With most of Betsy’s maintenance items out of the way, it was time to have some fun. At our happy hour Pam recited a list of trails to enjoy around Tucson, and we were geared up to go hiking with them again. Many of you know John and Pam of Oh the places they go are avid hikers whose boots have passed over hundreds (probably thousands) of miles of trails. We hiked with them last summer in Colorado and were looking forward to trekking with them again here in Tucson.
We initially chose two trails – Seven Falls Trail in Sabino/Bear Canyon, and the scenic Mt. Wasson Peak Trail at Saguaro National Park.
Seven Falls Trail, Sabino Canyon
The Seven Falls Trail is accessed via Bear Canyon Trail. The hike begins at the parking lot of Sabino Canyon Recreation Area in the eastern foothills of the Santa Catalina mountain range, northeast of Tucson. As the name implies, the reward at the end of this trail is Seven Falls where the water cascades down a steep ravine creating an enchanting sequence of falls and pools. We followed Bear Canyon Trail for about 2 miles and then continued a little more than 2 more miles to reach the falls.
When we settled on this hike we hadn’t considered the recent rain and snow. The trail crisscrossed over Sabino Creek seven times and the water was high, making our crossings quite challenging. At the first two we removed our boots and socks to wade across the frigid water. Fortunately John was prepared and brought a towel for everyone to dry their feet with – thanks, John!
John was our leader and he searched for drier crossings several times, but alas there were none. So after the second crossing we just gave up and our boots and socks were soaked the rest of the hike.
Other than the abundance of cacti and other Sonoran Desert plants, it felt like we were not in the desert as we enjoyed the sound of rushing water during most of the hike. After crossing the frigid water several times the trail rose up the side of Bear Canyon, then came back down to Seven Falls.
The exposed granitic rocks were quite a sight, crossed by mineral veins but slippery when wet.
At the end of the trail we were rewarded with the sights and sounds of the falls, and we relaxed for lunch next to one of the pools. Off came the boots and socks as we exposed our legs to the sun to warm them back up.
The return trip was much shorter as we gave up on trying to stay dry and just plowed across the water crossings. Our legs were double-tired after 8+ miles of hiking with heavy, wet boots. But despite the minor inconvenience it was a great day!
Mt. Wasson Peak, Saguaro National Park
The second hike John and Pam led us on was to the top of Wasson Peak. Mt. Wasson is located 15 miles west of the city in the Tucson Mountain Range, and is the highest point in the west unit of Saguaro National Park. They had hiked this trail before, and due to the excellent views at the top they were happy to repeat the trek with us. It’s a great way to experience Saguaro National Park and the Sonoran Desert.
There are several trails leading to the summit, and we chose to follow the King Canyon, Hugh Norris and Sendero Esperanza trails, then we looped back around to the Gould Mine Trail to give us a 7.8 mile workout. The trails are all within the Saguaro National Park, and we walked amidst the Sonoran Desert ecosystem with full displays of giant Saguaro, Prickly Pear, Barrel Cactus and Cholla, to name just a few.
Pam has great interest in Crested Saguaros and she tries to see as many as she can when in Arizona. If you don’t know, a Crested Saguaro is one where the growing tip produces a fan-like form referred to a crest or cristate. They are very rare, but Pam spotted one with her eagle-eyes on this hike. If you’d like to see more of her Crested Saguaro photos click here.
This trail is moderate with some rocky and steep sections, and we followed several switchbacks as we approached the peak.
A history tidbit: Wasson Peak is named in honor of John Wasson, the first editor of the Tucson Citizen newspaper in the late 1800’s.
This hike is definitely worth doing. The view of the valley, surrounding mountains and Tucson is spectacular from the peak. Because of its accessibility and outstanding views we met several other hikers on this trail.
We also came across some desert blooms:
What do you do after a long and rewarding hike? Have mexican food! Dave and Sue joined us that evening for dinner at El Charro, one of the oldest Mexican restaurants in Tucson.
Lowes Travels 
How fun to see four of our favorite hikers together on the trails! 🙂 I think we have the same photo on top of Wasson Peak with Pam and John when we hiked it last winter with them. We’ve hiked in Sabino Canyon, but not the Seven Falls trail. It looks beautiful — and challenging with all the water crossings! I’m sure dinner was a blast with Sue and Dave joining the party. 🙂
You two are missing on these photo ops. Would it not be nice if we can hike all together!
We missed Seven Falls Trail, but we love Sabino Canyon. We will hopefully be back in that area next winter and will be sure to do this trail. John is always thinking…lol
Mt. Wasson Peak, Saguaro National Park, is an awesome hike. The photo of y’all at the top is gorgeous!
We missed the Seven Falls too the last time, we were glad John and Pam were interested in re hiking it.We all enjoyed our adventures, its fun hiking with them, avid hikers 🙂
Absolutely beautiful! I don’t what happened Mona you drooped off my daily updates somehow, I’ve missed so many of your adventures….will have to spend some time tonight catching up.
Oh oh, not sure why my post got dropped off from your updates. Sometimes email engine just spammed a bunch of messages. But glad you are catching up again.
Looks like some great hiking with friends. I don’t think I’d like all the cold water crossings. I think I’d join Sue and engage in the dining and leave the hiking to the diehards 🙂
I did protect my little camera from those frigid crossings. You would be smart joining with Sue and waited for us, those crossing were brutal.
Saguaro National Park is one of our favorite places in that area and love hiking it. The water crossings looked a little chilly but definitely worth it!
It was beyond chilly, it was frigid, thankfully we survived those crossings.
I’m amazed to see so much water in Arizona on that first hike. Or maybe I’m just not familiar with Tucson. Hiking with wet boots is a real drag but it sure looks like a great hike. Love all the cactus on your second hike. Not sure there is a hike where Pam doesn’t find a crested. Envying you having them as your guides. Really great pictures Mona Liza. That one of the High Norris trail looks like a painting. What program are you using to do your arrows with text. I obviously need to upgrade.
It was a drag Sherry, for 7 miles! The Hugh Norris Trail was my favorite of the trails we chose for the loop, it appeared the landscaper did a great job with all the cacti planted and positioned perfectly. Im using Preview, an Apple app, to use for my text and arrows on photos.
Awesome hikes with special friends:) Dinner certainly was yummy:)
We will definitely be checking out Mt. Watson Peak…we haven’t done that trail. Can’t wait to see those beautiful saguaro again!
I loved the Seven Falls Ike…one of my favorites there, but when we did it the water was only ankle deep. Cold wet feet are no fun and that’s a lot of crossings!
Looking forward to your arrival. We are at 1332.
So beautiful there! The Crested Saguaro is fantastic, and that Mexican food looks so delicious. 🙂
The tamales looked and tasted delicious!
Fun, fun, fun! Wish we were there!
Yup, we wished you were too. Hope things are under control at your end.
Screw hoping to hike with Mona and Steve, I’d like to hike with Pam and John. (Just joking, Mona) I’m just going to be intimidate, they seem like real pros! But seriously, the boy-score t readiness, the willingness, and the generosity. You really are in good hands…. and feet. 🙂
Hey, we should talk you hiking, Rommel!
Looks like you’ve had a wonderful time in Tuscon. One of these days we’ll be back to Tuscon and hope to get some of those hikes in. Nice to see the desert starting to bloom in other areas.
We took the Seven Falls hike after reading your blog and enjoyed it very much. The stream was lower and easier to cross. Thanks for telling us about the trails.