The Hugh Norris Trail and Wasson Peak summit are fully exposed to sun and heat. Wasson Peak via The Sendero Esperanza and Hugh Norris Trails, Trail Map, Saguaro West - Tucson Mountain District: Sendero Esperanza Trailhead, Saguaro National Park, Arizona Backcountry camping is permitted only in Saguaro East; reservations and a free permit are required and can be obtained at the visitor center. The most humane way up to Wasson Peak is to take the Sendero Esperanza trail to the junction with Hugh Norris. Once you've enjoyed the views from Wasson Peak, backtrack and then head down the Hugh Norris Trail - a sandy, and fun trail. I would recommend starting this hike a little earlier. Those seeking lightly used alternative routes will find them at the King Canyon Trailhead. MOUNTAIN RANGE: Tucson HIKABLE MONTHS: NOV thru MAR. Today I am hoping to climb 4480 foot Wasson Peak. A nice loop hike to a popular high point, Wasson Peak. Wasson Peak. loop hike. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You can contact ProTrails directly through our Facebook or Instagram accounts. National Park website at. right to head back to the cars. Much of the trail is overgrown with creosote bushes and large prickly pear cacti, but it should be easy to follow the correct path. Great panoramic scenes of the valley come into view. Mount Lemmon (9,157') is easily identified across the Tucson Valley on a clear day. Continue following the relatively direct trail, making an occasional short switchback until you reach the intersection with the Sendero Esperanza Trail. There are a few ways to reach the summit including the Sweetwater trail from the east and the Hugh Norris and the Sendero Esperanza trails from the west. The climb is fairly steep up toward the saddle before the climb to Wasson Peak. This trail is a 7.4 mile loop over the summit of Wasson Peak. This trail connects to the Hugh Norris Trail and King Canyon Trail as well as others making it a great place to sample a wide variety of trails. At 1.2 miles it scales moderately steep switchbacks to Wasson Peak's west ridge and the Hugh Norris Trail (1.75 miles : 3,610'). I could always sit at any point along the trail and wait for the others to come back and join them on the way back down. At 3.25 miles (4,300') the trail scales another set of rocky switchbacks to the King Canyon Trail - Sweetwater Trail junction (3.65 miles : 4,566'). This hike starts at the King Canyon Trailhead. Note the greater diversity of grasses and brush in this transition from Desert Scrub to Desert Grassland. The King Canyon Trailhead was well marked a short walk from the parking lot. 3.2 mi . Hike We arrived around 11:00 and found that the parking lot was a bit full, but were able to find a spot. You'll see the remains of old mining operations including several old mine shafts, great views of Saguaro National Park and Tucson. If you turn left, you will hike back to the King Canyon Trail. accommodate a maximum of 10-12 vehicles. and look at the petroglyphs. We took the Hugh Norris, Sendero Esperanza & Gould Mine trails back. Turn right (east) and take Golden Gate Road (graded dirt) 4.5 miles to The top of the mountain has nice views of Tucson, the Santa Catalina Mountains, and beyond! Wasson Peak is off the beaten path so mostly locals do this hike; it's never crowded. 1.4 mi . BULLETIN DESCRIPTION: A Turn right (east) and take Golden Gate Road (graded dirt) 4.5 miles to Another trail (Dobe Wash trail) will intercept your path, just ignore it. Turn left (northwest) at the Esperanza Trail and hike another mile until reaching the Hugh Norris Trail. Once you get out of the sand you're in for a steep, quick climb up a series of rocky switchbacks to reach a ridge where Sendero Esperanza intersects with Hugh Norris Trail.This will be the high point of the trail. The Sendero Esperanza Trail accessed off Golden Gate Road connects with the Hugh Norris Trail on its 4-mile journey to Wasson Peak. The first mile is relatively flat, but quickly ascends up switch backs (220 feet elevation) towards the ridge. Time: 6 hrs. Esperanza trails. Hiked to Wasson Peak using Sendero Esperanza to the Hugh Norris Trail. There are a few ways to reach the summit including the Sweetwater trail from the east and the Hugh Norris and the Sendero Esperanza trails from the west. After lunch at Wasson peak, this group took the King Canyon Trail back to the dam, and down the King Canyon wash back to the Gould Mine Trailhead. Road. I had a wonderful hike and experienced wildflower-induced giddiness that lasted all day! Sandero Esperanza meets Hugh Norris Trail further up the trail where, for this hike, turns right. Posts about Wasson Peak written by yourcameraisnotbigenough. Penstemon with Ragged Top in far center. Return ... Continue 2.6 miles to the Sendero Esperanza Trailhead on the left. Sandero Esperanza meets Hugh Norris Trail further up the trail where, for this hike, turns right. Tell us when your experience with this trail happened. We returned on the Hugh Norris Trail for just under 2 miles to the intersection with the Sendero Esperanza Trail. Print Trail 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. Panther Peak and Sombrero Peak, Saguaro National Park – West in the Tucson Mountains northeast of Tucson, Arizona. The Sendero Esperanza Trail heads south on a sandy, brush-lined path (once an old wagon road) toward the base of Wasson Peak. Wasson Peak via The Sendero Esperanza and Hugh Norris Trails, Trail Map, Saguaro West - Tucson Mountain District: Sendero Esperanza Trailhead, Saguaro National Park, Arizona Wasson Peak via The Sendero Esperanza and Hugh Norris Trails - 7.9 Miles Trail Log Turn right (north) onto Kinney Road and drive north past the Arizona-Sonora Take the King Canyon Trail up the the Wasson Peak summit, then follow the Hugh Norris Trail to the junction with the Sendero Esperanza Trail, and then finally onto the Gould Mine Trail, passing an old mine along the way. The Sendero Esperanza Trail runs Though saguaros are relatively sparse in this north-facing bajada, diverse cholla gardens, mature ironwoods and large barrel cacti highlight the first mile. We took the King's Canyon Trail to the Sweetwater Trail, then the final .3 of a mile up to the peak. Amole Peak, often misidentified as Wasson Peak early in the hike, sits just off to the north of this challenging segment. 