| Rank: #19 | Summit Elevation: 8,999 ft. |
| Vegetation: Mexican pine species (Chihuahua pine and Apache pine), followed by Ponderosa pine, Engelmann spruce, and Douglas fir, aspen, and grassy meadows with wildflowers. | Frequently Seen Animals: white-tailed deer, snakes, black bear, coati, hawks, Mexican chicadee, many other birds. |
| Hiking Season: May - October |
| Name: Crest Trail #270 | Difficulty: Moderate but long. |
| Length of Hike (r/t): 19.0 miles | Trail Elevation Change: 899 ft. |
| Water: Drinking water at trailhead. Intermittent and non-potable water off trail at Tub Spring (2.4 miles from trailhead, 0.3 mile detour to the east down a trail to the left) and at Anita Spring (5.3 miles) | Trailhead Elevation: 8,100 ft. |
| Tips: The Crest Trail is not a single linear feature but a main trail with various spurs and loops connected to it. It runs along the main spine of the Chiricahua Mtns, and then branches east and west, with the east branch leading to Sentinel Peak. Downed logs common along trail since fire. Restrooms at trailhead. With all of the ups and downs of the Crest Trail, total elevation gained is over 1,000 ft. Hike can be combined with Flys and Chiricahua Peaks which are also reached from the Crest Trail. | |
| Hiking Permit Needed: Parking fee. | Maximum Group Size: |
| Dogs Permitted: Yes, leashed. | Horses Permitted: Yes (processed feed preferred) |
| Cross-country Skiing Permitted: Yes. | Mountain Bikes Permitted: No. |
| Safety Tips: Be sure to bear-proof campsites. Monsoon storms are common during summer months, sometimes lasting several days. Bring raingear and dry clothes, and take care not to get caught above treeline during thunderstorms. | |
| General Location: Southeastern corner of AZ | Trailhead Accessible to Low-Clearance Vehicles: Yes |
| Nearest Town: Willcox (to the north) Portal (to the east) | |
| Directions: From Willcox, take AZ 186 southeast to AZ 181. Turn right on FR42 (Pinery Canyon Rd.) and then turn right onto FR42D. Go 2.5 miles to Rustler Park parking lot. Trailhead is northwest from lot across main road.. | |
| U.S.G.S. Quad Name(s): Chiricahua Peak, Rustler Peak, Portal Peak. | Office of Tourism Region: Old West Country |
| County: Cochise | Managing Agency: Douglas Ranger District, Coronado National Forest, 3081 N.Leslie Canyon Rd., Douglas, AZ 85607, 928-364-3468 |
| Web Site: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado/douglas/Recreation_Opportunities/Trails/trails.html | |