Armour Spring Trail #71 is an isolated spur trail with no direct access to either end. It can be reached from several trails on either side of the Santa Rita Mountains. The following description originates from Florida Saddle using the Crest Trail.
The one-way mileage from Florida Saddle to the east end of the Armour Spring Trail is 0.3 miles, and Armour Spring is 0.4 miles from the trail junction. The trail ends where it junctions with Four Springs Trail #940 on McCleary Saddle. Although the Armour Spring Trail is only 1.5 miles long, accessing it can involve several miles of rigorous hiking with considerable elevation change, regardless of what trail you use.
The origin of the name Armour Spring is unclear, although an archaeologist from the Coronado National Forest speculates the spring is named after Armour Scholefield, who was the first full-time Forest Service Ranger in the Santa Rita Mountains.
There is no evidence, however, that Ranger Scholefield discovered or ever visited Armour Spring; however, he was known to have ridden his horse throughout the Santa Rita Mountains from late 1904 until November 1906, when he died of pneumonia at the age of 26. He worked until he was too sick to continue and died soon after. His parents founded the Scholefield Ranch near Mount Fagan in the 1880s, and both Scholefield Spring and Scholefield Canyon are named after the family.
Armour Spring is located above and slightly east of the head of the south-west arm of Florida Canyon, directly below the north face of peak 8853 (aka 88 Mac). From the Crest Trail, the route to Armour Spring and McCleary Saddle is well defined, relatively clear of debris and easy to follow.
The Armour Spring Trail is short, lightly traveled and leads through a large stand of Douglas fir to an intermittent seep at the base of a house-sized boulder. The trail from Armour Spring to the McCleary Saddle shows signs of human construction and is in remarkably good condition, although I doubt anyone could have ridden a horse across the steep and densely forested slope.
From Florida Saddle, hike south up a steep grade on the Crest Trail approximately three-tenths of a mile to where it junctions with the Armour Spring Trail. A steel sign at the junction states “Armour Spring 0.4 miles,” and an arrow points west across a steep slope where only someone with a wild imagination could envision a trail.
Follow the arrow and after approximately 0.2 miles of easy walking, the path rounds a barren boulder-clad corner with magnificent views down Florida Canyon and the first clear views of McCleary Peak. Shortly after rounding the corner, the trail begins an abrupt descent on a series of short, extremely steep switchbacks. The trail shows definite signs of extensive construction but minimal maintenance. The route continues undulating across a steep slope, crossing several minor drainages and passing over slew of fallen trees and boulders.
At the bottom of a steep grade, the trail dips and passes below a high, rocky ravine forming the base of a magnificent cascading waterfall. I first visited the area in March, and the falls were frozen, partially covered with snow, and had a steady flow of water running out the bottom. Although a spectacular sight, the waterfall is probably dry much of the time and most people pass without taking notice.
From the waterfall, it is a short distance to Armour Spring, which is somewhat anticlimactic after seeing the waterfall. A sign at the spring marks the location, otherwise you might not notice it. The seep is at the base of an enormous boulder. I was told to look below the seep for a small, circular metal water basin and a drinking cup. I found neither, possibly because the tank is buried in mud and someone may have taken the cup for a souvenir.
The Armour Spring Trail originally ended at the spring but now continues west to McCleary Saddle, where it meets the Four Springs Trail that originates from the west side of the range. Until recently, this short section of trail was a crude footpath. However, the route was improved when the Forest Service constructed the Four Springs Trail and now some people consider this short length of trail and the Armour Spring Trail an extension of the Four Springs Trail.
The trail contours around the adjacent slope, up a low-grade, and then levels off on a narrow, moderately exposed ledge. The trail remains relatively flat until reaching a 90-degree turn to the west, where most folks pause to take photos of the magnificent views of Florida Canyon, Florida Saddle and McCleary Peak. From the corner, the trail contours around the head of the deepest part of the west arm of Florida Canyon and then begins its final ascent to the saddle south of McCleary Peak.
Four switchbacks in the final ascent become shorter as you gain elevation. Although no sign is posted on the saddle, it marks the jumping-off point for a bushwhacking route to the 8,637-foot summit of McCleary Peak, where the views are spectacular. The Four Springs Trail continues west from the saddle, eventually ending at Kent Spring on the east side of Madera Canyon.
