Tumacacori Mountains High Point in Coronado National Forest, AZ

Hike Tumacacori Mountains High Point Coronado National Forest, AZ

Class 2 7.9 miles 2700 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Apr 3, 2024
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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The Tumacacori Mountains are named for an old Spanish mission that has its National Historic Park, but as usual, I was more interested in the unnamed high point of the range rather than the human history. You'll probably want at least some clearance to reach the trailhead, a Crossover SUV being sufficient. In order to drive past where I parked, you'll want an ATV since it's in such disrepair. However, the road walk is actually quite beautiful to hike along, so I definitely didn't mind. The hills to the left were lush with spring greenery. The bright yellow cliffs to my right lined the eastern face of the range, creating serious bands that seem unlikely to provide a fun route. Although tempting since the high point was basically directly above me, I chose to hike the road and gain elevation more slowly. Others have reported a more direct route requiring lots of bad bushwhacking.

I made my way along the road, my goal being to gain the southern ridge of the range. After a bit under two miles, the road ascended more steeply and then started to curve away from the ridge, so I left it and ascended a wide and steep gully to gain the ridge crest. The brush was low and not too much of a problem, the worst of it being at the start. There's a faint, steep social trail up this gully if you can manage to stay on it.

I gained the ridge crest and started north, the views opening up dramatically. The ridgeline actually had a faint trail, which oddly only became better as I progressed, often feeling like a real trail. There were discarded gallon jugs of water and various articles of clothing along the way. To date, I've never seen any undocumented migrants despite my many hikes near the Mexican border, but I thought if it were ever going to happen this would be the day.

The ridgeline was a bit lumpy, but the trail made progress quick. I gained the minor bump of Tumac Benchmark, which had a great view toward the sloped high point ahead, before dropping down to its saddle with the high point. The last few hundred feet to the summit didn't have a trail, but the grasses were mostly non-prickly and the slope grade was tame. I was very surprised at how beautiful this range was, the cliffy faces very colorful and sort of embodied much of what southern Arizona's landscape has to offer. I was thrilled I had chosen to do this hike today, despite the range seeming quite unassuming from I-19 below. Since the ridgeline required basically no bushwhacking and the lumps along it had been relatively insignificant, I decided to enjoy the views and head back the way I came rather than attempt to find a direct route back down to the car. 

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Tumac Benchmark
5636 ft
116 rise
2
Tumacacori Mountains High Point
5736 ft
1416 rise

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Starting along the rough road on foot.
Starting along the rough road on foot.
Image 1 from gallery
Passing some sort of water containment structure.
Passing some sort of water containment structure.
Beautiful cliffs on the right.
Beautiful cliffs on the right.
Ascending the road for a couple of miles.
Ascending the road for a couple of miles.
Beautiful green hills on the left.
Beautiful green hills on the left.
More colorful cliffs.
More colorful cliffs.
View back as I make my way along the road.
View back as I make my way along the road.
The road deteriorates significantly.
The road deteriorates significantly.
I headed up the gully seen right of center, leaving the road.
I headed up the gully seen right of center, leaving the road.
View back down the road before leaving it.
View back down the road before leaving it.
Steep, somewhat brushy gully.
Steep, somewhat brushy gully.
Top of the gully, looking down.
Top of the gully, looking down.
Onward along the ridge crest, where there was a good social trail.
Onward along the ridge crest, where there was a good social trail.
View back along the crest.
View back along the crest.
Lumpy ridgeline.
Lumpy ridgeline.
Tumacacori Mountains High Point center.
Tumacacori Mountains High Point center.
Closer shot oh the high point.
Closer shot oh the high point.
Along the good social trail, heading first over Tumac Benchmark.
Along the good social trail, heading first over Tumac Benchmark.
View back.
View back.
Tumac Benchmark on the left.
Tumac Benchmark on the left.
Tumac Benchmark, view back.
Tumac Benchmark, view back.
Tumac Benchmark, view toward the high point.
Tumac Benchmark, view toward the high point.
Tumacacori Mountains High Point ahead.
Tumacacori Mountains High Point ahead.
The trail disappeared, but it was mostly easy walking to the summit.
The trail disappeared, but it was mostly easy walking to the summit.
Rockier with some brush toward the top.
Rockier with some brush toward the top.
Tumacacori Mountains High Point, view back along the ridge.
Tumacacori Mountains High Point, view back along the ridge.
Close-up at the cliffs to the south.
Close-up at the cliffs to the south.
View north from Tumacacori Mountains High Point.
View north from Tumacacori Mountains High Point.
On my way back down, some nice lighting on the hills.
On my way back down, some nice lighting on the hills.

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!