Buster Mountain via Birding Trail

Buster Mountain via Birding Trail is a tough nut to crack, with plentiful route-finding challenges and some sections of interesting scrambling to tackle. This hike isn’t too long, but it is tough and rugged, so make sure you’re prepared with a downloaded GPS track, good boots, poles, and lots of water and sun protection.

This route begins in Catalina State Park, which charges a modest day-use fee. You’ll cross Sutherland Wash from the parking area and take Birding Trail across the Montrose Wash to the trail split. We recommend going counterclockwise as most users report preferring this approach.

Stay right at the split and then left to begin your ascent. Watch for cairns and refer to your GPS if you feel like you’re losing the trail. As you approach the upper part of the loop, you’ll walk a prominent ridge. The ridge steepens to a short cliff about 2 miles in, but look for the dihedral, which you’ll need to scramble. At the top, marvel at your birds-eye view of the surrounding mountains.

On the way down, there are fewer cairns and it becomes easier to lose the trail where washouts have occurred. Keep an eye on the GPS.