The Woodcutter's Narration:
When we placed our Mt. Bigelow geocache Memorial Weekend, trusty
companion spotted a hill that seemed to call him. "Come over here.
Hike up me! Cool trek here." So, this being another long weekend
and having time to spare we headed back up Catalina State Hwy.
First we stopped at our Bigelow geocache to refresh it. So, we
parked at the Mt. Bigelow parking lot. (See "Bigelow Geocache" for
direction to parking.) From our Bigelow geocache we headed back
towards the car but veered off on the trail to the Butterfly trail.
We went downhill and downhill and then took a left to go more
downhill. We came to a metal sign that read: Butterfly Tr. #16. The
first 2 items listed were Bigelow Summit .2 and Davis Spring Tr.
#31 2.0. We had just come from the Bigelow Summit direction. We did
not head toward Davis Spring. Instead we headed east up that big
hill to the top.
At the top we left our Geocache. But we also found a USGS Marker
for Kellogg Mountain placed in 1947 and not previously logged! We
also found a Southern Arizona
Hiking Club register for Kellogg Peak (8401 ft.). So if you
choose to visit our geocache you can also log a peak and a USGS
Marker.
Trusty Companion's Trail Notes:
I'm assuming you can find the Bigelow Parking lot with restrooms
from the "Bigelow Geocache" description (Mt. Bigelow dirt road and
through a gate). From here, take the trail to the Butterfly Trail
(sign is near parking lot) - the arrow points in a seemingly
bizarre direction, but the trail is behind the sign and turns to
the right (SE) after several dozen yards. Follow this trail (it's a
bit overgrown in parts). Halfway to the cache there is a Y
intersection. The path should be obvious if you follow your GPS.
Shortly after this Y there is a sign at a 4-way intersection. This
sign (#16) points you to the Butterfly trail and spurs along it.
You do not need to take the butterfly trail, but head straight
through the intersection following your GPS. Stay on the trail.
This is the Kellogg spur trail (it may be indistinct until higher
up the peak). The cache is within feet of the trail, and the USGS
marker is along the trail. After you found the cache, marker,
register, and enjoyed the view of the Tucson valley, head back down
and back through the intersections.
Alternate path (no dirt road driving): Directions to the USGS
Marker direct one to hike up from Palisades Ranger Station. The
trail actually starts behind the restrooms, which are about 100
yards SE of the visitor center. There is plenty of paved parking at
both spots. Taking this trail - the Bigelow Trail will get you to
one or the other of the intersections (either a Y or 4-way)
described above. From there, head east and take the Kellogg spur to
the top and the cache. This should be about a .75 mile hike each
way, with a lot of elevation change.
Do take plenty of water either way you go. And be prepared for
wind. Kellogg Mountain seems pretty windswept.
One more note: there is a good trail map at the edge of the dirt
parking lot on Mt. Bigelow under a pine tree. We always see it
after coming back or about to leave, but it is there. Please note
that North on the map is not up! This has all of the trails on it
you will take (except perhaps the Kellogg spur).
Since this is on a well-established trail, please re-hide cache
well. And don't be fooled by the SAHC register, there is a cache
with woodcutter goodies here.