Incinerator Ridge Trail - Five Star Trails Tucson - page 77

climb to the top of the peak. The high point is marked by a log stuck vertically into
the summit rocks. Continue east about 100 feet to an inviting ledge with views in all
directions, pull out a snack, and relax.
Leopold Point (8,050 feet) isn't marked on most maps—I found it on an obscure
USGS map. It's probably named after writer, environmentalist, and forester Aldo Leo-
pold (1887-1948), who worked for the U.S. Forest Service in the southwestern states,
including two years stationed in Arizona.
The views here are superb in all directions. South is a precipitous cliff, Barnum
Rock, about 0.4 mile away, and beyond to the southeast is Tucson, backed by the
Santa Rita Mountains. East-northeast, back the way you came, has views of the radio
towers on Mount Bigelow. North are views into the San Pedro River valley. Bring a
map and compass and enjoy picking out landmarks, then return the way you came.
Nearby Attractions
The Palisade Visitor Center, 0.4 mile farther along Catalina Highway, has informa-
tion, maps, books, and a gift shop. It's usually open Thursday-Monday, 8 a.m.-4.30
p.m.
Rose Canyon Campground (877-444-6667, recreation.gov ) is reached by a
turnoff from Catalina Highway, 2.2 miles before Incinerator Ridge Road. With 74
sites, this is the largest campground on the mountain and has drinking water and
vault toilets, but no hookups. Spencer Canyon Campground (520-749-8700,
www.fs.usda.gov/coronado ), reached by a turnoff 2.1 miles above Incinerator Ridge
Road, has 62 sites and similar facilities. Both allow RVs or trailers up to 22 feet,
charge $18 per night, and are open mid-April-late October. Most sites are first-come,
first-served. For camping in winter, see Nearby Attractions for the previous hike .
Directions
Follow the directions for Hike 12, Babad Do'ag Trail , to reach Milepost 0 on Mount
Lemmon Road (Catalina Highway). From Milepost 0, drive 19.3 miles to the poorly
marked Incinerator Ridge Road, on your right. (If you reach the Palisade Visitor
Center, you've driven 0.4 mile too far.) Incinerator Ridge Road, unpaved but passable
for cars if you drive carefully, reaches the tiny parking turnaround after 0.5 mile.