Mica Mountain via Douglas Spring in Saguaro National Park, AZ

Hike Mica Mountain via Douglas Spring Saguaro National Park, AZ

Class 1 27.2 miles 6800 gain 10-14 hrs Out + Back Oct 10, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Mica Mountain via Douglas Spring GPX Track

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Mica Mountain is the high point of the Rincon Mountains, and reaching its summit from any direction requires a long hike. I originally planned to hike Mica Mountain and Rincon Peak from the Miller Creek Trailhead and continue north from Rincon Peak in order to get both peaks in a day. After more thought, I was more excited to experience more of the range and instead split the two peaks up into separate hikes. This also reduced the hike length a bit, which is saying a lot since this was a 26+ mile day already. My plan change resulted in accessing Mica Mountain via what I believe is the more standard route, which uses the Douglas Spring Trailhead. Generally people do this hike as a backpacking trip due to its length, but I couldn't imagine spending more than a day in this area. A note from my friend Kevin: "The key to finishing this hike is a good battery and internet connect. It is imperative you have a friend to make fun of or you'll get too bored to finish."

The hike is long and mostly uninteresting, but you get the benefit of hiking through the significant landscape transformation from saguaro cacti-riddled desert to the ponderosa pine forest at the higher altitude. There was also the occasional expansive view into the desert below, but being that Mica Mountain is just a big green hump, the views got old quickly. Needless to say I was delighted to be back to my car by the end of the day. In hindsight, the route from the east via the Miller Creek Trail is a lot more interesting and I kind of wish I had just done Mica and Rincon as one big day. I don't mean to sound so negative about this hike; if you like solitude and long, boring walks, you'll love this one.

I started out at the Douglas Spring Trailhead within Saguaro National Park, a popular trailhead used for accessing Bridal Wreath Falls. The hike heads through the desert along the Douglas Spring Trail. A couple of miles into the hike a spur trail leads away to get to Bridal Wreath Falls, but  I couldn't be bothered to check it out with how many miles I had ahead of me. Past this junction the number of people I saw was reduced to zero except for a small group of backpackers later in the day. The Douglas Spring Trail wound through the desert with some pretty uninspired scenery overall as it led to the Douglas Spring Campground. I could see the colossal green hump of Mica Mountain still so far in the distance.

Once I reached the Douglas Spring Camground (yay it had a bathroom!), I crossed a lightly trickling creek and continued south on the trail up to Cow Head Saddle. Along this section I could visibly see the desert fade away, enter brushy terrain, and then ascend to taller trees. Though not steep, I thought this was the most dramatic change in the landscape for the hike. Cow Head Saddle is a junction of multiple trails, and I continued east along the western ridge of Mica Mountain by taking the Cow Head Saddle Trail. The trail continues to be easy to follow as it ascends the mountain, sections of scrubby flora giving way to open views. One spot even had a nice lookout toward Rincon Peak to the south. I mostly just tried to rush through the hike since I was growing increasingly bored. Helens Dome came into view. I was tempted to try to summit this intimidating-looking rocky dome, but it seemed like it would be a significant undertaking. Instead I passed by the dome and entered a pleasant forested section that continued to the base of Spud Rock. I  highly recommend taking the very short detour to this unranked peak because it's the by far the best views of the day, since Mica Mountain offers none. A social trail wraps to the right of Spud Rock's base and to its slickrock summit.

It was a short hike to Mica Mountain after leaving Spud Rock, but I didn't stay long amongst the trees since I now had to go back the 13+ miles. Lovely.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Spud Rock
8613 ft
133 rise
2
Mica Mountain
8664 ft
4608 rise

