Comfort Springs Trail #109

This trail departs from the Ramsey Vista Campground and follows a course that offers good views of upper Carr Canyon, with its weathered pinnacles and crinkled rock strata, and of upper Ramsey Canyon with its emerald green riparian area. The trail starts out through an old burn caused by a careless camper in 1977. Here, it wanders among stumps and rocks where there were once trees and flowery meadows. The wildflowers have started to come back and so have the trees, but this should give you some idea of how much damage can come from one moment of thoughtlessness. The trail enters the trees again at the edge of the burn just before it begins its drop into Ramsey Canyon. The old mining town of Hamburg was located in this canyon and you’ll see evidence of it and of the mines that supported it as you travel.

Many hikers connect with the Hamburg Trail #122 and follow this trail all the way through to the Nature Conservancy’s Ramsey Canyon Preserve (horses are not permitted within the Preserve). If you can arrange for someone to drive a shuttle for you and can be fairly accurate about how long it will take you to hike through, you can be picked up at the Nature Conservancy visitor center in Ramsey Canyon. Remember, you’ll need a free permit to cross Nature Conservancy property and an advance parking reservation if you intend to park a car at the Ramsey Canyon Preserve (602-378-2785). Another alternative, of course, is to turn around and hike back to where you started. A good way of doing that is to bring your backpacking gear and spend the night before making the return trip.

Attractions:

• Great views
• Access to beautiful canyon
• Historic mining district
• Watchable wildlife
• Down-mountain hike (with shuttle)