Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the trail flattens and then begins a gentle descent, at times paralleling the wire fence
of the nationalpark boundary.
You'll cross a small but steep little wash, which may have water flowing in it
briefly after a monsoon rain. Stone stairs guide you up the southern side of the wash,
which I'm guessing is the “Sweetwater” that the trail is named after—it's the largest
watercourse on the trail. (About 2 miles east of here, Pima County recently protected
more than 700 acres as the Sweetwater Preserve, where mountain biking and hiking
trails can be accessed from the southern end of Tortolita Road.)
Now the trail climbs steadily southwest, with the “Sweetwater” valley below and
to the right. Views open toward the north, with Wasson Peak on the western hori-
zon. The Sweetwater Trail ends at the 3,870-foot-high pass, where it enters the King
Canyon Trail. From the pass, the King Canyon Trail (see Nearby Attractions) winds
off down to the southwest, with the grounds of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
visible more than 2 miles away and more than 1,000 feet lower in the valley.
The pass provides good views but isn't much of a picnic spot if you're planning
to stop here and return. There are no convenient rocks to sit on, and you'll have to
picnic sitting on the dirt or standing up.
If you're ready to continue to Wasson Peak, 1.2 steeper miles farther, continue
west and then northwest along the King Canyon Trail, which climbs narrowly and
rockily from the pass. A sign indicates that this is a “Foot Trail Only—No Stock.” As
the inclination increases, the trail starts switchbacking and passes a closed-off mine
shaft about 0.7 mile above the pass. In another 0.2 mile, the King Canyon Trail inter-
sects the Hugh Norris Trail and turns right (northeast).
The final 0.3 mile is an easy ridge walk along the ending section of the Hugh
Norris Trail (see previous hike ) to the summit of Wasson Peak (4,687 feet). This is
the highest point in the Tucson Mountains, and while it's low compared with the oth-
er ranges surrounding the city, it affords exceptional views looking up and around
the horizon. A map and compass will help you identify some of the more prominent
peaks.
Nearby Attractions
The King Canyon Trail also reaches the 3,870-foot-high pass described above. The
trailhead for the King Canyon Trail is on the right (north) side of Kinney Road, 100
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