Tucson Mts: Vertical Cliffs - Saguaro NP

• Total Dist: 5.0 mile lariat
• Total Elevation Gain: 500'

• Rated "C" Intermediate
  **RESTRICTIONS: No guests, dogs, firearms or tobacco
  Cell Phones: SILENT during hike
  Duration: 3-4 hours (+-)

Bring: water, food for snack/lunch, sun protection, hiking poles if needed.

TRAIL HEAD: 32.311667, -111.096194
• The trail head/parking location: https://goo.gl/dp32o6
• Route Map for Hike: https://bit.ly/2ZPa1sP
• Location Map with hiking route: https://goo.gl/8NYpd2
• GPX-KML files: https://goo.gl/AA5by8

The Hike:

These trails are in the far northeast corner of the Tucson Mt District of Saguaro National Park.

This hike starts out with a steep rocky descent of about 300' to the Animal Wash Trail. This wash (arroyo) walk is about 1 mile. We will see some really big Saguaros on this section as well as dense Palo Verde and Mesquite. You will get what I consider a rare chance to see moss covered rocks on the north side of the wash. Real moss, not Spike Moss.

When we exit the wash we will walk several hundred feet up a gas pipeline to the Vertical Cliffs Trail (VCT). From this trail section we will have sweeping views of a gorgeous chunk of Sonoran desert along with commanding views of the major peaks in the Tucson Mountain Range: Panther, Sombrero (Safford Peak) and Wasson Peaks. To the east the Catalina Mountains will be laid out before us.

As we hike west along the VCT, the trail's name sake will come into view, a low red rock cliff reminiscent of the Great Wall in the Tortolita Mts.

We will leave the VCT for a short walk up the Veteran's trail to get a better look at the cliff face. Here we will make a snack/lunch stop.

We will then walk the remaining segment of the VCT to the Abington Trail. This section has many more fine Saguaro and Barrel cacti.

When we approach the intersection of the VCT and Abington trails we will see a very nice open wash as well as a wind mill used for pumping water into a wildlife tank on the opposite side of the wash. We are now within spittin' distance of the Gila Monster Mine Trail.

We will then head east onto the Abington trail and back to our starting point.

RSVP etiquette:
• Sign up only if you really intend to come
• If you need to cancel, do so BEFORE the deadline so someone can get your spot
• If you change your mind take yourself off the Going or Wait list
• Please don't be a no-show

Be sure to bring adequate water, food, trekking poles, etc.
As always - Hike at Your Own Risk

Questions?
Email me: www.tinyurl.com/y3pz2gs9
Cell: 304.290.8066
WV-Mike