Name: Tucson Mts: Vertical Cliffs - Saguaro NP West
Start: 2025-11-23T10:00:00-07:00
End: 2025-11-23T13:00:00-07:00

*Welcome to Mike's Quiet Hikes*

• Mileage: 4.0 miles total
• Total elevation gain: 300'
• Rating: C/D - Beginner/Intermediate
(Some rough steep sections)
\*\*RESTRICTIONS: No guests, dogs, firearms, or tobacco/vaping
• Cell phones: **SILENT** during hike

*Use this Google maps link to find the trailhead parking, which is at a gate on the left side of the road.*
**[6190 W Belmont Rd - Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/place/6190+W+Belmont+Rd,+Tucson,+AZ+85743/@32.3231847,-111.0974115,349m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x86d5dff87c16eb17:0xae38568e1c29374!8m2!3d32.3231998!4d-111.0960527!5m1!1e4?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)**
See the location map in the photos section.
DO NOT block the gate. You may need to park along the side of the road.

The Route: ([AllTrails](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/activity-december-26-2023-5bf8aae?u=i&sh=ynoqqs))
We will start at the gas line gate and walk the short distance to the Vertical Cliffs Trail. We will then take a left onto a rocky and rough section of the Veterans Trail and hike down to the basin, passing the Animal Wash trail on the left, and then turning right onto the Abbington trail. We will follow the Abbington Trail to where it intersects the Vertical Cliffs Trail and then bear left down into the wash, where there is an old windmill pump and some very fine examples of [morteros](https://ancientfoods.wordpress.com/2011/03/09/ancient-grinding-holes-offer-hard-clues-to-past/).

Here we will break for a snack before walking back up out of the wash and turning left onto the Vertical Cliffs Trail. It is on this trail we will see a "baby" crested Saguaro.
We will continue on the Vertical Cliffs Trail to an unofficial left fork, which will take us close to the base of the trail's namesake, the Vertical Cliffs. We will then continue back to the trailhead.

**RSVP etiquette:**
• Sign up only if you really intend to come
• If you need to cancel, do so **BEFORE** the RSVP 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?
Cell: 304.290.8066
WV-Mike

**\*\*\*\* Please Read \*\*\*\***
As we are hiking, let's all try to keep our conversations \*\*\*only loud enough\*\*\* for those to whom we are directly speaking to hear.
Doing this will show our respect and consideration for other hikers who want to relax and enjoy the quiet space of our beautiful Sonoran Desert.
And we should all take a break from our conversations now and then and contribute to the peace and quiet of the hike.

WV-Mike

Betsy Breiding

The Tucson Hiking Meetup Group

Travel & Outdoor

Hiking

Outdoors

Camping

Fitness

Outdoor Fitness

Outdoor Adventures

New In Town

Social Networking

Adventure

Exercise

Wilderness Hiking

Women's Hiking

Social

Weekend Adventures

Walking

Tucson Mts: Vertical Cliffs - Saguaro NP West

Nature

Share

The Tucson Hiking Meetup Group

Tucson Mts: Vertical Cliffs - Saguaro NP West

The Tucson Hiking Meetup Group

Details

Members are also interested in