Tucson Mts. - Wasson Peak via King Canyon

RSVPs open November 21, 2017 Tuesday @ 7:00am

Length 8.0 miles - round trip

Elevation gain 1800'

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

Rating: C - Intermediate

RESTRICTIONS: No dogs, firearms or tobacco

Duration: 5 hours +

NOTE: Links are in BOLD

CLICK HERE (https://www.google.com/maps/place/King+Canyon+Trail/@32.2465662,-111.1679485,727m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x86d5dec8763e9d03:0x61f2f6583e81ee3a!2s2022+N+Kinney+Rd,+Arizona!3b1!8m2!3d32.243455!4d-111.1629961!3m4!1s0x0:0xea3e046ecdd8561f!8m2!3d32.2474298!4d-111.167089?hl=en) for a map location of the King Canyon Trail head

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/0/d/2/600_456928882.jpeg

GO SLOW AND USE CAUTION when entering the parking lot. It has loose gravel and some deep ruts at the entrance.

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. We pass several morteros (https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortero_(utensilio)&prev=search) and some nice ancient Hohokam petroglyphs (https://www.nps.gov/sagu/learn/historyculture/petroglyphs.htm).

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/1/8/c/600_466005452.jpeg

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/1/9/1/600_466005457.jpeg

At mile one we will make a **brief ** stop to check out Mam-A-Gah, the old Civilian Conservation Corp (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilian_Conservation_Corps) picnic area with a ramada and now closed stone restrooms . It was built in the 1930s.
From the picnic area it is a steady,moderately steep climb to the saddle where it intersects with the Sweetwater trail.
At the saddle we will take a brief break, take in the views and then continue on up to Wasson Peak for snacks and socializing.

We will then return to the Trail Head via the Hugh Norris (http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=714) , Sendero-Esperanza (http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/Sendero_Esperanza_Trail_8520.asp) and Gould MineTrails (http://www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/saguaro/gould-mine-trail.html) 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)

Saguaro NP 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 trail head are 0.1 miles from the museum entrance and across (North) the road.

*** Look for pullout marker # K24. and the new sign for the trailhead***

If this parking lot is full, you can park in the Desert Museum parking lot and walk across Kinney Road to the trail head. (Lat:32.2732 Lon:-111.14802)

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 to spend the day.

I will meet you at the trail head parking lot. Look for a white car with the trunk lit up.
For questions or more info call me at: 304.290.8066

WV-Mike