Five Favorite Hikes Among Tucson's Saguaros (and Wildflowers)
A trip to Saguaro National Park, on our quest to visit all 63 National Parks, got Tom and me hooked on the fabulous hiking among the majestic Saguaro. Now we escape dreary Seattle at least once a year in favor of the sunny Santa Catalina foothills where we can be close to our gigantic Saguaro friends, spectacular desert blooms in the spring and a multitude of great trails.
After many years of hiking in the area, below are our five favorite hikes. I consider them all moderate hikes, but I have put them in ascending order by difficulty. Please enjoy!
1. Douglas Spring Trail, Saguaro National Park, East, 6 miles, 1,000 feet
Only 30 minutes from the Santa Catalina foothills, the Douglas Spring Trailhead begins at an easily accessible dirt parking lot at the end of Speedway. We recommend a loop of the Douglas Spring, Cabrillo, Three Tank and Wildhorse Trails but the options are countless.
Douglas Spring Trail map, Saguaro National Park East, Tucson, AZ
The Douglas Spring Trail immediately winds through Saguaro, prickly pear and chollas on a flat dirt trail. Then it heads up and then up again (700 feet in about one mile) via well-constructed rock steps. This section is in the sun with no shade - warm even on a cool day. Turn right on Cabrillo Trail, the first intersection after the ascent. This trail is fairly level and peaceful. It’s quiet other than the sweet bird songs. And having gained some elevation, the vegetation includes grasses.
After less than a mile you will come to the abandoned tanks of Cold Springs. We find the shade they create to be a nice cool place for a snack. From here take Three Tank Trail, directly across from the tanks, up and enjoy the panoramic view of the staggering Saguaro Forest and Tucson before descending along the switchbacks to Wildhorse Trail. The Wildhorse Trail parallels a wash where we have seen a Gila Monster! Beware that you are now on a horse trail. Continuing on this flat trail will take you back to Speedway a little further down than your car so you may want to take the Stock Bypass Trail instead.
Another popular option in this area is Bridal Wreath Falls, 5.5 miles and 1,100 feet. Begin on the Douglas Spring Trail as described above. But when you get to the first intersection continue on the Douglas Spring Trail instead of turning right. When you get to the intersection with the Three Tank Trail continue on the Douglas Spring Trail until you reach the Bridal Wreath Falls Trail.
This hike takes you from Sonoran Desert vegetation to grasslands and finally ends among juniper trees. As you might imagine the falls don’t flow year around, but it is still a nice place to have a snack and then go back the way you came.
2. Ventana Canyon Trail, Ventana Canyon, Tucson 4.8 miles, 1,250 feet, out and back (or 12.3 miles)
Considered by many, including my Tom, to be one of the most beautiful hikes in the Santa Catalina Mountains, the trailhead is right next to Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. Although rated moderate, the 12.3-mile hike up (and back) to the incredibly scenic “window”, I consider difficult because of the rocky trail!
The Maiden Pools, 4.8 miles up (and back) are a good destination to bask in the beauty of Ventana Canyon – especially if it’s hot, your time is limited, or you tire of navigating rocks.
Stately saguaro in Ventana Canyon, Tucson, AZ
As you ascend along a seasonal stream, views of the steep canyon walls open to panoramic views. The riparian habitat attracts a variety of birds! You will cross the stream several times before the seemingly endless switchbacks begin up to the Maiden Pools.
A gorgeous hike!
3. Seven Falls, Sabino Canyon Recreation Area – 6 miles, 1,000 feet via shuttle (or 9 miles)
In addition to Saguaro National Park, Sabino Canyon Recreation Area also hosts a magnificent Saguaro Forest including ocotillo, chollas and prickly pear cactus along with creosote and manzanita bushes – all common to the Sonoran Desert. The canyon, in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, is unique in that water flows down Sabino Creek nearly year around. There is a small fee to park in the big lot (National Park passes make it free.)
This recreation area which also includes Bear Canyon, has 30 miles of trails, and is frequented by many walkers, hikers, like us, and nature lovers. An open-air tram in each canyon provides transportation and sightseeing – it’s a wonderful introduction to the area! (There is a fee and reservations are suggested.)
The popular Seven Falls hike, in Bear Canyon, is a favorite. The trailhead can be accessed from the last stop on the Bear Canyon tram making it a 6-mile hike or from the visitor center making it a 9-mile hike. (The extra mileage from the visitor center begins flat and then gradually goes up hill to the trailhead.)
If your time is limited and/or it’s hot opting for a tram ride might feel like “cheating” but it makes it an enjoyable half day hike!
Either way, from the trailhead, walk gradually uphill along the nicely packed trail which follows a meandering creek. There are a few buried rocks so watch your step. The creek invites Cottonwood trees to grow in addition to the typical Sonoran Desert vegetation giving you a bit of shade along the way.
Blanketed by giant Saguaros, the walls of Bear Canyon tower above you on either side. Oddly enough, you will cross the creek seven times on your way to Seven Falls. The crossings are relatively easy, but the hike is not suggested right after a rainstorm. There is a tricky little rock section after the last crossing. Then switchbacks begin to take you higher on the canyon wall after which the trail levels out taking you to the end of the canyon.
