The Sky Islands Traverse is one of the Southwest's hardest and most remote long-distance routes. Created in 2010 by Brett Tucker (known for the Grand Enchantment Trail), this 520-mile spiral connects ten isolated mountain ranges rising from the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts in southeastern Arizona. Starting at Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains, the route weaves through the Huachuca, Santa Rita, Rincon, Santa Catalina, Galiuro, Santa Teresa, Pinaleno, Dos Cabezas, and Chiricahua ranges.
This is a route, not a trail. Expect substantial off-trail travel, bushwhacking, navigation challenges, and stretches of old roads alongside established trails. Very few hikers have completed the traverse. Recent wildfires (including the massive Horseshoe Two Fire) and the flooding that followed have reclaimed many miles of trail, so current conditions are far harder than the original route. The Sky Islands Traverse is recommended only for highly experienced backpackers with strong navigation skills, excellent physical conditioning, and comfort in remote, rugged terrain.
Total elevation gain is approximately 111,200 feet as you climb repeatedly from desert basins (around 3,500 feet) to mountain peaks exceeding 9,000 feet, passing through five distinct life zones from cactus desert to alpine forest.
No wilderness permits are required for overnight camping in Coronado National Forest wilderness areas or dispersed camping zones, which cover most of the route. The forest has a 14-day stay limit per 60-day period at any single location. All dispersed campsites are first-come, first-served with no fees.
Some route segments cross private land; Brett Tucker's original route notes indicate where permissions may be needed. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, and campfires may be prohibited during high fire danger (typically May-June, the arid foresummer before the monsoons arrive). Check current restrictions at https://wildlandfire.az.gov/fire-restrictions. Fireworks are prohibited year-round. When allowed, campfires must be fully extinguished, built in cleared areas, and constantly attended.
Bear canisters are not required, though black bears, mountain lions, and coatis live in these ranges. Some developed campgrounds have bear boxes. Large commercial or non-commercial groups need special use permits from local ranger districts.
Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) are the best windows. After a wet winter, spring brings desert wildflowers: Mexican poppies, lupine, and desert marigolds at lower elevations, coral bells and Chiricahua vervain higher up. Fall has golden cottonwoods along the creek corridors and clear blue skies over bronze grasslands.
Summer (June-August) is brutally hot in the desert basins, with temperatures exceeding 100°F before the monsoons arrive in early July. If hiking summer sections, plan to be in the highest ranges (Pinalenos, Chiricahuas) during peak heat. Monsoon thunderstorms (July-September) bring afternoon lightning danger on exposed ridges and flash flood risk in canyons, but also reliable water.
Winter is possible at lower elevations, but expect snow higher up; the Pinalenos' alpine zones may hold snow into May. Spring water is most reliable after winter precipitation, and summer monsoons replenish sources at the cost of afternoon lightning hazards.
Water sources are plentiful compared to many desert routes, but planning is still critical. The longest reported water carries reached 3 gallons on two occasions. The San Pedro River corridor has flowing water (some hikers treat it; you may also encounter cattle tanks). Springs in the mountain ranges are generally reliable after winter rains, but many dry up by late spring before the monsoons. Brett Tucker compiled detailed water source data in his GPS route files.
Resupply options are extremely limited, with minimal services anywhere except Patagonia:
Patagonia (approximately mile 0-119): Full-service small town with grocery stores (Patagonia Market, Red Mountain Foods), restaurants, lodging, and a post office. TerraSol has hostel-style camping with showers.
Summerhaven (approximately mile 119-246): Tiny mountaintop village atop Mount Lemmon. Post office and the Mt. Lemmon General Store, which is surprisingly well-stocked. All businesses close by 4-5pm; show up on weekdays. No overnight accommodations.
Klondyke (approximately mile 246-322): Very limited services. Package delivery requires specific instructions; essentially no amenities.
Bowie (approximately mile 322-436): Post office, mini-mart, and two gas stations. Requires a 9-mile hike or hitchhike from the route.
Portal (approximately mile 436-520): Cave Creek Ranch has cottages with kitchens, plus a cafe. It sits in Cave Creek Canyon, a spectacular setting popular with birders. No cell service; limited WiFi near the office.
