Tucson Mts: King Canyon/Gould Mine Trail Loop
Details
Welcome to Mike's Quiet Hikes
NOTE: Although rated as a BEGINNER hike, there are some very rough and rocky sections and some areas where downclimbing of canyon ledges is required.
Anytime you are on National Park property, you may be required to show the correct pass.
https://www.nps.gov/sagu/planyourvisit/fees.htm
•There is NO PARKING FEE for the King Canyon lot.
• Length: 3.0 miles total
• El gain 500'
*Rating: D - Beginner
**RESTRICTIONS: No guests, dogs, firearms or tobacco/vaping
• Cell phones SILENT during hike
This hike will be the REVERSE of the route stated below.
Click/tap here for a route map.
By RSVP-ing "Yes" to this event you are agreeing to hold the event host/organizer not liable for any personal injury, death or property damage that occurs during the event or in transit to and from the event.
This hike starts out in the King Canyon wash where we will stop and look at the interesting rock formations, vegetation, bedrock morteros and petroglyphs.
This 1 mile section is sandy with some gravel.
It requires a few short climbs up low ledges which are in the stream bed.
After our mile long meander up the wash, we will take a short spur trail up to the Mam-A-Gah picnic area, named after a Tohono O'odham Indian chief, where we will stop for a bit and take in the views to the west and the surrounding saguaro studded hill side.
Some sections of the trail are rough and rocky with loose rocks.
We will then continue on Sendero Esperanza trail (Hope Trail) to the Gould Mine trail where we will take a look at the mine site which includes the barricaded 375' (+-) deep shaft entrance and the stone powder house where explosives were stored.
There is an interesting NPS article about mining in the Tucson Mountains here: History of Mining in the Tucson Mountain District
After we depart the mine site, we will then make our way back down to the parking area via the Gould Mine Trail.
There is a history of the Gould mine here.
Trail Head location: https://tinyurl.com/y5jbk8mx
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.