Searching for Papago Springs trail near Sonoita, AZ

Weather was perfect for a hike today: overcast and in the 60s.  Steve wanted to hike with me one last time before he flies to Los Angeles this Saturday.  I suggested we check out the roads in Gardner Canyon and then check out the Papago Springs trail south of Sonoita.  The Huachuca Hiker's Anonymous is leading a hike there this Sunday and I had never heard of that trail.  I didn't  even know that there were trails in this part of the Coronado National Forest. I took Zeke.

Gardner Canyon road proved to be mostly dry now, but there were still deep mud ruts in the road that were scraping the bottom of my Honda. We parked at the trailhead for the Arizona Trail but quickly saw the overflow of Cave Creek over Gardner Canyon Road.  Full-sized trucks could ford the rushing water, but not my Honda!  And it was no different on the trail itself.  The creek was rushing and we had no trekking poles nor waterproof shoes.

Papago Springs trail seemed all the more inviting,  We quickly turned around and drove to the trailhead off FR626.  We passed a few high-end homes south of Sonoita off this dirt road.  This was horse and cattle country now. We found the intersection of the service road with Papago Springs Road, but found no designated trail.  The area was a wide camping area with trough, fire rings and dirt roads going in all directions, but no trail.  Where was the trail?  One could get lost in this maze of trails. I opted to follow the road going south.  The roads were dry enough now, but a few mud puddles remain.

It was a pretty area once we got away from the intersecting dirt roads.  It was ideal hunting and ATV
country, studded with oaks, junipers and tall grasses over rolling hills.  Unusual conglomerate rocks stood out on the horizon, ditches were running with water.  It was ideal for us and the dogs.  We were isolated and I regretted not bringing more dogs.

We came across a windmill near a scenic creek.  We rested here near the cranking sounds of the windmill .  An old stone wall remained, and two old water troughs still stood. A faint singletrack followed the creek. We were now in cattle country.  We followed the creek, then turned back north on a dirt path (FR4607) forming a loop that went up a rocky hillside.  Large boulders and other interesting rocks balanced on this hillside. If we had more time, I'd want to explore these rocks. A ranch appeared off FR4607 and Papago Springs road in the distance.   A faint unmarked singletrack went up this hill and we stayed on this trail heading back to the car.  Cow paddies in all directions revealed this was a popular grazing area.

The views from here were spectacular.  We could see the snow-capped Santa Ritas, Huachucas, Whetstones, Mustangs.    There were distant mountains looking in all directions.  We both agreed this was an area we should return and explore some more.  Where do all those trails lead to? We never did find the official trail, but now I'm curious to find it.

We hiked a mere 4.25 miles in two hours.  We stopped at the Copper Brothel Brewpub where we shared an order of chicken nachos.  I had two 12-ounce glasses of the Madame de Bier Hefeweizen, a beer that was not on the menu the last time we were here last April.  It was quite good!  It was a nice way to finish off a lovely day of exploratory hiking.

I looked at the track we walked once I got home.  The Papago Springs trailhead was a tad north of where we started.  Papago Springs was bit father south from where we turned around.  Hopefully the hike on Sunday will show me the exact locations of trailhead, springs and historic troughs.