Sunday, February 7, 2010

Wasson Peak Loop, Saguaro National Park - West Unit, Arizona


Distance: 8.1 miles

Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous

Elevation: 2850 - 4690 feet

Season: October - May


Wasson Peak is the highest peak within Saguaro National Park's West Unit just west of Tucson. At nearly 4,700 feet it is located at the upper edge of the Sonoran life zone and provides spectacular views of the entire Madrean Sky Islands region of southern Arizona.


The trails that leave from adjacent Tucson Mountain Park and through Saguaro National Park offer the chance to do a wonderful loop with several Sonoran microclimates, multiple geological settings, and amazing views. Since you will be climbing nearly 2,000 feet and this IS the desert, be prepared with lots of water and get an early start, even in the relatively cool winter months!

The route begins across from the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum in Tucson Mountain Park west of town. The initial route is called Kings Canyon Trail and follows an arroyo into the national park and up to Mam-a-Gah picnic area about 1 mile into the park. From there, take continue on Kings Canyon Trail for 1.4 miles until reaching a saddle with the first views over the ridge and down to Tucson below and the 9,000 foot Mount Lemmon beyond.


Here you will arrive at the intersection with the Sweetwater Trail. Follow the trail north straight up the ridgeline. The trail is not overly difficult, despite the 1,000 foot ascent, but it could be strenuous, particularly if it is getting hot! The trail will switchback a few times and then reach an intersection at the top of the ridge. There is a 0.3 mile spur to the summit of Wasson Peak.


From the summit, the entire Southern Arizona expanse is visible. To the east is Tuscon and the snow and conifer covered Mount Lemmon. The Biosphere 2 is also visible just north of the mountain. Just south of Mount Lemmon is the broad 8,000 foot dome of Rincon Mountain and the pointier Mica Mountain within Saguaro National Park - East Unit.


To the south is 9,000 foot Mount Wrightson in the Santa Rita mountains, the broad expanse of the Santa Cruz valley down to Nogalez, the broad rising bajada and dome of Sierrita Mountain and across the Tohono O'odham reservation to the Baboquivari Mountains with the 7,000 foot pinnacle of Baboquivari Peak to the southwest and Kitt Peak with its astronomical observatories.


To the north, Picacho Peak is visible, while northwest contrains the Ironwood Forest National Monument, Silverbell Mountains, and the flat-topped Table Top Mountain in the distance.


On the return, take the Hugh Norris trail for 1.9 miles along the ridgeline overlooking the northern section of the park. On this north-facing slope, the saguaros and other low Sonoran vegetation is gone and is replaced with more frost-tolerant species of yuccas, sotols, acacia, and jojoba.


The other thing that is really interesting is suddenly the geology changes from rough, rocky sedimental and metamorphic rocks to granite. The smooth rounded granite boulders and soft granite sand on the trail is a welcome relief to the eyes and feet!


The trail slowly descends down the ridge until reaching a saddle. Take the turn to the left down the Esperanza trail for about a mile until reaching some old mining shafts. Just below the shafts turn right and follow the Gould Mine Trail 1.1 miles back to the trailhead to complete this wonderful loop!

13 comments:

xjd7410@gmail.com said...

20150908 junda
michael kors
louboutin pas cher
coach outlet
coach factory outlet
soccer jerseys wholesale
ray ban sunglass
prada handbags
ugg australia
adidas uk
nike blazer
fitflops sale clearance
air force 1
longchamp outlet
jordan shoes
michael kors outlet online
new balance outlet
prada outlet
ugg boots sale
kate spade handbags
ray bans
adidas gazelle trainers
polo ralph lauren outlet
barbour uk
north face uk
michael kors handbags
ray ban outlet
ray ban sunglasses
michael kors uk
uggs outlet
ralph lauren uk
michael kors handbag
nike free run 5.0
oakley sunglasses sale
canada goose uk
toms wedges
cheap soccer shoes
coach outlet online
adidas shoes
oakley sunglasses wholesale
coach factory outlet

Unknown said...

hogan,hogan outlet,scarpe hogan,hogan sito ufficiale,hogan interactive
oakley sunglasses
washington redskins
bottega veneta outlet
cheap jordan shoes
babyliss flat iron
true religion jeans
michael kors outlet online
mlb jerseys
michael kors uk
ugg outlet store
canada goose outelt
ferragamo outlet
ugg outlet uk
gucci outlet
karen millen uk
tiffany and co
tods outlet
giuseppe zanotti outlet
1024minko

xumeiqing said...

