Arizona · Hiking · Pusch Ridge Wilderness · Near Oracle

Esperero

EspereroPhoto: Jeff from United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
13.4 mi
round trip
3,396 ft
climb
6,145 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Nov
best months

Is Esperero open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Santa Catalina Ranger District. It doesn't name Esperero, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Santa Catalina Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Esperero is a hard hike in Arizona's Pusch Ridge Wilderness, part of the Santa Catalina Ranger District of Coronado National Forest. The route is an out-and-back that rises from about 2,700 feet to nearly 6,150 feet, and it covers roughly 13.4 miles with a total elevation gain of about 3,400 feet. The most comfortable months for the climb are late spring and early fall. Typical averages from the Mt Lemmon Willow Canyon weather station, about 8 miles away, show May highs near 71°F and September highs near 75°F, while winter highs sit around 50°F. Cathedral Rock lies less than a mile away, and the Ventana hike and Mount Lemmon (Santa Catalina Mountains) climbing area are both within about 2.5 miles. For camping, Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 1 and 2 are about 3.5 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 1

    Campground

    Campground · 3.5 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    The Hills Tucson

    Restaurant

    Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Wildlife Viewing Area

    Viewpoint

    On your way back · 18 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Oracle
  • Best time to go · Mar–Nov

    Best time to visit Esperero

    Best months: March–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      50° / 34°

    2. Feb

      50° / 33°

    3. Mar

      55° / 37°

    4. Apr

      62° / 43°

    5. May

      71° / 51°

    6. Jun

      80° / 60°

    7. Jul

      80° / 63°

    8. Aug

      79° / 62°

    9. Sep

      75° / 59°

    10. Oct

      68° / 49°

    11. Nov

      59° / 40°

    12. Dec

      49° / 33°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mt Lemmon Willow Canyon, AZ, 8.1 mi away at 7,027 ft. The station sits about 900 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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