Wasson Peak via King Canyon and Hugh Norris Trails

There are many ways to hike up to Wasson Peak, some longer, some shorter, but this quick 8-mile loop is the most concise overview of the great scenery. This hike is correctly identified as moderate, especially when doing it in the average time of 4:14. I hiked it today in 2:30, and had a nice little workout. Passed a few Millennials and  Gen-Xers on the way up, and there were a gaggle of folks from Phoenix at the top. I hiked this loop counter-clockwise as recommended and ran into a few clockwise-hikers on the descent.

I hiked this same route in January of 2019 with my brother, Jon. He wasn't really in hiking shape, so we took it a little easier, finishing 20 minutes slower. In 2020, I had a similar time. Another route up I like is via the Sweetwater Trail, a hike Misty and I did in December 2022, and the year before with our pal Jack, from Quebec, with his friend Danny. That hike is considered a difficult hike, perhaps because it's over 9 miles; I beg to differ.

Nearing the junction with the Sweetwater Trail, which you see jutting off to the right.

Wasson Peak, which can only be seen from the last few switchbacks.

View from the summit.

Obligatory summit panorama pic.

I must say, 1:15 up for this much elevation

gain and distance, ain't too shabby for a 

post mid-sexagenarian.

Looking down at my trail.

Constant reminders I am in the Saguaro National Park West.

 

Douglas Spring Trail to Cow Head Saddle

Took advantage of the drop-dead gorgeous weather today for a nineteen-miler up to Cow Head Saddle and back. Misty and I hiked this same route last January in similar conditions: 40º at the trailhead at 7:30; 76º on the return by 3:00. Negligible wind except at the Saddle.

Saw surprisingly few people on the trail today, despite the great weather and it being a Saturday. There were four back-packers, which is unusual: two 40-something women heading to the Grass Shack camp site at 5,300 feet, and just beyond where we hiked today; and two millennials headed to Douglas Spring Camp Ground at 4,800 feet, where Misty and I had lunch. 

We were navigating off last year's AllTrails recording, so I felt compelled to also take the side trail to Bridal Wreath Falls (above), as I did last time. Misty felt no such compunction and continued on her way for me to catch her right before the parking lot. The Falls are the destination of most of trail goers on the Douglas Spring Trail here in Saguaro National Park East, because they're quite beautiful, and only a six-mile round-trip hike. Today, as expected, there were several visitors crowded among the boulders chatting, all of whom I managed to shoot around. The falls were a trickle compared to just two weeks ago, when I hiked solo to Douglas Spring Campground. 

The beautiful red-barked Manzanita was starting

to bloom.

We were trying to figure out if this outcropping of rocks represented the Cow Head...

...or if it was this hoodoo-esque formation. Misty was confidant it was this set of rocks, which really stretched the abilities of my iPhone's telephoto setting.

Cow Head Saddle. The trail continues on past the Saddle 1.4 miles to the Grass Shack camp site.
(Photo by Misty)

Blackett's Ridge With a Michigander

Today I introduced my friend (and fellow Copper Court Casita’s denizen) Jack Byers to the short but wonderful Blackett's Ridge hike in Sabino Canyon. Jack is considering getting into Arizona hiking, and if today's hike is any indication, he's a natural.

This is no ordinary 6-mile hike. The first 1.3 miles is relatively low grade ambling; the final stretch, however, is a stair-stepper and where the majority of the 1,800 feet of elevation gain resides. Jack handled it with the aplomb of a veteran hiker—and in Levis and Vans!

Jack is a tradesman (Jack of all trades, if you will) from Baldwin, Michigan (home town of James Earl Jones) and is down in Arizona with his wife enjoying a little respite. Jack is an avid outdoorsman and was very eager to try hiking here in Tucson—a place I consider hiking paradise. I think he may be hooked.

Temps starting out at 8:30 were in the high thirties but we quickly warmed up as the rose as we did and  the temps rose another 20+ degrees by hike's end. The rather strenuous rapid ascent also warmed us up.

The hike starts out on the Phoneline Trail. The elevation gain doesn't really pick up until we hit the switchbacks on the Blackett's Ridge Trail in another ¾-mile or so.

Mount Lemmon peaking up behind Sabino Canyon.

The fifth and final false summit on this temptress trail.

Mr. Jack Byers who, unlike me, is fearless of heights.