Trails in the Tucson Mountain District

Saguaro U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Saguaro National Park Trails in the Tucson Mountain District Red Hills Visitor Center (520) 733-5158 Desert and Mountain Hiking Trails King Canyon Trail (3.5 miles, one way) The trailhead and parking area for this hike are directly across Kinney Road from the Arizona- S onora Desert Museum, two miles east of the Red Hills Visitor Center. The first .9 miles is a gradual climb up to Ma m - A Gah Picnic Area, which was named after a Tohono O’odham Indian Chief. The next 1.4 miles to the junction of the Sweetwater Trail are steeper. Numerous switchbacks on the next .9 miles lead to the Hugh Norris Trail.The final .3 miles ascends the Hugh Norris Trail to the top of Wasson Peak (elevation 4,687 feet), the highest point in the Tucson Mountains. Livestock are prohibited above the Sweetwater Trail junction. Cam-Boh Trail (2.7 miles, one way) This trail runs parallel to Picture Rocks Road from Cam-Boh Picnic Area to the Ringtail Trail. As a major connection between the east and west parts of the Tucson Mountain District, the Cam-Boh Trail pro vides several loop opportunities for both equestrians and hikers. Short Walks and Nature Trails Cactus Garden Trail (100 yards) Ringtail Trail (1 mile, one way) The Ringtail Trail provides access to numerous trails in the eastern part of the Tucson Mountain District. Several different loop opportunities exist using CamBoh Trail, Mule Deer Trail, Ironwood Forest Trail or Picture Rocks Wash Trail. The terrain varies from fairly level, to gently rolling to moderately steep. Use extreme caution while entering or exiting this trailhead as vehicle traffic on Picture Rocks Road can be heavy. The Cactus Garden Trail is located in front of the Red Hills Visitor Center. Interpretive signs will acquaint you with some of the common plants in the Tucson Mountain District. This paved trail is wheelchair accessible and offers resting benches throughout. Hugh Norris Trail (4.9 miles, one way) This is the longest trail in the Tucson Mountain District. It begins off the Bajada Loop Drive, 2.5 miles north of the Red Hills Visitor Center. The trail was named after a former Chief of the Tohono O’odham Indian Police. The trail begins with a series of switchbacks that climb to a ridge overlooking the cactus forest. From there, the trail follows the ridge top through areas with splendid views and unique rock formations until it reaches Amole Peak, approx i mately 4.1 miles from the trailhead. The next .8 miles goes up a final series of switchbacks and a gradual climb that leads to the top of Wasson Peak. Livestock are prohibited on this trail. Desert Discovery Trail (.5 miles) You will find the trailhead to this self-guided nature trail on Kinney Road, 1 mile northwest of the Red Hills Visitor Center. Exhibits discuss the native plants, animals and ecology of the Sonoran Desert. This paved trail is wheelchair accessible and offers resting benches and shade ramadas. Sweetwater Trail (3.4 miles, one way) Valley View Overlook Trail (.8 miles) The Valley View Overlook Trail is located on the Bajada Loop Drive, 3.5 miles north of the Red Hills Visitor Center. While hiking this trail you will pass through two washes and then gradually ascend a ridge. The view from this ridge is superb, with Avra Valley below and Picacho Peak to the north.The trail is rough and uneven in places and contains rock steps. Sendero Esperanza Trail (3.2 miles, one way) The Sweetwater Trail is the only access to Wasson Peak from the eastern side of the Tucson Mountains. The trailhead is located at the western end of El Camino del Cerro Road. The trail climbs 3.4 miles to a ridge where it ends at the King Canyon Trail. To reach Wasson Peak, continue up the King Canyon Trail .9 miles to the Hugh Norris Trail, then .3 miles to Wasson Peak. Livestock are prohibited on the King Canyon Trail from the Sweetwater Trail to Hugh Norris Trail. Signal Hill Petroglyphs Trail (.5 miles) This easy climb takes you to dozens of petroglyphs scattered around a rocky hilltop. The trail zig -zags up a small hill just north of Signal Hill Picnic Area, which is located off Golden Gate Road, 5 miles from the Red Hills Visitor Center.The trail is rough and uneven in places and contains rock steps. This trailhead is approximately 6 miles from the Red Hills Visitor Center, 1.5 miles east of the intersection of Hohokam Road and Golden Gate Road. The first mile of trail follows the sandy path of an old mine road. The next .7 mile climbs a series of switchbacks to the top of the ridge where it crosses the Hugh Norris Trail. The trail then descends 1.4 miles on the western side of the range to Mam-A-Gah Picnic Area and the King Canyon Trail. It is .9 miles down the King Canyon Trail to Kinney Road, directly across from the ArizonaSonora Desert Museum. Cactus Wren Trail (1.5 miles, one way) The Cactus Wren trail runs from the corner of Sandario Road and Rudasill Road to Signal Hill Picnic Area. This area is fairly flat and crosses several washes. Livestock are prohibited on the Cactus Wren Trail south of the Encinas Trail. Help preserve the unique natural features of the park while assuring your safety and that of other visitors. To 10 Exit 242 Legend Road, paved Road, unpaved Trail via Avra Valley Road S il Safford Peak 3563ft 1086m Panther Peak 3435ft 1047m Sa ve rb nt a a Ro d Exit 246 • • • • Exit 248 ell Road Wheelchair accessible Picnic Area Campground Private Property No Access P ictur e R o ck s Panth er 1. 