Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This Texas-based company has sold windmills since 1888 and continues to provide
ranchers and homesteaders with windmills designed to pump groundwater.
Returning from the windmill side trip, you'll continue southwest along the wash
bottom for 0.1 mile to a fork in the stream bed—here, take the right (west) fork. A
bit over 100 yards along, the stream bed narrows and the left (south) bank becomes a
15-foot-high earthen cliff. Here, look for the trail leaving the stream bed on the right
bank, heading northwest. There is no sign. Soon the Gila Monster Trail swings west,
and you continue for about 0.3 mile, looking for the pile of rocks marking the north
end of the Thunderbird Trail. (If you reach the sign for the Cactus Canyon Trail, you
missed the Thunderbird Trail.) Turn left (south) on the Thunderbird Trail and retrace
your footsteps along it to the parking area.
Nearby Attractions
The northern end of Saguaro National Park West has several more trails, such as the
Brittlebush, Ringtail, Mule Deer, Picture Rocks Wash, and Ironwood Trails, which
can be added to the loop I describe to make a longer day hike. Using a compass and
one of the maps listed in the introduction to this hike will give you opportunities to
explore further.
Directions
From downtown or midtown Tucson, drive west to I-10 and take the interstate north
to Exit 252 for Ruthrauff Road and Camino del Cerro Road. From this exit, turn left
(under the interstate) and drive west on Camino del Cerro Road for 5.6 miles to the
parking area. The last 2.6 miles are twisty, but you'll see signs for either Camino del
Cerro Road or Sweetwater Trail.
If you're driving from the Foothills north of Tucson, take Orange Grove Road
west to La Cholla Boulevard. Turn left (south) and drive 2 miles to Ruthrauff Road,
then turn right (west), drive 1 mile to I-10, and continue straight (west) on Camino
del Cerro Road, as described above.
