24 Green Valley, AZ 85614 | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Contact Us |. Special to the Green Valley News, Stay Informed. The Sweetwater joins the King Canyon Trail on … David Colpitts | Special to the Green Valley News, Great Hikes: Wasson Peak via Sweetwater Trail, By David Colpitts The top of the mountain has nice views of Tucson, the Santa Catalina Mountains, and beyond! Wasson Peak is in Saguaro National Park (West) and the Sweetwater Trail is one of several that lead toward the peak. Take I-19 north toward Tucson to I-10, then west toward Phoenix. Travel eases through 2.25 miles (3,660') and drops gently into a saddle at the Sendero Esperanza Trail junction (2.7 miles : 3,610'). The Sweetwater Trail is the only trail which provides access to Wasson Peak on the east side of the Tucson Mountains. Hugh Norris Trail. To return to the trail head, retrace your steps. Clear signage at all intersections makes it easy to follow. Thanks in advance! We can thank those early miners for many of the trails that snake their way through the Mountains. DIFFICULT 4.5 mi. Copyright © Mam-a-Gah via King Canyon Trail. Very mellow grade on an easy to follow trail. Alternatively, for those who are eligible, an America the Beautiful Senior Pass will provide admission. Wasson Peak via King Canyon Trail. Multiple trails go to Wasson Peak, but we chose to go via King Canyon Trail, so we could form a 7.8 mile loop. Marylee Adamson of the green Valley Hiking Club admires a crested saguaro on the way up to Wasson Peak. The hike is rated demanding by the Green Valley Hiking Club. Passes may be obtained at a visitors center or online at http://www.nps.gov/sagu/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm. There is little shade along the way so in hot weather you will need extra water. My site is free to use, but consider sending me a few bucks to help keep it running. From here, the trail steepens and switchbacks up the ridge. This is one of a few routes leading to Wasson Peak. The Saguaro National Park website indicates that over 25 crested saguaros have been identified in the park, and this is a fine example indeed. Hiking info for Wasson Peak via Sweetwater Trail, located in Saguaro National Park, Arizona. Biologists have identified several possible causes, ranging from genetic mutation to freeze damage or a lightning strike. Wasson Peak via Sweetwater Trail. Expect to take five hours plus time for stops. I arrived at the trail head around 8:45 and was on the trail by 9:00. Wasson Peak via Sweetwater Trail, AZ: ... Wasson Peak is without a doubt, the best known in the Tucson Mountains. 8. Wasson Peak is in Saguaro National Park (West) and the Sweetwater Trail is one of several that lead toward the peak. The Sweetwater Trail winds through the lower east-side sections of Wasson Peak offering beautiful views of Tucson, desert vegetation, and even across a wash area. I did Wasson Peak via the King Canyon and Gould Mine Loop earlier this year and it was a bit more interesting, but really the landscape is just a lot of saguaro cacti and desert views. You'll see the remains of old mining operations including several old mine shafts, great views of Saguaro National Park and Tucson. Getting to the Trailhead Today, … 10. Once you make it to the top, it … Go right and head up the mountain in a north westerly direction. This hike isn’t easy, with the heat and elevation gain of almost 2,500 feet. The trailhead elevation is at 2800' and the summit of Wasson is at 4480' - 1600' of elevation gain. There are several approaches to Wasson Peak, but my favorite is to wander along the old mining road until it joins the Sweetwater Trail. The area and cactus variety is so nice, it almost looked planted. After a short drive from Gilbert Ray Campground , we pulled into an unmarked parking lot just past the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum . Panorama of Wasson Peak Near The Top. Wasson Peak Via Sweetwater Trail. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round. From the Camino del cerro trailhead take sweetwater trail to Wasson Peak. Apache Peak Loop via Hugh Norris Trail. The trail climbs 3.4 miles to a ridge where it ends at the King Canyon Trail. Sweetwater Trail. Length 7.9 mi Elevation gain 1,863 ft … Wasson Peak is most commonly climbed via four trails: Gould Hill Mine-Esperanza Trail. 7. Hike the Gould Hill Mine Trail 1.1 miles, following a drainage most of the way. Jessica Morgan. Wasson Peak is in Saguaro National Park (West) and the Sweetwater Trail is one of several that lead toward the peak. document.write(year) While there are a few steep sections, most of the elevation is gained gradually. Added by Lacie Griego This trail is a 7.4 mile loop over the summit of Wasson Peak. The views will knock your socks off! Apache Peak Loop via Hugh Norris Trail. The next mile and a … Wasson Peak Via Sweetwater Trail. Stay left, on the Sweetwater Trail. The first 2 miles are a "lush" cactus garden including a couple of interesting washes. They are a challenging climb for a novice hiker, but manageable. This loop hike travels along ridges with grand desert vistas and through some of the thickest Saguaro forest in Arizona. From Sweetwater Saddle, the trails twists and turns northwest along the backbone of the Tucson Mountains. Wasson Peak via Sweetwater Trail. var today = new Date() The trail will now meander for almost two miles, heading vaguely south and cross four distinct washes. Within your group you should have a first aid kit, map and compass and whistle. document.write(year) var year = today.getFullYear() Sweetwater Trail The Sweetwater Trail provides the only access to Wasson Peak from the eastern front of the Tucson Mountains. DIFFICULT 5.3 mi. Indeed, an earlier map identifies the Sweetwater, King Canyon and Hugh Norris trails all as “Packer Trail.”