Ho! Ho! Ho! Hike: King Canyon Saddle & Wasson Peak via the Sweetwater Trail

Carpooling required for this hike.

Length: 9.2 miles: Round Trip
Trail Head El: 2800'
Saddle El: 3840'
Peak El: 4687'
TOTAL Elevation Gain (AEG): 2100'
Rated: C - Intermediate (http://files.meetup.com/372195/Hike%20Rating%20Scale.pdf): Not suitable for beginners.
Restrictions: ** No Guests, dogs, firearms or tobacco**

This will be a leisurely paced hike. We will stop for short rest breaks if needed and also take time to enjoy the scenery and plants along the route. There is a route description and map here: https://goo.gl/mGDiS5

The Tucson basin is surrounded by five mountain ranges. On the west side are the Tucson Mountains (https://goo.gl/VAvTwG). The highest point in the Tucsons is Wasson Peak at 4687'. This peak was named for John Wasson who was, in the late 1800's, the first editor of the Tucson Citizen newspaper.

This hike starts at the at a paved, gated parking lot (https://goo.gl/rbnVX5) developed by Pima County Parks and Recreation (http://www.pima.gov/nrpr/).

Here the Sweetwater Trail begins and provides the only access to Wasson Peak from the east side of the Tucson Mountains. The entire hike is within the boundary of the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park (https://goo.gl/XPBLZq).

The Sweetwater Trail provides a steady ascent to the saddle where it intersects with the King Canyon Trail which is a popular route to Wasson Peak from the west side.
We will take a short break at the saddle to take in the views before continuing on to the Peak.

From the saddle it is a short, steep 1.2 mile hike up to the summit of Wasson Peak. From here there is a 360 degree view which is quite stunning.

Once at the peak we will take time for a leisurely lunch before returning back via the same route.

Be sure to bring adequate water and snacks.

RSVP etiquette:

• Sign up only if you really intend to come
• If you need to cancel, do so by the deadline
• If you change your mind take yourself off the Going or Wait list
• Please don't be a no-show; it forces us to wait unnecessarily, and might prevent someone on the wait list from attending.

As always - Hike at Your Own Risk

If you are new to the group please click on the links below and read them:
~ About the Tucson Hiking Meetup Group (https://goo.gl/tPJFiM)
~ Tucson Hiking Meetup Group - No Show Policy (https://goo.gl/K52bM1)
~Hike Rating Scale (https://goo.gl/ZzDBGG)

If you have questions or need to reach me you can send me and email using the message link on this page: https://goo.gl/cDpyN4

Call only if necessary: CELL - 304.290.8066