EMPIRE RANCH HEADQUARTERS

MOUNTAIN RANGE: Empire                                HIKABLE MONTHS: NOV thru MAR

TRAVEL MILES: 93 ROAD CONDITION: 2 (last 2 miles gravel)

TYPE OF HIKE: C – Easy                                       HIKE MILES: 4.5

TRAIL CONDITION: 2                                           ELEVATION GAIN/MAX.: 200/4,623 FT

ROUTE TO TRAILHEAD: Take I-19 north to Duval Mine Road.  Turn right and take Duval Mine Road/Old Nogales Highway to Sahuarita Road.  Turn right onto Sahuarita Road and head east to SR 83.  Turn right and go south on SR 83 15.5 miles to just past milepost 40.  The turnoff is on the left across from the Empire Ranch HQ sign.  Go east on FR 6900 for 3.0 miles to a T-junction with FR 6901.  Turn left and go 0.9 miles to a junction with FR 6902.  Turn left onto 6902 and then immediately turn right onto an unmarked road.  Follow this road for several hundred yards to the end and park on the right.  Restrooms are available here.

PARKING AT TRAILHEAD: Room for the entire club.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: Distance in miles from the trailhead ().

From the parking area, return to 6902, turn left and cross 6901 to pick up horse/livestock trail beyond two posts.  It goes east then angles southeast and south down to a treed low area.  Enjoy the view of the various mountain ranges while on the ridge (Whetstone, Mustang, Huachuca, and Santa Rita).  Follow the trail through the low area to come to a small wash then continue to a fence and on the other side, notice a long row of Cottonwood trees.  Turn right and find your best way along the fence line until the fence running west connects with another fence running northwest (0.8). Turn right to follow the fence in a northwesterly direction – do not cross the fence line.  When you come FR 6901, note a small brown/pink utility building, which you previously passed in the vehicle.  Turn left on FR6901 and walk a short distance, passing a parking area on the right and a water crossing that you drove through on your way to the trailhead.  Go left here and make your best way over some narrow water crossings to get around the large pond (road) to continue on the road to reach the Empire Ranch Headquarters (1.3).  Turn right and hike to the corrals and to the Ranch House and buildings (snack spot on the porch).  Allow hikers plenty of time to look through the buildings and read the information available.

To continue, go toward the Foreman’s House on the right on a hill.  At a gate with the sign “Grove House Heritage Discovery Trail”, take the path to the left and follow it down into Empire Gulch.  This is a chance to see some of the big Fremont Poplars that remain.  You will come to the Grove House (under restoration).  From here, find a path to the right into the wash and walk on trails of use through the wash or on the banks for approximately 0.25 miles.  Watch on the right for an exit out of the wash and back onto the Discovery Trail.  Continue on this trail to an outdoor amphitheater and the buildings that were the “Hired Man’s” lodgings.  You are now back at the Ranch Headquarters and the Restrooms. Stop here to allow hikers a restroom break before continuing.  Now turn toward the corrals, taking the left fork and crossing FR6901 to walk downhill on an ATV trail toward a giant Cottonwood tree about 0.5 miles at the bottom of the hill.  On the descent, pass through a gate and keep to the right, making your way down a gradual slope to avoid a steep drop off.  Find your best cow path and head in the direction of the Cottonwood tree. (A perfect spot for lunch!)

 Afterwards, continue through the flat area heading northeast out of the trees to an open field.  Make your way around and past the trees to pick up the ATV trail that you came down.  Head back up to the road (FR6901).  Turn right, going back around the pond on the road and through the water crossings you used earlier.  Pass the utility shed, continue up the road, turning left onto FR6902 and back to the vehicles.

COMMENTS: The hike is short so take your time.  The library reference below has good information about the ranch.  See also the Empire Ranch Foundation website.

BULLETIN DESCRIPTION: A leisurely hike along ranch roads and trails to visit Historic Ranch HQ buildings.  The Deer and Antelope play here!  Really!

DATA SUPPLIED BY: Wayne Moshier 9/2010; Updated by Phil Grey 3/2011, David Colpitts 12/2015, Wayne Moshier 8/2019, Stephen Herron, Deb Thrall & Anita Woodward 2/2025

LIBRARY REFERENCE: Empire Ranch