Record breaking heat in the Phoenix Valley during this trip. That made it hot even on Rincon Peak. It was like it was June. But, there were three of us and we made it up and down in 9 hours, because one of our team was a lot slower today. The views are excellent. It is really an excellent hike. So much of the elevation gain is really all in the last mile or so to the summit.
mstender - Oct 29, 2017 12:04 am Date Climbed: Oct 28, 2017
From Miller Creek TH
I was surprised of how much of the hike was shaded which made it quite pleasant. Views from the summit were great though it was a little bit hazy.
We saw a coati on our descent close to the trailhead. Very cool!
rtgomez90 - May 21, 2017 12:57 pm Date Climbed: Nov 12, 2016
Rincon
Nice hike. Came in from Miller Creek TH and stayed a couple nights at Happy Valley CG. Good times.
Paul McClellan - Mar 11, 2015 10:10 pm Date Climbed: Feb 26, 2015
Clear and Cool
Hiked the peak via Miller Creek and Happy Camp CG. Encountered thin snow at about 7000'. Clear but windy and cool on the summit. A strenuous day.
Tyler W Wagland - Dec 5, 2013 5:12 pm Date Climbed: Nov 7, 2013
Rincon Pk from Miller Creek TH
Great hike. Drove from Green Valley in dark; took almost 2 hours- dirt road OK but slow going. Soloed from Miller Creek TH. Sunrise start. Met Jim from Tucson on way up - who passed me. Last 1/4 mi about as steep a bit as I've ever done. Very windy on top. Joined Jim on way down & finished at 4:30 PM. A long 16 + miles but well worth it!
Sarah Simon - Mar 4, 2013 11:42 am Date Climbed: Mar 3, 2013
Miller Creek Trail
This is, hands-down, one of my favorite summits it the Tucson area. I loved moseying through the diverse plan areas. Water was flowing like crazy, there were waterfalls and flowing streams everywhere! We encountered snow pretty low-down, and hiked a good 2 miles to the top in snow, breaking trail through un-tracked snow with a Forest Service ranger for the last steep 1/4 to 1/2 to the top. Amazing summit area with jaw-dropping views! With hubby.
cdog - Aug 4, 2011 1:13 am Date Climbed: May 7, 2005
great hike
had a fun hike to the summit with friends Dan, Amy, and Amy. Made a long day of it from Tucson. One of my favorite Tucson area hikes.
ericnoel - May 5, 2009 12:28 am Date Climbed: Apr 25, 2009
Rincon
Nice summit with some hints of cliffs even though a trail goes to the top. I enjoyed this one more than its slightly higher brother Mica to the North.
canichol - Sep 28, 2008 11:06 am Date Climbed: Apr 28, 2007
Miller Creek
Hard to believe it was snowing lightly just below the summit this day.
Forgot exactly but once in 2005 and again in 2007, I was recovering from a hip injury. Took standard east route. Remember is was so cold early I had double gloved. A little snow on the final steep and slippery hike to the rock pile. Pretty warm at the bottom on the way down. Hazy and windy at summit.
Climbed eons ago with Guy Cloutier and Jerry Schuster.
We took standard trail in from the east.
lcarreau - Dec 9, 2007 12:00 pm Date Climbed: Mar 7, 1994
Miller Creek/Happy Valley route
After working at Saguaro National Monument, I checked the
forcast and set off the next morning. This is a very long
and arduous hike. If you go in March, you might be rewarded
with wildflowers and an abundance of lady bugs at the summit.
This is the highest point inside the Monument's boundaries.
surgent - Nov 13, 2007 9:25 am Date Climbed: Nov 11, 2007
Via Miller Creek/Happy Valley
Took advantage of a warm, clear and dry November afternoon to hike this biggie all in one long day. Started at sun-up, made the top and was back to my truck at sunset. An outstanding, grueling hike. On the one hand it was gorgeous and I am happy to have made the hike, but on the other hand I think a backpack to the Happy Valley CG and spreading it out over two days would have been a better idea (for me, at least). Think I saw a bear ambling across the way in some rocks, but am not 100% sure....
Oh, what a stupid time to be climbing this mountain. Even if you're fast and start early, it's STILL silly, because the route takes so many miles you'll still be on the mountain when the temperatures get above 100. My friend immersed himself in a cattle tank at the bottom.
Route Climbed: Miller Creek-Happy Valley Date Climbed: December 1996
Great view of most of the Tucson valley. When we went it rained (no snow) the whole way from Miller Creek up to Happy Valley. The only reliable place to get water was at the Happy Valley campground. The last section of the trail to the summit is steep, but a great hike.
hgrapid - Apr 3, 2021 9:54 pm Date Climbed: Apr 3, 2021
Hot dayRecord breaking heat in the Phoenix Valley during this trip. That made it hot even on Rincon Peak. It was like it was June. But, there were three of us and we made it up and down in 9 hours, because one of our team was a lot slower today. The views are excellent. It is really an excellent hike. So much of the elevation gain is really all in the last mile or so to the summit.
mstender - Oct 29, 2017 12:04 am Date Climbed: Oct 28, 2017
From Miller Creek THI was surprised of how much of the hike was shaded which made it quite pleasant. Views from the summit were great though it was a little bit hazy.