Seven Falls, Bear Canyon in Sabino Recreation Area, Tucson, AZ
Eventually, you will begin to see big flat rock formations, in the distance, at the end of the canyon. A little further along you’ll look to your left and see the seven falls flowing into several pools across the canyon. The biggest pool even has a beach. There is a short step descent down to the pools. You’ll often see people in the pools but don’t let that fool you, they are cold! Enjoy the scene and just go back the way you came.
Another favorite hike in Sabino Canyon Recreation Area is the Phone Line Trail, 6.5 miles, 1000 feet. This well maintained but lower traffic trail hugs the Sabino Canyon wall after an ascent from either end of the trail. I love this perspective of Sabino Canyon and Sabino Creek all while walking among the Saguaro, ocotillo, prickly pear, palo verde and brittlebush!
I usually hike up from the visitor center and take the tram down to avoid the heat. Another option is to hike up and back from the visitor center turning around before descending to the tram stop (on the Sabino Canyon Trail #23) making it an 11-mile hike.
(Please note that many of the advertised distances in Sabino Canyon are from the trailheads. However, the trailheads are often a mile, plus or minus, from the Visitor Center. I include the total mileage from the Visitor Center.)
4. La Milagrosa Canyon, Tucson, 8 miles, 1,450 feet loop (or 12 miles out and back)
La Milagrosa Canyon is a couple canyons east of Sabino and Bear Canyons in the Santa Catalina Mountains but a” world away” as they say. The canyon is undeveloped and if not careful you may lose the trail – watch for the cairns. If you want to enjoy a similar environment and vegetation to Saguaro National Park and Sabino Canyon Recreation Area but avoid the crowds this is your hike!
Park on the side of North Avenida de Suzenu and walk around the gate into the private community and down the road – everyone is friendly. Once you come to a “unmaintained road sign” go straight onto the unpaved street and up the hill. After about a mile you will come to a trail sign – this will be the last sign that you will see.
This loop trail can be done clockwise or counterclockwise. If you go clockwise as we have done the ascent is on flat rock and the descent at the end is on loose rock. (Counterclockwise might be better.)
Mariposa Lily on the La Milagrosa Canyon Loop Trail, Tucson, AZ
The ascent on flat rock takes you up nearly 1,000 feet and there isn’t any shade to be found. Once to the ridge at the top, you will descend to a lovely stream! After an easy stream crossing you will ascend again up to a three-way intersection. Take the trail off to the right which goes down for the eight-mile loop. (Or you can go straight up for the 10 miles out and back.) Here you will be descending the canyon and then going up the other side before following the east side of the canyon to a unique cow gate where you will enter private property, which is ok. Once through the gate you will descend a steep downhill in loose rock and cross a small stream before returning the way you came, back down the one-mile private road to your car.
Again, you may want to do this hike counterclockwise. Either way soak in the solitude and scenery!
(This is advertised as a six-mile loop or ten-mile out and back but I have added in the mileage to get to and from the trailhead, once again, so you can better plan your day.)
5. Wasson Peak Trail, Saguaro National Park West, 8 miles, 1,900 feet
Saguaro National Park is unique in that it is split into two sections with a city, Tucson, in between. The West section is nearly an hour drive from the foothills of the Santa Catalinas, where we stay, but Wasson Peak at 4,867 feet is the highest point in the Tucson Mountains and well worth the drive and the hike.
The 7.9 mile, 1,863 feet, loop trail begins at Kings Canyon Trailhead. The trail gradually climbs up from the dirt parking lot on an old rocky dirt road for about a mile before in narrows down into a trail. Territorial views of endless Saguaros abound!
The Sweetwater Trail (just past mile 2), to your left, follows a ridge up to the peak. The climb gets steeper and steeper as you ascend but expansive views in both directions of Tucson and the surrounding mountains just get better and better and the well-maintained switchbacks make it doable.
The final .5-mile spur trail ascent to Wasson Peak is easy and the reward is amazing – a complete 360-degree view of entire Tucson basin with the Rincon Mountains to the west and the Santa Catalina Mountains to the east. There is plenty of room at the top for a nice lunch. Although a popular hike, it just doesn’t feel crowded.
On the way to Wasson Peak, Saquaro National Park, West, Tucson, AZ. The cover picture is on the way back!
The gradual descent on a packed sandy path winds through wonderful vegetation; ocotillo, chollas, yucca and prickly pear in addition to being up close and personal with some younger saguaro.
Wasson Peak can also be accessed from the Saguaro National Park Visitor Center side where there are other wonderful trails too. The Desert Museum is a great stop after your hike!
If you go:
Fall, Winter and Spring are all wonderful times to hike in and around Tucson. Being at 2,400 feet, it’s slightly cooler than Phoenix but only early morning hikes are advised when it starts warming up.
Spring blooms are fantastic March-May. The blooms vary by year depending on rainfall and temperature. They begin with Lupine in March culminating with cactus including the incredible white blooms of the Saquaro in May!
Hiking in and around Tucson is generally rocky. I like having sturdy hiking shoes with ankle support and appreciate my trekking poles. A brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and water are a must!
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