Gardner Canyon Trail #67

Gardner Canyon Trail #67 is a remote Santa Teresa Mountains route in Coronado National Forest near Safford, Arizona. It’s a rugged, lightly trafficked hike built around sustained climbing through wilderness country.

For planning, expect about 6.2 miles with roughly 3,700 ft of elevation gain, with an average grade around 11%. The route is graded Blue and sits in the moderate-to-hard range for hikers.

Route character is steep as you work up Gardner Canyon toward the higher terrain. The path quality can be inconsistent—some sections require extra care locating the line, especially where vegetation has grown back in.

In wet or recently wet conditions, be more cautious on the steeper parts and the rocky tread, since uneven footing and loose/rolling rocks can make progress slower and more technical underfoot.

Access is part of the challenge: getting to the trailhead involves rough forest roads, and many parties use high-clearance vehicles to reach parking points. Because road conditions can vary, inspect the approach before committing.

The Gardner Canyon line is associated with the climb that tops out near Cottonwood Mountain; one account notes that, near the summit area, only occasional cairns may mark the route and travel may turn into a short bushwhack to the high point/benchmark area.

More information: Gardner Canyon Trail #67 in Arizona - Pacer Walking App, Pahute Peak Wilderness, Cottonwood Mountain Trail #66 - Santa Teresas Photoset