Family Niesen - Hiking

I took the chance to do some hiking in the middle of winter in conjunction with a work trip to Tucson, Arizona. Saturday I planned to hike to the top of Wasson Peak and Sunday do the Bear Canyon - Sabino Canyon Loop. Due to airline delays I did not get to bed in Tucson until 3am Saturday but that did not stop me to do the hikes as planned. Surprisingly the late night did not affect me as much as I have expected.

Hiking map

The drive to the trailhead itself was quite gorgeous. It was my first time in Arizona and the first time to see saguaro cactuses out in the wild. I definitely recommend taking the Gates Pass Road and Kinney Road to get to Hohokam Road. The last is a gravel road and the trail head is right where the gravel road becomes one way. The trailhead is well marked but parking might be tricky as it is quite limited. There is a sign-in/sign-out book at the trailhead (which I missed) and at the top of Wasson Peak.

The many steps at the beginning of the trail
Hugh Norris Trail
Me besides one of the many cactuses

The hike is quite easy, as the path is well prepared and easy to follow. The view is excellent from the start of the hike. For one the Saguaro cactuses don't block the view much and you hike along a ridge that provides unobstructive views of the surrounding.

Half way sign at the
Sandero Esperanza Trail
Saguaro cactus close up
On top of Wasson Peak with
Tucson in the background

The hike to the peak is 4.9 miles and you'll gain 2,000 feet hike to the top of the 4,687 feet tall Wasson Peak. I did the hike in about 4.5 hours but I didn't take long breaks and hiked fairly fast (fast for me at least). BTW, cell phone reception exists at most if not all of the trail. The trail to the Wasson Peak is part of the Hugh Norris Trail which extents further east through the Tucson Mountains.

Me and the rental car at Saguaro National Park West