Greaterville #79

Greaterville is, or rather was, a small mining town in the northeastern foothills of the Santa Ritas. Reportedly, it was named after a pioneer named Greater. Today, it is noticeable only as a couple of fence lines and cattle guards marked with private property signs that one must cross to get to the Greaterville Trailhead. The Greaterville Trail, combined with the East Sawmill Canyon Trail, provides access from the northeast to Florida Saddle, one of the major trail crossroads in the Santa Rita Range. This saddle marks the beginning of the Crest Trail #144 that leads to the summit of Mt. Wrightson. The Greaterville and East Sawmill Canyon trails pass through an area of rugged, scrub oak-clad ridges and forested canyons that slope gradually toward the Santa Ritas. Both offer views to the east, of the Whetstones and Mustangs, as well as to the west of Mt. Wrightson and the Santa Rita Crest. Closer at hand, ponderosa pines, alligator junipers and Emory, white and silverleaf oaks make up most of the scenery. This area is good wildlife habitat. There are healthy populations of Coues white-tailed deer in the area, and if your eye is sharp enough to see them before they flush, you might spot some scaled quail or Montezuma quail. From the western terminus of East Sawmill Canyon Trail you can head north into Florida Canyon, south and east along Cave Creek Canyon or continue along the Crest Trail to the top of the Santa Ritas.