Hiking

The Sonoita Creek watershed provides a  variety of hikes.

 Spring Hike  Schedule

Please call for reservations.  If you reach a machine, leave your name, contact number and the number of people in your group.  Someone will attempt to notify you if there is a schedule change or cancellation due to weather or illness.

Hikes are free except if they originate at Patagonia Lake State Park, then an annual pass or $10 admission for four applies.  Wear sturdy shoes and clothing layers suitable for various temperatures during the day.  Bring water, food, and perhaps a walking stick.

Feb. 9 (Thurs.)  Arizona Trail from Apache Springs to Kentucky Camp, 5.2 miles (with shuttle). Visit the Santa Rita Water Company’s restored buildings and follow the pipeline through the foothills east of Mt. Wrightson.  Views, birds, nice trail.  Meet at the Patagonia Post Office at 8:30. Hike leaders Chris and Mary Strohm. 530-545-1191

Feb. 18 (Sat.)  Bushwhack through challenging terrain to view the proposed Hardshell Mine area south of Patagonia in the Patagonia Mts. 4 miles.  Meet at the Patagonia Post Office at 8:30am. Hike leader Gooch Goodwin. 520-820-5101

Feb. 22 (Wed.)  Walk along the route of the New Mexico & Arizona Railroad around Patagonia Lake and Arizona State Trust Land.  About 4 miles, moderate difficulty, within one mile of parking. Meet at the Visitor Center in Patagonia Lake State Park at 9:00 am and carpool to the trail head. Hike leader Allyson Armstrong, 520-287-2791.

WED MARCH 14
Join Greg Scot on a stroll along the Rail Road Trail in Sonoita Creek State Natural Area.
Meet a the Patagonia Lake State Park Visitior Center at 9:00 AM to carpool to the trailhead. Call for information or to register at 520-287-5149.

SAT March 24
Speaker: Tom Meixner, on Hydrology and Water Resources. Cady Hall in Patagonia
Library, 2:00 PM. All are invited. Brief Annual Meeting of Friends of Sonoita Creek
prior to Meixner’s presentation.

SAT March 31
Hike with geologist Bob Handfield to a to-be-announced destination. About 5 miles.
Meet at the Patagonia Post Office at 8:00 AM. Call to register at 520-820-5101.
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Hiking through ocotillo on State Trust land near Lake Patagonia.

Easy walks -along Sonoita Creek in Patagonia Lake State Park, The Nature Conservancy’s Patagonia-Sonoita Nature Preserve, the Montessori school’s Animal Tracks Trail, and the Patagonia Railroad Track Trail.

Moderate difficulty – 3-10 mile trails and back country camping are available in the Arizona State Parks’ Sonoita Creek State Natural Area, and in the Coronado National Forest.

Patagonia Area

Patagonia Lake State Park and Sonoita Creek State Natural Area

(The Arizona Trail which spans the length of the state passes east of Patagonia.)