Raspberry Ridge Trail #228

Raspberry Ridge Trail #228 is a short, steep long-distance hike in the southern Chiricahua Mountains near Portal, Arizona, mapped as a path route (#228). It’s listed as difficult/“hard,” with roughly 4.4 miles one-way and about 3,120 ft of elevation gain to a high point around 9,250 ft.

Route focus is the big climb out of the Rucker Canyon area: the trail follows the Rucker Trail #222 for about 0.2 miles, then branches left to head into Bear Canyon. From there it tracks the canyon and then switches into steep climbing to reach Raspberry Saddle and the exposed Raspberry Ridge.

Above the saddle the route turns northwest along Raspberry Ridge over rocky, uneven terrain, then skirts around Raspberry Peak. The ridge travel is followed to a junction with the Crest Trail #270 near Monte Vista Peak, giving you the natural “finish” link into the broader ridge system.

High elevation means the trail spends a lot of time on the edge of the pines-and-rock landscape around Raspberry Ridge and Monte Vista Peak; the route is narrow enough that route-finding can slip when it fades or is overgrown. The mapped trail visibility is intermediate, and some sections can be hard to keep on line without the right navigation cues.

Conditions are a real part of planning for this specific route. It’s described as in “terrible” condition in at least one recent condition-focused writeup, with heavy damage like landslides/debris flows and substantial deadfall above where some lower work was done, plus sections that can temporarily obscure the tread.

For logistics and safety: the southern access is near the former Rucker Forest Camp area at the end of Rucker Canyon Road, and the northern access is on the Crest Trail between Paint Rock and the western terminus below Monte Vista Peak. Pack for steep gains, expect loose/rocky footing on the ascent, and plan navigation for segments that may disappear under overgrowth.

More information: Conditions, Visitor information, Chiricahua Mountains - Arizona Handbook