David Yetman 24

Today I wanted to share the joys of extended hikes (10 miles+) with my pal Jack Byers from Michigan. For this I could think of no better hike than the David Yetman Trail just a few miles west of downtown. I first hiked the Yetman almost exactly four years ago, on January 15, 2020 (just before the magic that would become the Covid pandemic). This easy-moderate 12.7 mile out-and-back hike is doable in 4 hours, if one keeps up a rigorous pace, and there is not a lot of climbing. It resides fully in the city’s Tucson Mountain Park, itself located in Saguaro National Park West, in the eponymous Tucson Mountains. The Tucsons are one of five primary mountain ranges surrounding the city that arguably make Tucson the hiking capital of the Western Hemisphere. The national park status of the area has kept the rapacious local developers at bay, and preserved a big park jam packed with the iconic Sonoran cactus and its various lesser brethren. It’s just a nice way to spend a morning, and what a beautiful day it was: 37° at the trailhead at 8:00 am, climbing to 69° for the day’s high, and little wind. 

We went early, expecting large holiday crowds, as this is a popular trailhead for the majority of visitors who only hike the 2.4 miles round trip to the historic and beautiful stone Bowen House ruins. Surprised that we were the first car parked in a lot that would be full four hours later.

On the Gates Pass side of the hike, we met a couple giddy Canadians, who were overjoyed in escaping the arctic cold and 50 centimeters of snow currently hammering Toronto. A few polite (sic) mountain bikers eased by in both directions, and a few families meandered by the final two miles, out enjoying their long holiday weekend. Most of these other hikers were heading to the Bowen ruins. 

Decent time considering we're two gabby hikers. About two minutes longer than the last, solo hike I took about a year ago (December 27, 2022). I am very impressed with Jack's hiking chops; he's a natural distance hiker.

Bowen House.

Bowen House.

Bowen House.

Bowen House.

Bowen House.

Bowen House.