Rd, then down an old jeep track to the bottom where FR4082 comes in from its junction with FR143, then hiking back up the canyon to Josephine Saddle and back down Old Baldy trail to Roundup parking lot (that is a long tough day).

FR143 is pretty good from Patagonia through Alto to the junction with FR4082, which becomes a rough 4wd road for a mile or so before ending at the trailhead in Josephine Canyon. If you have a 4x4, then you can drive in that mile, otherwise just park at the junction and hike in.

I wouldn't recommend going in from the I-19 way, since the part of FR143 from the Mt Hopkins Rd to the mouth of Josephine Canyon is (or was) quite nasty in places.

Hope this helps.

[sharrack]

Thanks for the tips.
It looks like there is a driving trail off of I-19 south of Tubac that leads to that same junction.
Is that bull springs rd?
What exit is that off of?

Kenny

[randy883]

I haven't been that way. That is another road that heads towards FR143 south of where I have hiked.

[randy883]

The way I have gone in is to get off I-19 at Canoa exit, cross under the freeway and drive south on the frontage road to Elephant Head Road, the east across the river and rr tracks. Shortly after that, the Mt Hopkins Rd is on the right. The Bull Springs Rd is a right turn, a little ways before you reach the Smithsonian visitor center.

[sharrack]

How long of a ride (Time) is it to Josephine canyon from that turn off near the research center ?

Thanks for your help.
Kenny

[randy883]

I really can't give you an answer on that. Rough road in places and I only did it once years ago, but it isn't that far, so I would guess less than an hour.

[sharrack]

It's about 13 miles of pretty rough road and can take almost 2 hours of driving.
4wd is a must and I'd steer clear of the whole area during the monsoon because of the multiple places you can get trapped or not get through at all.
Not to mention getting trapped in the canyon during a storm.

p.s. - there's a graveyard of vehicles that never made the cut scattered along the trail..........at least 6

I may try it from the Patagonia side just for giggles!

Kenny S

[randy883]

Like I told you in my original reply...I would only recommend going in from Patagonia, as that approach is much better road. Sounds like you enjoyed that collection of abandoned vehicles as much as me!

[sharrack]

The reason I went in on Mt Hopkins rd was the time savings.
Going in from Patagonia is easily a 30- 40 minute longer drive on the highway south out of Tucson and a few more miles once you get off road as told by the signage on the trail.

The 4082 trail to the trailhead is not 1 mile from the 143 turn off.
It's listed as 2 miles at the turn off sign

I might add...........there is UDA activity in the canyon as is in most
Sky island ranges.

It was a good fact finding / scouting mission that will give me the ability
to better lay out my day the next time I go.
Kenny S

[SkyIslandHiker]