Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Overview
This trail starts from near the first parking area on General Hitchcock Highway, also
known locally as Mount Lemmon Road. The trail climbs steadily but has no very
steep sections, and the views of both the vegetation and the mountains are rewarding.
The waterfall at the end is dry for most of the year; try to get there early on August
mornings after the monsoons or in February and March during snowmelt to see water
flowing.
Route Details
Start by driving to the scenic vista and parking area named Babad Do'ag, which
means “Frog Mountain” in the Tohono O'odham language. Here, check out the panels
identifying some of the mountains on the horizon before you walk out of the parking
area and turn right (northeast). There is no sidewalk, so cross the road with care and
walk up about 100 yards to a sign misspelled “Babat Duag”; this is Trail #705. Climb
left from the road along an unclear trail for the first 50 yards—it's hard to follow,
but cast around and you'll soon find a trail paralleling the road below. After another
200-300 yards, the trail swings sharply left away from the road to the northwest, fol-
lowing a normally dry little stream bed, and then becomes quite clear for the rest of
the way.
You'll be treading on a mixed dirt, sand, and rock surface for which decent hiking
footwear is recommended to avoid a twisted ankle. Around you, prickly pear cacti,
ocotillos, and mesquite trees surround saguaros spread out on the hillside. This is al-