. DIFFICULT 6.4 mi. Wasson Peak. The trail … DIFFICULT 6.4 mi. Access for the Sweetwater Trail from the Camino Del Cerro trail head is 38 miles from Green Valley, all on paved road. DIFFICULT 6.7 mi. Sweetwater Trail. Wasson Peak via Sweetwater trail (elevation 4,867 feet) is a nine mile round-trip out and back trail in Saguaro National Forest (West). The Sweetwater Trail provides a steady ascent to the saddle where it intersects with the King Canyon Trail which is a popular route to Wasson Peak from the west side. DIFFICULT 6.7 mi. Access for the Sweetwater Trail from the Camino Del Cerro trail head is 38 miles from Green Valley, all on paved road. Sweetwater Trail, AZ The top of the Tucson Mountains by bigracket1 This trail is the eastern access point to Wasson Peak, the highest point in the Tucson Mountains, the range to the west of Tucson. Over 25 crested saguaros have been found in Saguaro National Park. The first mile is relatively flat, but quickly ascends up switch backs (220 feet elevation) towards the ridge. We will take a **short break** at the saddle to take in the views before continuing on to the Peak. Starting up the Sweetwater Trail, Wasson Peak in the center. Take I-19 north toward Tucson to I … A $5 pass, also good for a week, admits an individual on foot or bicycle. Wasson Peak: Great Hike in Tucson - See 22 traveller reviews, 51 candid photos, and great deals for Tucson, AZ, at Tripadvisor. But you can see the ridge arcing above the basin, the three knobs, and Wasson Peak over on the right. This is a 9.1 mile out-and-back hike with 2100 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about 3-5 hours to complete. var year = today.getFullYear() The trail reaches Wasson Peak's narrow west ridge after a methodical 2 mile climb, where it oscillates between the north and south side for the next 2.5 miles. 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After the fourth wash, the trail begins a gradual but steady uphill ascent, coming to a wide saddle 3.4 miles from the trailhead. After one such turn we could finally see Wasson Peak off of a high ridge from nearby Amole Peak. Wasson Peak via Hugh Norris Trail and Sendero Esperanza Trail. DIFFICULT 6.9 mi. David Colpitts hikes with the Green Valley Hiking Club. I was puffing, but also moving very quickly. 5. Why cresting occurs in plants such as the saguaro is still open to debate. Leave I-10 at exit 252 (for El Camino Del Cerro/Ruthrauff Road) and go west for 5.8 miles to the Camino Del Cerro trailhead. Copyright © 1999- The hike takes place in Saguaro National Park, and therefore a pass is required. Starting from the El Camino del Cerro Trailhead, follow the pleasant Sweetwater Trail all the way up to Wasson Peak. The Sonoran … Cresting occurs when the growing tip of the saguaro mutates into a fan shape. Find More Hikes in Tucson + Southeastern Arizona. Mining and prospecting was very active in the Tucson Mountains in the late 1800s and early 1900s with over 120 mines, prospects and quarries having been worked in the area. • Wick Communications. SCVN guided hike to Wasson Peak via Kings Canyon trail, which is about a seven mile (roundtrip) hike and elevation gain of 1,900 ft. You have permission to edit this article. Looking back down toward the saddle south of Wasson Peak. Along the way and close to the trail, you will pass two old mine sites encircled by barbed wire. Wasson Peak . var today = new Date() Climbing to the Junction of King Canyon and Wasson peak trails you encounter a variety of desert vegetation (be careful it bites as in having all kinds of prickles and thorns). The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round. The trail stays south of the main drainage in Sweetwater Basin. There are a couple trail options to make the climb to Wasson Peak. The trailhead is located at the western end of El Camino del Cerro Road. The first two miles will have little elevation gain, but the rolling foothills, the forest of saguaros and the Tucson Mountains provide an attractive backdrop and pleasant hiking. A pass good for a week costs $10 and admits a vehicle and its occupants. At the peak, enjoy views in every direction from your perch 4687 feet above sea level, with Tucson and the Santa Cruz River Valley at your feet to the east and the Tucson Mountains to the south and west. A map of the area can be downloaded from the Saguaro National Park website at http://www.nps.gov/sagu. This is one of a few routes leading to Wasson Peak. EASY 2.9 mi. The grade now increases, with a series of switchbacks, a few steep sections, and a steady uphill grind. It is 4.8 miles one way, 9.6 return, with an accumulated elevation gain of 2100 feet. 9.2 miles; Tucson, AZ Wild Dog Trail At Saguaro National Park (West) Wild Dog trail is a short point-to-point trail that connects the Valley View Trail to Golden Gate Road in … Some of our hikers made only the Kings Canyon trail to the first saddle since we were experiencing unusually warm record-setting temperatures (the mid-90’s). 8. Length … Sendero Esperanza Trail to the Ridge/ To Wasson Peak (3.4-8 miles, 220-1600 feet elevation) Take the Sendero-Esperanza trail to the Hugh Norris trail junction on the ridgeline. After a few miles the slope of the trail will increase and bring you to the saddle intersecting w/ King Canyon Trail. From the saddle it is a short, steep 1.2 mile hike up to the summit of Wasson Peak. Wasson Peak via King Canyon and Hugh Norris Trail [CLOSED] is a 7.9 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Cortaro, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The next 1.4 miles presented a nice incline. 4. mavarin2 2 months ago . Valley View Picnic Area (historical) to Signal Hill, Pima County, AZ, USA. As you crest the saddle, the view to the west opens out, providing broad vistas down into King Canyon and, beyond to the Avra Valley and countless distant mountain ranges. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and running and is accessible year-round. Follow the link to Maps of Saguaro National Park and click on the Tucson Mountain District (west) map. We hike to Wasson Peak via the Sweetwater Trail. Once on El Camino, signs will lead you to the trailhead at the road’s end. In 0.9 miles from the junction of the King Canyon and Sweetwater Trails you will come to the Hugh Norris Trail. DIFFICULT 4.5 mi. Profile. • Sahuarita Sun • 101 S. 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