Hiking After Work in Tucson, AZ [Hidden Canyon Bowen Trail Loop]

I set out, in the middle of the afternoon, towards the Hidden Canyon Bowen Trail Loop. I was able to fit this loop trail, as well as another short hike from a nearby trailhead, in before dark.


 

Where is the Hidden Canyon Bowen Trail Loop?

The trail is on the southwest side of Tucson, on the edge of Tucson Mountain Park. The trailhead may be a little tricky to find the first time you visit. It's located behind the JW Marriott Starr Pass property, and I had to travel through most of the resort to get there. I parked on the side of the road, next to the trailhead, and did not experience any issues.

What should you expect on the trail?

The trail is a relatively short two-mile loop. I only saw a couple of other hikers out on the trail when I visited in February. There isn't much elevation gain, which makes it suitable for most hikers. I would suggest choosing stable footwear, however, as there are some loose rocks and stones along the trail. I would also advise bringing enough water for the season, and temperatures, you will be hiking in.

While I did not encounter any, I'm told it's quite possible to encounter wildlife here. Deer and bobcats are known to frequent the area. There are a variety of cacti around the trail, and if you visit during the spring, you can see blooming saguaros and wildflowers. What I did encounter were pretty fantastic views, without having to work too hard, and without seeing many other hikers.

I finished this hike pretty quickly and had time to squeeze in another short hike before dark. If you are in the mood for a longer hike, you can head west on the Bowen Trail, to the Yetman Trail. You can also opt to move your vehicle to the Starr Pass Trailhead, which is what I did, and explore from there.Tucson Mountain Park offers around 60 miles of shared use non-motorized trails.



Is there a fee for hiking the Hidden Canyon Bowen Trail Loop?

No. Tucson Mountain Park does not charge admission, and I did not incur a fee for parking along the side of the road near the trailhead.

During what hours are the trail and/or trailhead available?

Most of the trails and trailheads in Tucson Mountain Park are accessible from dawn until dusk.  

 


 Check out the YouTube video!


 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hiking After Work in Tucson, Arizona - [Brown Mountain Trail]

Image
  Where is Brown Mountain located? Brown Mountain is located about 30 minutes west of downtown Tucson, Arizona. Brown Mountain and Brown Mountain Picnic Area, where the trailhead is located, are within Tucson Mountain Park. The trailhead is just south of Kinney Road, on McCain Loop Road. What should one expect when hiking Brown Mountain? The hike is approximately 4.8 miles round-trip. The trails are mostly rock and gravel, with some loose rock present. We would definitely recommend wearing appropriate hiking footwear when hiking at Brown Mountain. The trail is, however, well-marked and well-maintained. While the altitude is not breathtaking, at a maximum of 3,098 feet, it is high enough to provide great views of the surrounding area. There are plenty of views throughout the trail, as there are dual peaks, and a section of the trail is an exposed ridgeline. The views only require a modest effort, as there is only about 400 feet of elevation gain on the trail.  Tucson Mountain Park is g
Read more

Overnight Backpacking Loop in Virginia: Three Ridges Wilderness

Image
  Where is the Three Ridges Wilderness? The Three Ridges Wilderness is located in Virginia's George Washington National Forest, about 30 miles southwest of Charlottesville. There is parking at Reids Gap (at the intersection of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Virginia 664). It's also possible to start from the Appalachian Trail trailhead at Tye River. Why visit the Three Ridges Wilderness? The Appalachian Trail (AT) runs through the Three Ridges Wilderness, which is reason enough to visit. This loop features some spectacular views along the AT and a series of waterfalls and pools on the Mau-Har side of the loop.  What should one expect on the trails in the Three Ridges Wilderness? If you are not accustomed to hiking in the mountains, this will be a strenuous hike. If you are, this will probably be a moderate hike. The trails are rocky and uneven in many places, so be sure to wear proper footwear and watch where you place your feet. Much of the hike is spent ascending or descending
Read more

White Mountains - Day 4 [Franconia Brook Trail]

Image
Despite the rain and strong winds overnight, we had slept soundly and for many hours. As we ate breakfast, we thought about the first foods we would eat once we emerged from the forest. When we began our final day of hiking, only about eight miles separated us from our original starting point.    The brooks, which we would have to cross a few times over the course of the day, were swollen from the previous day's rain. We marveled at the sheer power of the water crashing over the rocks as we left the campsite. Further down the trail, we passed through an area that was somewhat flooded out, due to the combination of precipitation and beaver activity.      While much of the second half of the trip was wet, the sun reappeared to lift our spirits as we hiked towards the finish. As we neared the Lincoln Woods Trail, we began to encounter other hikers more frequently. As we officially exited the Pemigewasset Wilderness, we stopped to chat with a group who had spent the night at Guyot Camp
Read more