We saw a coati on our descent close to the trailhead. Very cool!
rtgomez90 - May 21, 2017 12:57 pm Date Climbed: Nov 12, 2016
RinconNice hike. Came in from Miller Creek TH and stayed a couple nights at Happy Valley CG. Good times.
Paul McClellan - Mar 11, 2015 10:10 pm Date Climbed: Feb 26, 2015
Clear and CoolHiked the peak via Miller Creek and Happy Camp CG. Encountered thin snow at about 7000'. Clear but windy and cool on the summit. A strenuous day.
Tyler W Wagland - Dec 5, 2013 5:12 pm Date Climbed: Nov 7, 2013
Rincon Pk from Miller Creek THGreat hike. Drove from Green Valley in dark; took almost 2 hours- dirt road OK but slow going. Soloed from Miller Creek TH. Sunrise start. Met Jim from Tucson on way up - who passed me. Last 1/4 mi about as steep a bit as I've ever done. Very windy on top. Joined Jim on way down & finished at 4:30 PM. A long 16 + miles but well worth it!
Sarah Simon - Mar 4, 2013 11:42 am Date Climbed: Mar 3, 2013
Miller Creek TrailThis is, hands-down, one of my favorite summits it the Tucson area. I loved moseying through the diverse plan areas. Water was flowing like crazy, there were waterfalls and flowing streams everywhere! We encountered snow pretty low-down, and hiked a good 2 miles to the top in snow, breaking trail through un-tracked snow with a Forest Service ranger for the last steep 1/4 to 1/2 to the top. Amazing summit area with jaw-dropping views! With hubby.
cdog - Aug 4, 2011 1:13 am Date Climbed: May 7, 2005
great hikehad a fun hike to the summit with friends Dan, Amy, and Amy. Made a long day of it from Tucson. One of my favorite Tucson area hikes.
ericnoel - May 5, 2009 12:28 am Date Climbed: Apr 25, 2009
RinconNice summit with some hints of cliffs even though a trail goes to the top. I enjoyed this one more than its slightly higher brother Mica to the North.
canichol - Sep 28, 2008 11:06 am Date Climbed: Apr 28, 2007
Miller CreekHard to believe it was snowing lightly just below the summit this day.
RedRoxx44 - Aug 25, 2008 7:57 am
Good conditioning hikeForgot exactly but once in 2005 and again in 2007, I was recovering from a hip injury. Took standard east route. Remember is was so cold early I had double gloved. A little snow on the final steep and slippery hike to the rock pile. Pretty warm at the bottom on the way down. Hazy and windy at summit.
oldadit - Aug 7, 2008 5:42 pm
in the Last MilleniumClimbed eons ago with Guy Cloutier and Jerry Schuster.
We took standard trail in from the east.
lcarreau - Dec 9, 2007 12:00 pm Date Climbed: Mar 7, 1994
Miller Creek/Happy Valley routeAfter working at Saguaro National Monument, I checked the
forcast and set off the next morning. This is a very long
and arduous hike. If you go in March, you might be rewarded
with wildflowers and an abundance of lady bugs at the summit.
This is the highest point inside the Monument's boundaries.
surgent - Nov 13, 2007 9:25 am Date Climbed: Nov 11, 2007
Via Miller Creek/Happy ValleyTook advantage of a warm, clear and dry November afternoon to hike this biggie all in one long day. Started at sun-up, made the top and was back to my truck at sunset. An outstanding, grueling hike. On the one hand it was gorgeous and I am happy to have made the hike, but on the other hand I think a backpack to the Happy Valley CG and spreading it out over two days would have been a better idea (for me, at least). Think I saw a bear ambling across the way in some rocks, but am not 100% sure....
Andinistaloco - Sep 23, 2005 8:19 pm
Route Climbed: standard Date Climbed: summer 2004Oh, what a stupid time to be climbing this mountain. Even if you're fast and start early, it's STILL silly, because the route takes so many miles you'll still be on the mountain when the temperatures get above 100. My friend immersed himself in a cattle tank at the bottom.
dptaylor30 - Apr 8, 2005 1:25 pm
Route Climbed: Miller Creek-Happy Valley Date Climbed: December 1996Great view of most of the Tucson valley. When we went it rained (no snow) the whole way from Miller Creek up to Happy Valley. The only reliable place to get water was at the Happy Valley campground. The last section of the trail to the summit is steep, but a great hike.
Felsberg - Jan 16, 2004 1:42 pm
Route Climbed: Miller Creek Date Climbed: Jan 3, 2004One of the best Tucson area summits. My views were unfortunately reduced by intense fog and howling wind and ice. PICS