Out On Trail

 Where is Tucson Mountain Park? Tucson Mountain Park's Sarasota Trailhead is located approximately 20 minutes southwest of downtown Tucson, Arizona. Why visit Tucson Mountain Park? Tucson Mountain Park features over 62 miles of non-motorized shared use trails for hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers. At approximately 20,000 acres, it is one of the largest natural resource areas owned and managed by a local government in the United States! In addition to the trails, there are opportunities for picnicking and camping. There are many breathtaking views, including the Gates Pass Overlook, and the sunsets are sensational.  What should one expect on the trails at Tucson Mountain Park? The trails at Tucson Mountain Park are wide and well-marked. There is ample signage to direct you, and maps are often provided at trail junctions. It is possible to create a variety of routes from the many trails available. One example would be a 5-mile loop around Bobcat Ridge, utilizing the Sara...

  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 ...

I headed over the Starr Pass Trailhead late in the afternoon, after completing the nearby Hidden Canyon Bowen Trail Loop. I wish I would have had more time to explore this area and will definitely look to do so on my next trip to the Tucson area!   Where is the Starr Pass Trailhead? The Richard E. Genser Starr Pass Trailhead is located southwest of Tucson, on the edge of Tucson Mountain Park, approximately 15 minutes from downtown. The trailhead can be found behind the Starr Pass Golf Resort.  What should you expect on the trail? You will start out on the Starr Pass Trail, which winds around Mine Mountain. You can grab some pretty spectacular views of the Tucson area at the top; however, it's a bit of a scramble, as there is quite a bit of loose rock to contend with. Be careful with your footing, and move more slowly than normal, if necessary. The trail intersects with the Rock Wren Trail, which heads into Tucson Mountain Park and meets up with the Yetman Trail. Alternatively...

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 wat...