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Starting from the Douglas Spring Trailhead.
Starting from the Douglas Spring Trailhead.
Mica Mountain visible in the distance somewhere up there.
Mica Mountain visible in the distance somewhere up there.
A switchback along the Douglas Spring Trail. Lots of saguaro cacti and pretty bland desert scenery.
A switchback along the Douglas Spring Trail. Lots of saguaro cacti and pretty bland desert scenery.
One of the prettier sections along the lower portions of the Douglas Spring Trail.
One of the prettier sections along the lower portions of the Douglas Spring Trail.
Junction with the Bridal Wreath Falls Trail.
Junction with the Bridal Wreath Falls Trail.
View back. The trail came from the left of the hump in the center.
View back. The trail came from the left of the hump in the center.
Close-up toward Bridal Wreath Falls.
Close-up toward Bridal Wreath Falls.
Continuing along the Douglas Spring Trail.
Continuing along the Douglas Spring Trail.
Mica pokes out up there, though I believe what you can see in the center is actually Helens Dome, a big rock along the way to Mica.
Mica pokes out up there, though I believe what you can see in the center is actually Helens Dome, a big rock along the way to Mica.
Image 9 from gallery
Image 10 from gallery
It's pretty at times, but just so damn long. Helens Dome seen center.
It's pretty at times, but just so damn long. Helens Dome seen center.
Image 12 from gallery
Looking back.
Looking back.
Douglas Spring Campground. Just past this sign the trail crosses a creek and continues on the opposite side.
Douglas Spring Campground. Just past this sign the trail crosses a creek and continues on the opposite side.
Heading south now and out of the desert.
Heading south now and out of the desert.
The Douglas Spring Trail parallels a watercourse as it enters scrubby terrain.
The Douglas Spring Trail parallels a watercourse as it enters scrubby terrain.
Ascending to the south.
Ascending to the south.
Image 18 from gallery
View back. The Douglas Spring Campground is down on the left somewhere.
View back. The Douglas Spring Campground is down on the left somewhere.
Progress up to Cow Head Saddle.
Progress up to Cow Head Saddle.
Image 21 from gallery
Some cool rock outcrops visible above. The route leads below them in a bit.
Some cool rock outcrops visible above. The route leads below them in a bit.
Cow Head Saddle. The rock outcrops from the previous photo visible ahead. I headed east along the Cow Head Saddle Trail.
Cow Head Saddle. The rock outcrops from the previous photo visible ahead. I headed east along the Cow Head Saddle Trail.
View back, Tanque Verde Peak visible on the left.
View back, Tanque Verde Peak visible on the left.
Progress up Mica Mountain's west ridge.
Progress up Mica Mountain's west ridge.
So, so long.
So, so long.
View back, the occasional view quite nice.
View back, the occasional view quite nice.
View back, Tanque Verde Peak visible right of center.
View back, Tanque Verde Peak visible right of center.
Image 29 from gallery
Leaving the scrubby landscape and entering more forested terrain.
Leaving the scrubby landscape and entering more forested terrain.
Image 31 from gallery
Image 32 from gallery
View back.
View back.
Still hiking along Mica Mountain's west ridge. I tried to include photos of any highlights I saw. But yeah, there weren't many.
Still hiking along Mica Mountain's west ridge. I tried to include photos of any highlights I saw. But yeah, there weren't many.
A nice lookout toward Rincon Peak.
A nice lookout toward Rincon Peak.
Helens Dome comes into view, finally.
Helens Dome comes into view, finally.
Very pretty section that feels more cozy and forested as I near Helens Dome.
Very pretty section that feels more cozy and forested as I near Helens Dome.
Helens Dome ahead.
Helens Dome ahead.
View back through the forest.
View back through the forest.
Looking back after passing Helen Dome (top right).
Looking back after passing Helen Dome (top right).
Making my way up to Spud Rock.
Making my way up to Spud Rock.
A junction, keep right. The trail will lead away from the ridge for a short time, but switchbacks back up to it.
A junction, keep right. The trail will lead away from the ridge for a short time, but switchbacks back up to it.
View back toward Helens Dome.
View back toward Helens Dome.
Another junction, take the switchback.
Another junction, take the switchback.
Another shot back, Helen Dome visible center.
Another shot back, Helen Dome visible center.
Spud Rock comes into view on the left.
Spud Rock comes into view on the left.
The trail leads up to the saddle between the two big rocks ahead. Left one is Spud Rock.
The trail leads up to the saddle between the two big rocks ahead. Left one is Spud Rock.
Sign for Spud Rock. Head along the social trail and keep right around the base of Spud Rock.
Sign for Spud Rock. Head along the social trail and keep right around the base of Spud Rock.
Spud Rock summit, view toward Mica Mountain ahead.
Spud Rock summit, view toward Mica Mountain ahead.
Spud Rock summit, close-up toward the Santa Catalina Mountains (Mount Lemmon).
Spud Rock summit, close-up toward the Santa Catalina Mountains (Mount Lemmon).
Spud Rock summit, view west.
Spud Rock summit, view west.
Close-up toward Helens Dome.
Close-up toward Helens Dome.
Spud Rock summit, view toward Rincon Peak.
Spud Rock summit, view toward Rincon Peak.
Close-up at Rincon Peak.
Close-up at Rincon Peak.
Back on the trail, an easy hike to Mica Mountain through the forest.
Back on the trail, an easy hike to Mica Mountain through the forest.
Mica Mountain summit, view back the way I came.
Mica Mountain summit, view back the way I came.
Forested summit of Mica Mountain.
Forested summit of Mica Mountain.

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