To here, we'd gained 1,300 feet in two miles. We crossed the road and found the trail, and started in. • The day was clear and we had hundred-mile views in all directions. These are compact but towering mountains that rise suddenly above the high-desert plains, like islands above the sea. I greeted them in my meager Spanish, and they greeted us back. We were back to the parking area at 4 p.m., the warmth of the day much more noticeable now that were lower in elevation. We spent about 20 minutes up top, resting and admiring the views from this lofty perch. The Carr Peak Trail keeps going past the Carr peak spur. I can’t speak to the other aspects of the location (honey, lodging, etc.) We decided to meet them head on. We summitted around 11:30 a.m., a five-mile hike with nearly 3,000 feet of gain. We noticed evidence of other crossers, including food wrappers, water bottles and an occasional piece of clothing. Miller Peak is the highest peak of the Huachuca Mountains in southern Arizona, not far from the Mexican border. We heard some bashing and voices in the trees, thinking it might be more Mexicans. Arizona is blessed with 5 total (Miller, Humphreys, Graham, Lemmon and Chiricahua), more then many other more “mountainous” states including Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and Oregon. We did not see a single other person on our hike out. We took our walk out slowly to allow for Beth's knees to rest. Nevertheless, it pays to pay attention, and if border crossers isn't your thing, the north trailhead from the Reef Townsite may be preferable. Instead, we elected to go hike up a desert summit on a day when the temperatures would be pushing 110 degrees in the lower elevations. We took a break. Occasionally, we would see the two guys a few hundred yards ahead of us. The Miller Peak Trail in the Huachuca Mountains climbs 3,000 feet over 5.5 miles to reach the highest peak in the range, giving hikers an unparalleled view of the surrounding deserts. but for birders, especially those visiting from elsewhere, it’s a well-known and great location to see a nice variety of hummingbirds – and other species if you continue up the canyon. Occasionally, we would see the two guys a few hundred yards ahead of us. The trail starts in the high desert grasslands near the Arizona/Mexico border, and ascends north into a rocky ponderosa pine forest before reaching the summit. We hoped the shade might offer some relief from the sun, but apparently every insect in the range thought so, too, and we had no respite from the bugs. We hiked down the mile to where the trails met, and we hiked another few minutes south on the Crest Trail, taking a break in a wide area in a glade of trees. So did I. We exited via Sierra Vista, and drove home that evening. After that, the trail gains steeper up the southeast-facing slopes, passing a few mine shafts along the way. Here, you’ll find good views down-canyon of the San Pedro Valley and the Mule Mountains around Bisbee while Miller Peak stands high above the canyon rim to the southwest. However, the insects were bombarding us, and it was warm, so we decided to get moving before too long. We drove to Sierra Vista on the 2nd, and stayed at one of its many chain hotels, a Quality Inn. They then asked us which way was out, as in if they follow this trail, will they get out? There was a good chance that a batch of them were hiding in the brush as we passed. Instead, we elected to go hike up a desert summit on a day when the temperatures would be pushing 110 degrees in the lower elevations. Here, we saw two men appear. These two guys were young and full of energy, but apparently did not carry a map. Hiking info, trail maps, and 20 trip reports from Miller Peak (9,466 ft) in the Huachuca Mountains of Arizona Instead, we elected to go hike up a desert summit on a day when the temperatures would be pushing 110 degrees in the lower elevations. Elevation change profile courtesy of Route Scout. Miller Peak is a spectacular landmark mountain located in far-south Arizona near the town of Sierra Vista and the Fort Huachuca Military Base. I visited Beatty’s hummingbird station recently while birding southeastern AZ with a group – and had a wonderful time. They had been dropped into the range by helicopter a few hours ago, evidently in hot pursuit of a large group of crossers. They asked us what peak that was, pointing at Miller Peak, so we told them it was Miller Peak. It can be reached via Miller Canyon for a tough and rewarding climb. The whole encounter lasted as long as it took for us to pass, perhaps 15 seconds. Then things got real interesting. Occasionally, we would see the two guys a few hundred yards ahead of us. hiking views nature-trips birding trail-running dogs-leash forest wild-flowers walking wildlife. We did meet two coyotes, and later, two agents. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from October until May. There was a good chance that a batch of them were hiding in the brush as we passed. The trailhead is usually busy with hikers and casual visitors, and the Border Patrol usually have some people parked here monitoring the area. Suddenly, two men in body armor, fatigues and assault rifles come bursting out, all excited, asking "if we'd seen a whole group of Mexicans pass through here." From this point, the trail continues to climb, visiting the stream a couple of more times and passing several more old mine sites before it intersects the Crest Trail #103 high in the Huachucas For Beth and I, this would be our second wedding anniversary. We spent about 20 minutes up top, resting and admiring the views from this lofty perch. Ironically, it was a relief to be back into the open, where the brush was about knee high and open to the sky and sun. The room's air conditioning did not work, the room's temperature about 90 degrees the whole night. We did not see a single other person on our hike out. However, the insects were bombarding us, and it was warm, so we decided to get moving before too long. At 9,237 feet, Carr Peak is the second highest peak in the Huachuca Mountains of southeast Arizona. • Elevation: 9,466 feet After that, the trail gains steeper up the southeast-facing slopes, passing a few mine shafts along the way. You soon emerge from the dense forest of pines and have a full panoramic view of the open desert below. Here, we saw two men appear. Legal. They were very friendly and probably relieved to see us and be able to take a break from all the running around. 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