Trail Accessibility Information (Tuscon Mountain District)
Belmont Loop
Length: 3.7 mi (5.8 km) Elevation gain: 201.3 ft (61.3 m) Elevation loss: 753 ft (229.5 m)
Enjoy a nice loop through the desert and amongst saguaros, taking you out to an old windmill and back. Starting at the North Belmont access point, the loop is made up of the Belmont, Vertical Cliffs, Abington, Veteran’s and Animal Wash trails. This trail is low use, in part because the parking lot is a small, dirt lot in a quiet neighborhood. You are most likely to encounter hikers, but equestrian users are also allowed to use this trail.
The typical grade, or slope, of the loop is 5.0% with a maximum of 26.4%. There are multiple short sections of trail where the grade exceeds 20%. The typical cross slope, or grade in the trail side-to-side, is 2.2% with a maximum of 14.5%.The typical width is 41 inches (103.9 centimeters) with a minimum of 24 inches (61 centimeters). The trail is mostly hard packed dirt, much like a decommissioned road, but a substantial section along a soft but wide wash. There are a handful of steep sections of trail, but only one rut more than 12 inches deep.The combination of trail width, lack of trail structures, and the low use make it a highly accessible trail. Unfortunately, as of February 2023, there is a board blocking entrance to the trail for adaptive devices at the trailhead.
Cactus Wren Loop
Length: 4.3 mi (6.9 km) Elevation Gain: 395 ft (120.4 m) Elevation Loss: 557.9 ft (170 km)
This trail takes you on a stroll through the relatively flat area near Picture Rocks, with a landscape dense with many different types of cacti, creosote and other shrubs. It takes you to Signal Hill, where petroglyphs are visible and there is signed information on the ancestral desert peoples. This loop is made from connecting the Cactus Wren, Stock Bypass and Manville trails. It starts at the Cactus Wren access point, which is an unmarked, dirt pull-out on the side of the road with a wide shoulder. You may come across other hikers and the occasional equestrian.
The typical grade, or slope, of the loop is 4.2% with a maximum of 29.2%. The typical cross slope, or grade in the trail side-to-side, is 2.1% with a maximum of 8.4%. Near the Cactus Wren access point, the trail is flat, sandy, and typically a narrow 24 inch trail. As the trail gets closer to Signal Hill the terrain gets more challenging. There is one short but steep section where the grade reaches nearly 30% and the rocky terrain creates uneven trail tread. There is also one set of steps on Stock Bypass near Signal Hill with multiple step heights of 10 inches. The typical width is 33 inches (83.4 centimeters) with a minimum of 24 inches (58.4 centimeters). The trail is a mix of firm and soft ground, about a third of the trail being sandy or in a wash, so the ability to navigate a soft terrain is a must.
Cam Boh Loop
Length: 4 mi (6.5 km) Elevation Gain: 451.4 ft (137.6 m) Elevation Loss: 280.6 ft (85.5 m)
This trail takes you through a part of the desert with stands of plentiful saguaros and stunning views of Panther Peak. It starts at the Cam-Boh trailhead and is comprised of the Cam Boh, Panther Peak Wash, and Roadrunner trails. Each trail that makes up the loop has a different feel to it: Cam Boh being technical with stair cases, Panther Peak Wash meandering at the base of Panther Peak, and Roadrunner trail being wide and flat. This trail is not a popular hiking trail but is favored by equestrian riders.
The typical grade, or slope, of the loop is 3.5% with a maximum of 16.9%. The typical cross slope, or grade in the trail side-to-side, is 2.1% with a maximum of 12.6%.The typical width is 36 inches (92.3 centimeters) with a minimum of 24 inches (61 centimeters). The trail is about half firm desert soil, and very soft sand.
Desert Discovery Trail
Length: 0.4 mi (0.6 km) Elevation Gain: 25.8 ft (7.86 m) Elevation Loss: 26.6 ft (8.1 m)
This short nature trail provides an excellent introduction to the Sonoran desert, featuring signage along the way providing insight into the surrounding ecosystem. This is the only trail constructed to ADA standards in the Tucson Mountain District. It is flat, wide and paved, as well as having a number of shaded ramadas to relax under. Saguaros abound and diverse desert flora make this a popular hiking trail, so you will likely run into other hikers as well as on-leash dogs.