20160906meiqing
coach outlet
louboutin pas cher
ralph lauren outlet
ferragamo shoes
ysl outlet
louboutin outlet
north face jackets
ralph lauren outlet online
abercrombie and fitch outlet
birkenstock sandals
ugg outlet
fitflops
true religion
michael kors outlet
yeezy boost 350
cheap jordans
rolex replica watches
ralph lauren outlet
ugg boots
canada goose jackets
rolex watches
michael kors outlet
nike trainers
ray ban sunglasses
bottega veneta handbags
coach outlet online
pandora charms
longchamp outlet
true religion outlet
canada goose pas cher
doudoune moncler
adidas gazelle
canada goose parka
longchamp bags
air jordan retro
birkenstocks
the north face
louis vuitton factory outlet

chenlina said...

nike nfl jerseys
adidas nmd
ugg sale
cheap uggs
uggs outlet
ugg australia
mont blanc pens for sale
coach factory outlet
nike outlet store
michael kors outlet
chenlina20160923

Unknown said...

birkenstock shoes
michael kors outlet online
michael kors outlet
armani exchange
coach outlet
uggs outlet
cheap nike shoes
ugg boots outlet
polo ralph lauren outlet online
buy red bottoms
20161087caiyan

chenlina said...

mont blanc pens for sale
chanel bags
ray ban wayfarer
christian louboutin shoes
supra sneakers
cheap oakley sunglasses
coach outlet
mont blanc pens
ugg sale
toms shoes
chenlina20161107

Unknown said...

michael kors outlet
michael kors handbags
cheap uggs
swarovski outlet
ugg boots
nike mercurial
michael kors handbags
michael kors outlet online
tiffany jewelry
pandora jewelry
20161202caihuali

Unknown said...

oakley
goyard handbags
balenciaga sneakers
air max 90
caterpillar shoes
derrick rose shoes
ray ban sunglasses
longchamp longchamps
burberry outlet online
lebron 15 shoes

Unknown said...

adidas ultra boost
kobe 9
golden goose sneakers
derrick rose shoes
yeezy
air max 90
nike air max
kevin durant shoes
nike air vapormax
adidas gazelle sale

QQQQQQQQQ said...

oakleys sunglasses
tom ford sunglasses
balenciaga sneakers
michael kors outlet
kobe 9
nba jerseys
birkin bag
reebok outlet
goyard bags
Kanye West shoes

SSSSSS said...

air max 270
yeezy
jordan retro 12
kevin durant shoes
nike flyknit racer
balenciaga shoes
kd 10
converse outlet
golden goose
ray ban aviator sunglasses

Unknown said...

www1013

new balance shoes
ugg outlet boots
canada goose
nike shoes
red bottom shoes
jordan 8
pandora charms
hogan shoes
nike shoes
coach outlet




Unknown said...

tory burch sandals
nike roshe
asics gel kayano
fake rolex
jordan 4
balenciaga shoes
golden goose sneakers
coach factory outlet
adidas nmd
nike cortez men

Just Giving Back For All To Enjoy

Why pay money to buy hiking books? Why pay fees to view trail websites? By searching my archives and checking back often to see new posts, we are sure you will be able to find the hike that is right for you ... and for free!

In addition, we provide fascinating ecological and geological information to make the hikes informative and fun. As former National Park Rangers, we know how to find the right hike for you. So, if you are on vacation, we will provide you with the hike you absolutely MUST do while in an area. Do not go on vacation without checking out this site!