Arizona - Green Valley - Elephant Head

A scenic hike up to Elephant Head. It's quite a difference from Madera Canyon close by. Cacti and Ocotillo, best hiked in April. The trail head is on the other side of the parking, a bit back along the road. It is marked 930. Follow it all the way up to the saddle. Down over the saddle, take the Quantrell Mine road on the right. The road narrows and around the corner a rather deep canyon is on the left. Watch for a rock cairn and a trail going down. Follow this very steep trail (scramble) down into the canyon. Once in the canyon the trail leads straight on towards the ridge. Left towards the Elephand Head. The Elephand Head is a granite rock and it't already pretty steep on both sides of the ridge. So if you have problems with heights you will not be able to continue. We decided it wasn't worth the risk of going up. Warning: Don't underestimate this hike. This hike involves more climbing than you expect, especially the climb back to the road is very hard. At 80 degrees I needed a liter of water to get back from the canyon to the road, so bring in plenty of water. How to get here: On the I-19 exit 56, Canoa. Follow the roundabout all the way and go underneath the highway. Turn right on the frontage road. Turn left on the Elephant Head Road. Take the next asphalt road (Mount Hopkins Road) on the right, towards the observatory. Turn left on the FR 183, signed Aqua Caliente Canyon. This is a rough road with some rocks sticking out. Some clearance is needed, but passenger cars are reported on this road. Park in the parking on the right after about 2.4 mile. This is right before an old sign "Dead end 2 miles".