MADERA CANYON — It might not seem exactly apropos to celebrate with a glass of beer or wine after hiking the Carrie Nation Mine Trail.
That's because the mine and trail are named after a woman who crusaded against alcoholic beverages in the early 1900s.
But even if you limit yourself to a post-hike iced tea, you'll almost certainly toast memories of a good day on the trail.
The route takes hikers through winsome woodlands in the upper reaches of Madera Canyon south of Tucson.
Tracing trickling Madera Creek for much of its 1.5-mile length, the trail passes through the heart of some of the best bird-watching terrain in Southern Arizona. The area is known for its lush oak-and-pine forest and displays of summer wildflowers.
To the trailhead
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From Tucson, drive south on Interstate 19 to Green Valley and take the Continental exit. Then follow signs southeast about 13 miles to Madera Canyon. Continue to the mile-high end of the main canyon road and park there. The Forest Service charges a $5 parking fee.
Up the trail
Check a map at the trailhead to get your bearings and then hike up a broad path for 0.3 of a mile to a signed trail junction.
At the junction, follow signs toward the Carrie Nation and Vault Mine trails. Pass the turnoff for the Vault Mine Trail after hiking about 0.4 of a mile and continue 0.8 of a mile to an abandoned mine site. You'll gain about 1,200 vertical feet.
Pets must be on a leash.