The typical grade, or slope, of the loop is 2.7% with a maximum of 6.7%. The typical cross slope, or grade in the trail side-to-side, is 0.6% with a maximum of 2.0%.The width if the trail is 60 inches (152.4 centimeters). The trail is a hard-packed, paved surface accessible to mobility devices.
Gould Mine Trail
Length: 1.1 mi (1.8 km)
Elevation Gain: 95.9 ft (29.2 km)
Elevation Loss: 223.3 ft (67.8 km)
Find your way along a decommissioned road to a historic copper mine with colorful mine tailings, foundation of a cabin and scattered pieces of wood and ironwork. This hike starts at the King Canyon Trailhead, located just outside of the park boundary as a part of Tucson Mountain Park (Pima County land). There is one major wash crossing, so make sure you are careful to follow the route. This trail is often combined with parts of the King Canyon and Sendero Esperanza trails to create a 2.5 mile loop. It is a moderately used trail that is predominantly used for hikers.
The typical grade, or slope, of the loop is 5.5% with a maximum of 14.4%. The trail steadily climbs from the trailhead to the mine site, without having any steps. The typical cross slope, or grade in the trail side-to-side, is 2.3% with a maximum of 8.8%. The typical width is 33 inches (83 centimeters) with a minimum of 24 inches (61 centimeters). There is one gate within .1 miles of the parking lot which accommodates for 72 inches. The trail has several different tread types: most being firm desert ground, some sections consisting of loose gravel around the size of golf balls, and small sections with soft sand.
NPS Photo
King Canyon Trail
Length (one-way): 0.8 mi (1.4 km) Elevation gain: 47.1 ft (14.35 m) Elevation loss: 265.5 ft (80.9 m)
This trail follows an old roadbed into the heart of the Tucson Mountains, offering views of desert flora, Wasson Peak and Avra Valley to the west. This hike starts at the King Canyon trailhead, located just outside of the park boundary as a part of Tucson Mountain Park (Pima County land). It is a popular trail and you are likely to come across other hikers and may come across the occasional equestrian. The trail trends uphill and ends at a 4-way junction that offers many additional trails or loops.
The typical grade, or slope, of the loop is 7 % with a maximum of 15.7 %. The typical cross slope, or grade in the trail side-to-side, is 2.2 % with a maximum of 9.0 %.The typical width is 58 inches (147.5 centimeters) with a minimum of 12 inches (30.5 centimeters).
This old road is well graded and five feet wide except at the very beginning and end of the stretch of trail. The beginning of the trail presents a gate that has an opening of 36 inches and has a short series of natural rock steps with heights ranging from 6-12 inches. The tread consists of small, natural gravel interspersed with soil and rock. The last 200 feet of trail shrinks down to a mere 1-2 feet wide and presents steep, rocky tread.
Sendero Esperanza Trail
Length (one-way): 3.1 mi (5 km) Elevation gain: 615.2 ft (187.5 km) Elevation loss: 621.6 ft (189.5 km)
The trail moseys along in the cactus forest for most of the path with a brief steep, rocky trip to a ridgeline before dropping to a leisurely stroll on the other side. It offers stunning mountain views of the Tucson Mountains and is surrounded by saguaros and other desert flora. This trial starts at the Sendero Esperanza trailhead, located on Golden Gate road. Being a popular trail, you are likely to come across other hikers and may come across equestrians. This trail can be linked with many trails, hiked in sections, or completed as an out and back.
The typical grade, or slope, of the loop is 7.6% with a maximum of 21.5%. The typical cross slope, or grade in the trail side-to-side, is 2.3% with a maximum of 8.2%.The typical width is 33 inches (80.4 centimeters) with a minimum of 24 inches (61 centimeters).
The trail near the trailhead is wide and flat with some soft sandy patches. The stretch of trail that goes over the ridge is rocky and has a few staircases with no steps over 9 inches tall. There is one notable rut in this stretch and it mostly stays below 20% grade. The section of trail on the other side of the ridge is a decommissioned road that has filled in with rocks and plants over the years, but still presents a beautiful, easy trail. The stretch of trail coming out of King Canyon wash is steep and winding, consisting of golf ball sized rocks and naturally formed steps.
