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!