You've seen it -- it's that big rock way back in the Rincons you see when you're heading back to Tucson after a day in the Stronghold. The rock is east-facing and about 600 ft. high. Spud Rock Campground is a great camp area close to the rock, nestled in the pines, aspens, and ferns. The closest dependable water is only a couple miles away at Manning Camp, but the spring at the camp is often available.
No bolts were drilled on the initial FA's of any of the routes so they might not be the real FA's. We found no info on the area. There is a line of 3/8" bolts about 100' right of J-Cubed that head over a bulge. We haven't climbed it to see how far they go or how hard it is.
Getting There
Driving Approach: Drive east from Tucson on I-10 to the J-Six/Mescal exit #297 and turn left (north). Mescal Rd. soon turns into a good dirt road and about 15.4 miles from I-10 there is a well marked left turn to the Turkey Creek Trailhead (road #4408), shortly after passing a turnoff for the Miller Creek Trailhead. The road weaves thru a gate and camp area, angling right to the gate for a trail that stays in the canyon. The dirt road from here turns to 4WD leading right, up onto a long ridge (1.4 miles) to the trailhead (~17.2 miles from I-10). The drive from mid Tucson to the trailhead takes about 90 minutes.
The Hike: Follow the Turkey Creek Trail past Mud Hole Spring to a T-intersection just above Deer Head Spring. Turn right and head to Spud Rock Campground and Spring. It’s a little more than 6 miles and takes 3 to 6 hours. From the campground you can pretty much contour north toward the rock (20 to 30 min.). Stay high to avoid steep drainages and you may eventually hook into the poorly marked East Slope Trail that traverses the base of the rock, well back from the base. Veer off this trail toward the huge descent gully at the left end of the main wall… or when it feels right. If you stay on this poorly marked trail on the way back it’ll take you above the camp to the switchback trail fork — better to remember the contour route (GPS?). The base of the rock is easily passable with a lot of ups and downs.
Permits are not needed for day hikes. Call Saguaro National Park at 733-5100 for camping permits and rules. Don’t rely on the springs to be wet. The Park may have updated conditions for each spring.
The Classics
Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Reef Rock on Mica Mt.:
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