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. The views on the peak are well worth the climb. Turn left on Sendero Esperanza which is a bit rocky but continues down past the picnic spot to the dry river bed. GAIN/MAX. Wasson Peak is off the beaten path so mostly locals do this hike; it's never crowded. Return You'll follow the King Canyon Trail along the wash then down into the wash near the picnic area. King Canyon Trailhead, King Canyon Trail, Hugh Norris Trail, Sendero Esperanza Trail, Gould Mine Trail. Wasson Peak was named for John Wasson, an editor of the Tucson Citizen and unlikely appointee to the surveyor general office of the Arizona Territory in 1870. Turn right (north) and take Sandario Road 0.25 miles to Golden Gate MONTHS: NOV thru MAR, TRAVEL MILES: 90                                               ROAD Long Hike - Leader - Mike. Continue on Kinney Road 2 miles to Sandario Sendero Esperanza’s wildflowers were great on the switchbacks up to the ridge, but the Hugh Norris Trail is completely carpeted for much of the way to the peak! You can download a trail map on the Saguaro You can download a trail map on the Saguaro The Sendero Esperanza and Gould Mine Trails offer lightly used alternative starting points for the summit. Way about 5 miles to Kinney Road (stoplight with McDonalds on the northeast This group started at Gould Mine Trail which meets Sandero Esperanza just past the Gould Mine. From Wasson Peak I took the Hugh Norris Trail to the Sendero Esperanza Trail. the way to King Canyon Trail, then up King Canyon Trail to Wasson Peak. PASS REQUIREMENT: US Forest Service (Golden Age) HIKE LIMIT: 18 . PARKING AT TRAILHEAD: Parking area can Once you've enjoyed the views from Wasson Peak, backtrack and then head down the Hugh Norris Trail - a sandy, and fun trail. Hike the Gould Hill Mine Trail 1.1 miles, following a drainage most of the way. At this intersection, you will want to go straight, or toward the right. Turn right onto Golden Gate Road and continue for 1.5 miles to the marked Sendero Esperanza Trailhead on your right hand side. It is moderate to difficult due to its length … In order to keep the scenery fresh we had decided on a loop rather than an out-and-back. Chia. From the Peak looking at the trail & Avra Valley. north-south and crosses the Hugh Norris Trail at a saddle (1.8 miles). Our hike this week took us to the Tucson Mountains to have a try at Wasson Peak (elevation 4,687 feet), the highest point in the Tucson Mountains. Ocotillo, prickly pear, mesquite, cat's claw and various cholla also thrive in these high, open spaces. 0.8 mi away. In the distance, we could see the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Saguaro National Park Tucson Mountain District Tucson, Arizona. There was actually quite a bit of cool stuff built by the CCC around SNP--picnic shelters, fire pits, etc. Here saguaro forests yield to grassy hillsides, yucca, jojoba and various shrubs not found lower on the trail. The first part of the trail on Sendero Esperanza is flat; watch for snakes but enjoy the many different species of cacti. 548 ft. Dobe Wash Trail - Saguaro NP West. Stop Esperanza trails. — View from the Sendero Esperanza Trail Hiking To Wasson Peak Images by kenne (March 14, 2014) At just under a mile the King Canyon trail intersects with the Sendero Esperanza Trail and a large wash. Continue 2.6 miles to the Sendero Esperanza Trailhead on the left. Parking area can north to Ajo Way (Exit 99). HIKE DESCRIPTION: The trails are PASS REQUIREMENT: US Forest Service The Sendero Esperanza and Hugh Norris trails join to form the shortest and perhaps most lightly used route to Wasson Peak, the Tucson Mountain District's highest point. Wasson Peak via Hugh Norris Trail and Sendero Esperanza Trail. ... one hike would include the entire group following the Sendero Esperanza Trail until we crossed the Hugh Norris Trail. Sendero Esperanza trail to Wasson Peak. Wasson Peak is off the beaten path so mostly locals do this hike; it's never crowded. Rendezvous here and use the restrooms. 1.7: Return on the King Canyon Trail to the junction with the Sendero Esperanza … Wildlife is particularly active in washes that cross this ares. the Sendero Esperanza trailhead. Wasson Peak to Sendero Esperanza Trail From the peak, you will retrace your steps back to the Hugh Norris Trail Intersection. From the Peak looking at the trail & Avra Valley. The first part of the trail on Sendero Esperanza is flat; watch for snakes but enjoy the many different species of cacti. You'll see the remains of old mining operations including several old mine shafts, great views of Saguaro National Park and Tucson. The CCC-built Mam-A-Gah picnic area is located near this junction, but Matt and I didn't need a break and just kept cruising right up the trail. There are a few ways to reach the summit including the Sweetwater trail from the east and the Hugh Norris and the Sendero Esperanza trails from the west. on the Hugh Norris Trail to the junction with the Sendero Esperanza Trail and turn 2.1 mi away. The climb is fairly steep up toward the saddle before the climb to Wasson Peak. The journey down from Wasson Peak was pretty similar to the way up, but was still a nice hike. corner). Great panoramic scenes of the valley come into view. Hiked to Wasson Peak using Sendero Esperanza to the Hugh Norris Trail. I had a wonderful hike and experienced wildflower-induced giddiness that lasted all day! ... 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