Tucson Mts. - Wasson Peak via King Canyon

The Basics:

Length 7.7 miles - out and back

Elevation gain 1800'

TH: 2880' Saddle: 3840' Peak: 4686'

Rating: C - Intermediate

No dogs permitted

NOTE: Links are in italics

King Canyon (http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=558) is an open canyon with many great views on the way up and down.
We will begin our hike with a ramble up the wash for 1 mile, skirting or climbing small ledges.
At mile one we will check out Mam-A-Gah, the old Civilian Conservation Corp picnic area with ramada and now closed stone restrooms . It was built in the 1930s.
From the picnic area it is a steady, relatively easy 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 continue on up to Wasson Peak to do more of the same.

We will then return to the TH via the Hugh Norris (http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=714) and Sendero-Esperanza (http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/Sendero_Esperanza_Trail_8520.asp) Trails to complete this loop.

Trail Maps and Info:

This image has the route highlighted (http://files.meetup.com/372195/DETAIL%20map%20-%20Tucson%20Mts%20-%20Wasson%20Peak%20via%20King%20Canyon.jpg)

Official Park NPS Map (http://files.meetup.com/372195/Day%20Hikes%20-%20Tucson%20Mt%20District%20-%20Saguaro%20NP.pdf)

Geology of the Tucson Mts (http://files.meetup.com/372195/Geology%20of%20the%20Tucson%20Mountains.pdf) (NPS)

Trails in the Tucson Mountain District (http://files.meetup.com/372195/Trails%20in%20the%20Tucson%20Mountain%20District.pdf) (NPS)

Trailhead: From Tucson, follow Speedway over Gates Pass to its junction with Kinney Road. Turn right, follow Kinney until you reach the Sonora Desert Museum. Parking and trailhead are 0.1 miles from the museum entrance and across (North) the road. If this parking lot is full, you can park in the Desert Museum parking lot and meet us at the trailhead. (Lat:32.2732 Lon:-111.14802) Google map to trailhead is here (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=211151916971589136864.0004b838e17cbefa4533a&msa=0&ll=32.290906,-111.046371&spn=0.14076,0.305901)

Carpool: There is very little parking at the trailhead, and carpooling is encouraged. The Walgreen's on the northwest corner of Grant/Oracle is a convenient meeting spot.

We will depart Walgreens for the trailhead at 10:30.
If you wish to meet us at the TH plan on being there by 11:00

Please Bring: 2+ liters of water, food for lunch, sun protection

If the hike is full, please sign up for the waiting list and hike at your own risk.

No rest rooms or water. Please come prepared

If you need to contact me my cell# is 304.290.8066

WV-Mike