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 Reporter |
Summary: As you climb to the summit of the highest peak in the Tucson Mountains, you will see an exceptional display of giant saguaro, prickly pear and barrel cacti, cholla, ocotillo, mesquite and palo verde. The first mile of the trail follows an old dirt road on the west side of the canyon. Soon the trail drops down and crosses the canyon near the intersection with the trail to the Mam-A-Gah picnic area, King Canyon trail turns right. A nearby sign indicates that the summit of Wasson Peak is only 2.6 miles away. From here a rocky trail continues to a ridgeline that splits the Tucson Mountains east and west; at this point you will catch your first views of the Tucson valley. Follow the trail to its intersection with the Hugh Norris trail. At this point the summit is visible and very much within your reach. Trailhead: From Tucson, follow Speedway over Gates Pass to its junction with Kinney Road. Turn right, follow Kinney until you reach the Sonora Desert Museum. Parking and trailhead are 0.1 miles from the museum entrance and across (North) the road. (Lat:32.2732 Lon:-111.14802) Trail Guides for Wasson Peak: King Canyon Trail: Hiking Arizona by Bruce Grubbs and Stewart Aitchision (The Globe Pequot Press) Tucson Hiking Guide by Betty Leavengood (Pruett Publishing Company) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Winter, User Groups: Hikers, Ranger Contact: Saguaro National Park, Tucson Mountain District Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Rob Brinkerhoff, who has posted 33 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 2 of 3 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by DaGenester on 12/20/2007 Ok, for me just about any cool hike is a favorite. :) I view this as a favorite. The views are really cool, and if you start your hike by going to look at the petroglyphs (a deviating trail off to the left, petroglyphs are about 1/2 mile in), then it's cool as well. The hike is a semi-strenuous one - especially since it was about 90 degrees when we went (not a wise move!). As others have said, take plenty of water. The views are awesome! When we made it to the top of the point, however, there was a nice swarm of wasps at the top. Weird, but they were there. So, just be sure you know whether you're allergic to wasps, too. May have been a freak thing, but they were there. My dos pesos... 
Reviewed by Brian & Norfa on 9/1/2007 This was an excellent hike. We did this on Sept. 1, 2007, and began the trail at 6:15 am at already 87 degrees. We humped it up in 2 hrs and 15 min., hung out for 15 min. at the top, ate, rested, and came back down in 1 hr. and 15 min. Total time 3 hrs. and 45 min. This hike has beautiful views of Saguaro Nat. Park, Tucson, and Avra Valley. We have also done the Hugh Norris which is a bit longer. The views from this trail are nicer. We did not see the petroglyphs, however, but had a look out for them.
Reviewed by First Wasson? on 5/30/2007 My name is James Claudius Wasson IV and I found this peak and hike during an internet search a few years ago while looking for references to my name. YES! a peak with my name?...OH, it had to be done! After leaving my "pregnant with twins wife" by the pool...I headed out with a friend (a trauma surgeon intern) for a spirited assult on "My" peak. We started at 7:00am (it was July) and finished around 11:00am (too embarrassed to share the temp). Took way to many pictures and lingered perhaps too long at the register book, trying to find out if I'm the first Wasson on Wasson Peak. No bother, great experience and would do it again...maybe with the twins...By the way, I hear there's a lake in Minnesota called... ;-)
Reviewed by TRP on 5/14/2007 This hike is right on but in the summer you will struggle to find shade so camelbacks times 2 is a good idea.
Reviewed by Howard on 4/16/2007 Hiked with my family. My wife and I each carried one of our children on our back (40 pounds for me, 20 for my wife). It took 4 hours round trip. The first mile or so of the hike has a wash with a trail on the right and on the left. We hiked in the wash on the way up (up to the deserted bathrooms, close to Mam-A-Gah area). We used the east trail on the way down. The trail is a little longer than the wash, but much easier and faster. We recommend the trail over the wash. Signs state that pets are not allowed -- too bad, wouldve been great with the dog. Beautiful desert scenery changes as elevation increases. We hiked in perfect temperature (65 degrees F), much hotter wouldve been too hot.
Reviewed by Kaz on 3/25/2007 Solid hike... good elevation change. Hiked in tennis shoes, but was wishing I had boots. Hiked in 70 degrees so temperature was perfect. On the hike down, we chose to hike in the river bed rather than the trail. Made for an interesting return journed with lots of large rocks to climb down. Total time was 3 hours.
Reviewed by Billy on 12/30/2006 I hiked this trail with tennis shoes, but would have been better off with boots. It's a pretty easy hike for those in good shape. I made it up and back in 2 hours, 15 minutes in the winter.
Reviewed by Karl on 12/27/2006 Very nice winter hike with spectacular views. It looks like it could be very hot in the summer months. I'd recommend boots with good ankle support as much of the trail is loose and rugged. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: Arizona Hiking, Arizona Trails, Arizona Hikes, Pima County Hiking, Pima County Trails, Pima County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||