9 Pe ak Wade TH Trailhead A Other trail access points For information and permits call Arizona State Lands Department at (520) 628-5480. State Trust Land Co r State Trust Lands ta ro Ro 10 State Trust Land R iv er Ina Road W as h 1.0 A .4 Ringtail .3 A Mule .3 Deer 1.0 Road Belmont Road TH .4 Rudasill Road A Ca Ma n v i l l e -Bo h m Ca Ironwood Forest 1.4 .3 .6 • • • • • • Cam-Boh VA L L E Y Road a sh c s tu Wre n Coyote Pass .7 .8 A Gila Monster Cactus Canyon 1.0 Road te .4 Ga SAGUARO Enc ina 2.9 c Pi tu sh .9 Brittlebush State Trust Land del Cerro no mi a .7 Manville Road A Signal Hill G o l de n • • • s two-way Ez-Kim-In-Zin Sandario AV R A .9 two- TH W A TH 1.7 NATIONAL Thunderbird TH El C To Silverbell Road 1.0 a Baja d Es per a n z Scenic Bajada Loop Drive H oh TH ka m o two -w 2.7 Hugh ay SENSITIVE RESOURCE AREA NO ACCESS N is orr 1.9 .9 3.4 Sw et Sus h as W Ro ad Amole Peak .3 e wa on Wasson Peak 4687ft 1428m a ter e- w .7 Valley View Overlook A ay Dobe 1.4 Was h .4 PARK Plants, animals, rocks, wood and other natural resources are protected and must be left undisturbed. Report any damage of park resources to a park ranger. To preserve the desert, try to avoid off trail travel. If you must go off trail, limit group size to 10 people. Hiking groups are limited to a maximum of 18 persons when hiking on designated trails. Pets on a leash are permitted only on roadways, at the visitor center and in picnic areas, except Mam-A-Gah Picnic Area, as it is only accessible by trail. Pets must remain on a leash at all times. Pets are prohibited on all trails. Bicycles are permitted only on roadways. Fires are allowed only in grills in the picnic areas. Firearms and other weapons are prohibited. Camping is prohibited anywhere in the park. Entry into the Sensitive Resource Area near the Red Hills Visitor Center is prohibited. Premits are required to use State Trust Lands. For information and permits call the Arizona State Land Department at (520) 6285480 or (602) 542-4631. Livestock groups are limited to a maximum of 15 animals. Livestock are prohibited from traveling off- t rail. Livestock are prohibited on the following trails: Cactus Garden Trail, Desert Discovery Trail, Valley View Overlook Trail, Signal Hill Petroglyphs Trail, Hugh Norris Trail, King Canyon Trail from the Sweetwater Trail junction to the Hugh Norris Trail junction, Cactus Wren Trail south of the Encinas Trail, Manville Trail from Signal Hill Picnic Area to Manville Road, Bajada Wash Trail from Valley View Overlook Trail to Sus Picnic Area, Signal Hill Picnic Area and Sus Picnic Area. uz Cr ad .3 way re R 1.0 oc ks W .4 Roadrunner 1.4 .2 .6 Pr o a ec y W ph o TH Desert Discovery Nature Trail der n Se Gould M 1.1 2570ft 784m TH Mile North Wide Road Ro ad ng .5 .8 1.3 1.1 ild Dog .7 Safety Tips • Hiking and other strenuous activities in extreme heat can be hazardous. Pace yourself and rest often. Carry water (at least one gallon per person per day) and drink even when you don’t feel thirsty. Hats and sunscreen are strongly recommended. Encounters with cacti and other prickly plants can be painful. Be especially careful near cholla cactus, which with the slightest touch, can become embedded in your skin. If a cholla cactus segment attaches itself to you, do not grab it. Use two sticks, a pocket comb or other similar objects as a lever to flick it off. Rattlesnakes are commonly seen througout the year. Stay on trails and keep a safe distance from any snakes you encounter. Do not enter mine shafts. They may be unstable and may contain toxic fumes. Picture Rocks Road, Sandario Road and Kinney Road have heavy vehicle traffic. Use caution when entering or exiting these roads. Lock your vehicle. Do not leave valuables inside. 1.4 Ki nn ey Red Hills Visitor Center e in .9 .4 Cany on State Trust Land TU 1.0 CS State Trust Land O Mam-A-Gah Park Boundary DESERT STATION UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA • N Ki • Exit 257 To Tucson and 10 M O 0 0 1 Kilometer 1 Mile Arizona -Sonora Desert Museum TUCSON COUNTY MOUNTAIN PARK • • • U N TA IN S Roa d TOHONO O’ODHAM RESERVATION To 86 McCain Loop Rd Old Tucson Studios Gilbert Ray To 86 and 19 Exit 99 Pass Gate s IMPORTANT NOTE: Golden Gate and Hohokam Roads are dirt roads and close at sunset. Travel on Hohokam Road is not recommended for long vehicles.