Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Overview
The Thunderbird Trail is the handle of this lollipop-shaped route, and at its end you'll
do a loop along the attractively named Cactus Canyon, Coyote Pass, and Gila Mon-
ster Trails, which wind along valleys passing minor but scenic peaks. Along the way
are several closed historic mines—it's illegal and dangerous to enter them, but it's
thought-provoking to consider this part of the Southwest's heritage and wonder about
what life must have been like for pioneering miners attempting to make a living
without the conveniences of air-conditioning and cases of plastic bottles of water.
Other sights to look for are cristate saguaros, spring flowers, and a windmill.
Route Details
At the west end of the parking area, the trailhead has a sign for trails to Wasson Peak.
Walk west on a flat, rocky trail, soon passing a Saguaro National Park sign and a map
indicating the park boundary. At a trail register and signed T-junction 0.2 mile from
the parking area, turn right (northwest) onto the Thunderbird Trail.
The trail, rocky and wide enough for two, rises briefly, soon coming to its unex-
citing high point, and descends gently to a fork marked with a plain metal post. Per-
haps it was once a trail sign. (A very short side trail rises to your left and comes to the
first of many small mine shafts riddling the area.) The main trail continues north, then
northeast, descending and very rocky, soon passing another mine on the left. You're
now about 0.5 mile from the trailhead. Roughly 0.25 mile farther, you'll pass a rare
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