Valentines in the Tucson Mountains: King Canyon Loop

Length: 5.5 miles round trip
El gain 1000'
Start: 2880' Saddle: 3840'
*Rating: C - Intermediate
**No dogs allowed in King Canyon

Carpooling:
The trail head lot is on the small side and carpooling is encouraged.
The Walgreen's on the northwest corner of Grant/Oracle is a convenient meeting spot to carpool from.

DEPART the Walgreen's (https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=211151916971589136864.0004d2dd9113a13742148&msa=0) at 10:00.

A route map to the trail head from Walgreens is here (https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=211151916971589136864.0004d51082bdd127b1986&msa=0&ll=32.248232,-111.071777&spn=0.152731,0.308647).
If you drive to the trail head (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=king+canyon+trailhead&hl=en&ll=32.245565,-111.163681&spn=0.009546,0.01929&fb=1&gl=us&hq=king+canyon+trailhead&hnear=0x86d665410b2ced2b:0x73c32d384d16c715,Tucson,+AZ&cid=0,0,15229214233219659549&t=m&z=16), plan on being there at 10:30 AM.

I will meet you at the trail head parking lot.
For questions or more info call me at: 304.290.8066

The Hike:
King Canyon is in the West (Tucson Mountain) District of Saguaro National Park (http://www.nps.gov/sagu/planyourvisit/things2do.htm).

In 1917 the Copper King Mine was developed in the canyon and the trail up the canyon now bears it's name.
This is an open canyon many great views on the way up and down.

We will begin our leisurely hike with a ramble up the wash for 1 mile, skirting or climbing small ledges. One the way up the wash we will stop and look at the ancient Hohokam petroglyphs and morteros.

At mile one we will detour up a slight rise past the old and now closed stone restrooms,walk through the Cholla Gate and check out Mam-A-Gah; the old Civilian Conservation Corp picnic area which has a ramada made from local stone and Saguaro skeletons. It was built in the 1930s and displays classic CCC workmanship.
From the picnic area it is a relatively easy, steady uphill hike up to the saddle where it intersects with the Sweetwater trail.
At the saddle we will rest and snack, take in the views and then return via an old road bed which skirts the opposite side of the canyon. The road ends in the wash near the Mam-A-Gahpicnic area. After walking the wash fora short distance we will then pick up the old road again which ends at the parking area.

TRAIL MAP:
West (Tucson Mountain) District of Saguaro NP with King Canyon Loop Trail highlighted (http://files.meetup.com/372195/King%20Canyon%20Loop.pdf)

Be sure to bring adequate water and snacks.
As always - Hike at Your Own Risk
If you are new to the group please read these:

About the Tucson Hiking Meetup Group (https://www.meetup.com/tucsonhiking/about/)
Tucson Hiking Meetup Group - No Show Policy (http://files.meetup.com/372195/No%20Show%20Policy.pdf)
Tips for Beginning Hikers - Sierra Club (http://arizona.sierraclub.org/trail_guide/index.htm)
Hike Rating Scale (http://files.meetup.com/372195/Hike%20Rating%20Scale.pdf)

If you need to contact me my cell# is 304.290.8066