Self portrait of me at sunset on the Douglas Spring Trail
My favorite short hikes in East Tucson
I spend a lot of time hiking on the east side of Tucson. Why? Because that's where I live and it's the most beautiful part of Tucson. Most days all I have time for is a short hike. My schedule is busy and my beautiful wife isn't too happy if I'm gone all the time. Here are five of my favorite short hikes.
My first two favorite short hikes are located inside Saguaro National Park East. The Douglas Spring Trail begins at the eastern end of Speedway. When Speedway comes to an end there is a parking area on the right hand side. The entrance to Tanque Verde Ranch is on the left side. From the parking area the trail heads east. The entire trail is very well maintained. The first part is very easy with only a small slope. It then steepens quite a bit as it heads up the mountain. This trail is about 3 miles long (6 miles round trip) and goes to the Bridal Wreath Falls trailhead. Bridal Wreath Falls is beautiful when there is water. I only suggest going when there has been substantial and recent rain, or lots of snow on the mountains. My most recent hike here was in February the morning after a very cold night.
Bridal Wreath Falls frozen at the end of the Douglas Spring Trail
The Mica View trail is also located in Saguaro National Park East. The trail head is located about a quarter mile from the eastern end of Broadway. From Broadway the trail heads south. It is a very easy trail and sometimes has horseback riders. It is mostly flat and goes for about .7 miles to the Mica View picnic area. From there I like to take a short .3 mile trail east to the Javelina Wash Trail and go north another .3 miles to the Cactus Forest Trail. From this point I like to take the Cactus Forest Trail northwest for .7 miles back to the Mica View trail head. Whenever possible I prefer to do some kind of loop rather than an out and back over the same trail. There are many short trails in this area giving a great variety of possible hikes.
View from the Cactus Forest Trail looking east towards the Rincon Mountains
Soldier Trail is located in the Catalina Mountains. To get there, take Catalina Highway northeast from Tanque Verde Road. Catalina Highway will begin to go up the mountain. Within about a mile of the bottom, the trail head for Soldier Trail will be on the left hand side with limited parking on the side of the road. Soldier Trail is a very steep hike and can be difficult as it winds up the mountainside. It is three miles long and goes all the way to an old prison camp site. During the rainy season there can be some waterfalls and the ridgetops have fantastic views of the city and surrounding mountains. The prison campsite is at the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Site which is right next to the highway. Round trip is about 6 miles but if you have more than one person and more than one vehicle you could park one at the trail head and one at the recreation site and drive back.
View from Soldier Trail of the Catalina Foothills and the Rincon Mountains in the distance
Redington Pass is a fantastic place to get away and relax. Hiking, four-wheeling, viewing wildlife and firearms shooting are common here. There are some great short hikes going from the road down to the creek which runs most of the year. They are somewhat steep but quite short, varying from 3/4 to 1 1/2 miles. Tanque Verde Falls is a large waterfall in this area. The rocks around the waterfall are very slippery and can be extremely dangerous. To get here, take Tanque Verde Road east. It will turn into Redington Road. Redington Road eventually becomes a dirt road as it heads up into the hills of Redington Pass. I have heard that the area above Tanque Verde Falls is frequented by nudists so I avoid that area.
The creek that runs through Redington Pass
Agua Caliente Hill is a very strenuous hike and is 4.5 miles one way. I usually just do the first part if I don't have much time. The views on this hike are incredible and it has excellent vegetation. From the parking area the trail becomes very steep very quickly as it heads up the mountainside. From Tanque Verde and Soldier Trail go north to Fort Lowell, east (Fort Lowell turns into Camino Ancho) to Camino Remuda, north and east to Camino Cantil, north to parking area on right.
Agua Caliente Hill at sunset
If you're looking to buy or sell real estate in Tucson, I would love the opportunity to show what I can do for you. Please call me at 520-907-6760.
Greg McCown Century 21 1st American (520) 907-6760
Comments(4)