PEPPERSAUCE CAVE (SP)

Date:		Nov. 22/2024			Destination:		Peppersauce Canyon
Level:		SP			Area:		Coronado NF
Approx hike distance in miles:		1 mile			Hike leader:		Bruce Odegaard
Low to high elevation gain:		30			Hike leader phone:
Accum elevation gain in feet:					Hike leader email:
Departure time - Union Center parking lot:		7:00			Please arrive 10 minutes early to check in
Recommended gas donation:		$10
Unpaved miles:		10 miles			Park entry fee per vehicle:		N/A
Road conditions:		Good			Website for reference info:
High clearance vehicle req'd:		No			Trailhead GPS coordinates:		32.5244*N,110.7068*W
TRAIL CONDITIONS
Maintained Trail:		Yes			Uneven Footing:		Yes
Steep Side Drop-offs:		No			Steep Trail:		No
Off Trail (scratchy):		No			Slippery Trail Surfaces:		Very
Use of Hands Required:		Yes			Boulder Hopping:		No
Difficulty :		Moderate			Water Crossings:		No
Restrooms at Trailhead:		No			Gloves Required:		Yes

Special Instructions:

This is a definite must if you’d like a bit of an unusual hiking experience. The cave was found buy two dear hunters. Was made known to the public in 1948, Has been featured in National Geographic magazine in 1951 and gets about 23,000 visitors a year. There is about 1 mile of mapped passages (you can’t get lost). The entrance is small but inside is very spacious. It will be very slippery and dark. I would recommend you bring two flash lights, gloves, cloths that can get dirty, a helmet of some type if you wish, a snack and water. The internal temp should be about 70*.

Directions:

Take Hunt Hwy east toward Florence to Hwy 79. Turn right (south) on Hwy 79 to Oracle Junction. Turn left on Hwy 77 and follow for 9 miles to American Ave. Turn right on American Ave for 2.3 miles to Mount Lemmon Rd. (There is no advance warning for the turn-off, but there is a green sign at the turn-off.) Turn right on Mount Lemmon Rd for 10.4 miles. The trailhead is on the right.