Hike Carr Peak, Pat Scott Peak, Ramsey Peak Loop Coronado National Forest, AZ

Threat to Our Public Land!

Recent proposals could transfer or sell off national forests, BLM land, and wilderness areas. This threatens the trails, wildlife, and access we all love. Once they're gone, we don't get them back.

The push to sell off public lands is being driven mostly by Republicans. What's frustrating is that many who vote for this party still love hiking, hunting, and exploring. If you keep voting for politicians who promise to "cut red tape" and "shrink government," don't be surprised when your favorite trailhead is fenced off and leased to a mining company.

Resources

Public Land for Sale Map
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Utah is Not for Sale
About the Spending Package

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Carr Peak is the second-highest summit in the Huachuca Mountains, just behind the ultra-prominent Miller Peak. It’s neighbored by Pat Scott Peak and Ramsey Peak, both notable bumps along the range crest. A maintained trail system runs through these mountains, so planning a route to reach a few in a satisfying loop wasn’t difficult. Christian and I began at the Carr Peak Trailhead, which was accessible to cars with decent tires. The road was in good shape overall, though it was a little steep and rocky at times. I’d say passenger cars should use extreme caution. Signs warn “4×4 only,” but that seemed like overkill.

Originally, I was pretty set on starting from within the Ramsey Canyon Preserve to begin the loop from the base of the mountain range since the hike would have felt more complete to me this way. Plus, it would’ve been nice to see some flowing water within the reportedly lush and beautiful canyon. Unfortunately, the Preserve is closed on certain days of the week, and this happened to be one of them. In hindsight, I think the early-season altitude got to me by the end of the day anyway, so the additional 1,400 vertical feet might have been a bit much. Or maybe I’m just saying that now to make myself feel better about missing out on seeing the Preserve.

From Ramsey Vista Campground, we set out using the Carr Peak Trail (#107), with Carr Peak already visible above. The trail climbed steadily, winding through a few short forested sections that offered some early shade. The views were already excellent in all directions, and I even caught a glimpse of Ramsey Peak’s impressive cliff face in the distance, still to come much later. The trail wrapped around Carr Peak’s southeast slope before beginning the final climb to the summit.

We took the Carr Peak Trail until reaching its junction with the Crest Trail (#103), which the popular Arizona Trail overlaps for a stretch. Christian had his eyes set on Miller Peak, but since I’d already done it, we parted ways here. I continued alone to the north, descending a few switchbacks toward Bear Saddle. Most of the Crest Trail was under tree cover until the base of Pat Scott Peak. A short social trail led me up to its summit, where Ramsey Peak came into full view.

It seems the Crest Trail is no longer maintained farther north, likely because it soon enters Fort Huachuca. In fact, the route to Ramsey Peak requires hugging the military land divider for most of its length. The trail’s tread began to fade due to lack of maintenance, but it started off easy enough. With just a few undulations along the ridgeline, I made decent progress until a saddle to the west of Ramsey Peak. Here, I reached a fence line marking the boundary with military property. The route became much less obvious, with no clear social trail claiming to be the best option. Sometimes a promising trail would veer into thick brush or require annoying side-hilling. Generally, I recommend staying a bit below the rim, where the side-hilling avoids most of the brush.

To descend, I backtracked to the Pat Scott Trail (#123) and followed it down, with Ramsey’s towering cliffs visible for much of the way. The trail had nice switchbacks and even a trickle of water in the creek below. After a substantial amount of descent, I briefly joined the Hamburg Trail, then turned off onto the Comfort Springs Trail (#109) for a reasonable hike back up to Ramsey Vista Campground.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Carr Peak

9225 ft

675 rise

Pat Scott Peak

8722 ft

327 rise

Ramsey Peak

8755 ft

678 rise

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From the Ramsey Vista Campground, we started out from the Carr Peak Trailhead. Carr Peak seen top left.

Along the Carr Peak Trail #107.

A short forested section along the trail.

Carr Peak above.

Looking back down the Carr Peak Trail.

Carr Peak ahead, but the trail wraps around it on the left before ascending to the summit.

Ramsey Peak poking out distant right.

A switchback on the north side of the peak.

The trail wraps around the peak's southeast side. Miller Peak seen in the distance.

View back, to the north.

Continuing to wrap around Carr Peak.

A shot back, Miller Peak standing prominently to the south.

Carr Peak summit.

Summit of Carr Peak, view west toward Pat Scott Peak and Ramsey Peak.

Pat Scott Peak and Ramsey Peak close-up.

Carr Peak summit, view northeast toward the trailhead.

Back along the Carr Peak Trail.

Junction with the Crest Trail #103.

Pat Scott Peak in the distance.

Junction at Bear Saddle. I kept to the Crest Trail.

View back toward Carr Peak along the Crest Trail.

Pat Scott Peak seen ahead. The Crest Trail has lots of tree cover.

Pat Scott Peak just ahead.

View back toward Carr Peak as I start up toward Pat Scott Peak.

A social trail up to Pat Scott Peak.

Pat Scott Peak, view toward Ramsey Peak.

Continuing along the Crest Trail.

Next is Ramsey Peak, which begins along the Crest Trail, but the trail peters out in a bit.

Generally easy hiking, with some undulations.

I reached this fence line and the trail became much more difficult to follow. There were multiple social trails weaving around at times to add to the confusion.

Looking back along the ridgeline, Pat Scott Peak seen far left.

Ramsey Peak ahead. It was less efficient along the rim due to brush but the photos were nicer.

The hints of social trail are a bit below the rim, using some dirty side-hilling.

Ramsey Peak summit, view southwest. Pat Scott Peak left of center.

Ramsey Peak summit, view northwest toward Huachuca Peak.

I backtracked and took the Pat Scott Trail #123 down. Ramsey Peak's impressive cliff seen above.

Nice switchbacks on the way down the Pat Scott Trail.

Some lightly flowing water in the creek.

A saw three bears on my way down in this gully.

I briefly joined the Hamburg Trail, leaving it to take the Comfort Springs trail #109 to get back up to the Ramsey Vista Campground.

Looking back, Ramsey Peak seen center.

A view up toward Carr Peak.

Back at the Ramsey Vista Campground, a shot of the trailhead, Ramsey Peak in the distance.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!