Mail drops work best at Patagonia and Portal. Carry 7-10 days of food between resupply points.
Fire Damage & Route Conditions: The Horseshoe Two Fire burned 75% of the Chiricahua range at moderate to high severity, and severe monsoon erosion and flooding followed. Many trail sections have been overgrown or washed out. From Summerhaven onward, expect increasingly remote, rugged, and undefined terrain. The original route information website has gone on hiatus because fire and flood damage left the route far harder than it was designed to be.
Navigation: This is the primary challenge. Extensive off-trail sections, faint or non-existent trails, and post-fire route changes demand expert map and compass skills plus GPS capability. Hikers report using Brett Tucker's detailed GPS files, though conditions have changed significantly since 2010.
Lightning: Monsoon thunderstorms (July-September) bring daily afternoon lightning danger, and Arizona ranks high nationally for lightning deaths. Stay off exposed ridgelines and summits during storms, and descend to lower elevations at the first sign of buildups. Lightning can strike 5-10 miles from a visible storm.
Wildlife: Western diamondback rattlesnakes are common at lower elevations and active during warmer months. Black bears, mountain lions, and coatis live in the mountain ranges. The New Mexican ridge-nosed rattlesnake (endangered) lives at higher elevations.
Heat & Dehydration: Desert basin crossings can exceed 100°F. Combined with long water carries and big elevation gains, heat exhaustion is a serious risk, especially pre-monsoon (May-June).
River Crossings: The San Pedro River flows through the desert valleys and is generally shallow, but verify flow conditions. Post-monsoon crossings can be swift.
Tucson International Airport (TUS) is the nearest major airport, approximately 75 miles west of the typical eastern starting point (Cochise Stronghold). Seven rental car companies operate on-site. Most hikers rent vehicles to shuttle themselves between trailheads or to reach the start.
Cochise Stronghold Trailhead (Eastern Start): From Tucson, take I-10 east 72 miles to US 191 south. Drive 18 miles to Ironwood Road, turn right (west), and continue 9 miles to Cochise Stronghold Campground. The final 3.8 miles are maintained dirt road passable to most passenger cars. A day-use parking fee applies ($8 if you have no recreation pass). Trailhead parking is near the campground bathrooms.
Portal (Chiricahua Terminus): Cave Creek Canyon and Portal are reached via US 80. Driving from Tucson takes 2.5-3 hours. Portal to Cochise Stronghold is close to 3 hours, which is why many hikers shuttle their own vehicles before starting.
No commercial shuttle services are specifically advertised for this route, likely because demand is low and the route is obscure. Arrange a private shuttle from Tucson or self-shuttle with two vehicles.
Download Brett Tucker's GPS data before departing; cell service is non-existent on most of the route. Paper maps are essential backup. Bring USFS Coronado National Forest maps and the relevant USGS 7.5' quads.
Plan shorter daily mileage than you would attempt on established trails. Bushwhacking, navigation stops, and route-finding slow progress considerably. Most successful hikers averaged 25-35 miles per day, but they reported this took strong fitness and long days.
Treat the San Pedro River water and cattle tank water. Higher elevation springs are generally cleaner, but always filter or treat.
Seasonal timing matters: avoid May-June (extreme heat, high fire danger, dry conditions) unless you are experienced in desert travel. Spring (March-April) has moderate temperatures and decent water. Fall (September-October), after the monsoons, has replenished water sources and cooler weather, though afternoon thunderstorms continue into September.
Carry a communication device (satellite messenger/PLB). The remoteness and navigation challenges of this route add significantly to emergency response times.
Leave a detailed itinerary with someone at home, including expected check-in dates at resupply points. With long stretches between towns and remote terrain, a delay can go unnoticed.
Visit the Coronado National Forest website before departure to check fire restrictions, closures, and alerts for the districts you will cross (Safford, Santa Catalina, Nogales, Sierra Vista, Douglas districts).
Pick your trailheads, choose campsites, and build a day-by-day itinerary. Hikeset tracks your gear, meals, and group so nothing gets left behind.
Start PlanningFree account. No credit card needed.
Hikeset Beta