This area west of Hwy 19 begins 60 miles south of Tucson at the off ramp for route 289. The drive starts only 10 miles from the international border. You travel approximately 8 miles on a beautiful winding two lane road before reaching the split to Pena Blanca Lake. This lake is dead from the recent sediment, which killed the plant life that supports this small ecosystem. The trail starts at the intersection (start of the graded road) and heads west paralleling the border. We took a detour on the Motorway Summit trail 31° 23.83'N, 111° 8.35'W (WGS84/NAD83) , that goes south to Mexico. We had lunch on a high bluff overlooking the mountains of Sonora Mexico. It was a beautiful area, and green from the recent rains. The trail ends at the wilderness area 31° 21.62'N, 111° 9.63'W (WGS84/NAD83). We traveled on another scenic trail that splits from the Motorway Summit trail 31° 22.13'N, 111° 9.62'W (WGS84/NAD83). The side trail also ends at the wilderness area 31° 22.90'N, 111° 10.09'W (WGS84/NAD83). Both trails are worth traveling despite their dead ends.

We proceeded back to 289, and toward the mining town of Ruby. It was an interesting area, tended by a hermit who proved quite knowledgeable and well spoken. There is an area of mine tailings that formed a small sand dune. Camping is available there, but at quite a cost. $40 per night.

From Ruby we proceeded to Arivaca Lake, and on to the town of Arivaca, ending our adventure catching Crappies from the shore...

Trail Rating: 1 for 289, 2.5 for Soldier Mountain Trail (1-5 scale)