ATASCOSA LOOKOUT

MOUNTAIN RANGE: Atascosa                             HIKABLE MONTHS: NOV thru MAR

TRAVEL MILES: 100 ROAD CONDITION: 2 (Ruby Road graded gravel)

TYPE OF HIKE: B – Moderate                               HIKE MILES: 5.0

TRAIL CONDITION: 2                                           ELEVATION GAIN/MAX.: 1,600/6,240 FT

ROUTE TO TRAILHEAD: Take I-19 south to Ruby Road Exit 12 (AZ 289 - Peña Blanca Lake).  Turn right on Ruby Road and rendezvous at the 1 Mile Marker.  Proceed West on Ruby Road, bearing left on FS Rd 39 at the junction with the road to Peña Blanca Lake.  Pass the campground to start of unpaved road.  Drive 4.7 miles on gravel road to parking area on South side of road across from the trailhead.  There is room for 4-5 cars.  The trail marker is on the right and if you are not looking for it you will pass it, so watch your mileage.

PARKING AT TRAILHEAD: If there are many cars they will have to skillfully fit into the parking area.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: The trail begins at the trailhead sign on the north side of the road just across from the parking area.  The 2.5-mile trail to the lookout is easy to follow, although steep at times with many switchbacks.  There are great views on the trail and at the lookout.  Lunch at the lookout.  Return on the same trail.

This is a winter hike as there are only a few shaded spots near the end of the trail.

COMMENTS: Elevation at the Lookout is 6,235 ft.  The CCC built the lookout building, listed on the National Historic Lookout Register, in the 1930s.  Edward Abbey, author and conservationist, spent six months working here in l968.  He wrote about it in his published journals.  He also wrote many books such as Monkey Wrench Gang and Desert Solitaire.  In 1996, the Green Valley Recreation Hiking Club donated $500 toward restoration of this lookout and spent several days helping the Forest Service repair various parts to the building including re-shingling the roof.  Unfortunately, the building burned down during a major forest fire in 2010.  All that remains now is the foundation that has been upgraded by the Forest Service and may become a covered platform in the future.

BULLETIN DESCRIPTION: Hike to a former Forest Service lookout restored with the help of GVRHC volunteers.

DATA SUPPLIED BY: Margaret Bieber 2/1992; updated by Marylee Adamson 11/2003, Duane Dotson 12/2015

LIBRARY REFERENCE: Atascosa Lookout