King Canyon Trail - Saguaro National Park West

GENERAL INFO:

Park Type: National Park

Overall Size: Larger than a football field

ACTIVITIES/RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES:

Trails, Birdwatching

AMENITIES:

Additional Features: Visitor Center

Trash Cans: Yes

TRAILS:

Trail Description: The King Canyon Trail is 3.5 miles from its trailhead on Kinney Road to where it connects to the Hugh Norris Trail. There is an elevation gain of 1,785 feet. Most sources rate this hike as moderate, but it is somewhat steep in places and rocky throughout.

King (not King's) Canyon was named for a miner who lived and worked in this canyon in the early 20th Century. Beyond that, not much is known about him.

The trailhead for this hike is located two miles southeast of the Red Hills Visitor Center. There is a large gravel pullout in the County Park off Kinney Road, officially designated as "K-24," about 100 yards northwest of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum's entrance

At the north end of the parking area, the trail divides. The main trail courses to the right, following an old mining road along the side of the mountain. A footpath leads down into the canyon itself. This trail leads up the floor of the canyon, leading by turn through sandy and rocky soil, and clambering over or around rock terraces. The main trail is rocky and solid the whole way, up to where the two rejoin at 0.9 mile, steeper than the canyon trail.

The canyon trail descends from the parking area into the canyon bottom; upon reaching this, the trail splits (not real noticeably)- going left, back towards Kinney Road and across the wash will lead to the southern end of the Gould Mine Trail. Going right up the canyon, is the direction towards Wasson Peak.

In spring (February through early April) wildflowers may be seen on either trail, but there is a greater variety in the canyon, and it is the more advantageous route for seeing birds, butterflies, lizards, and other wildlife.

Several rock terraces cross the canyon. The first is rather steep and is more easily bypassed by a side trail. The others can be simply walked up, as the eroding rocks have formed almost perfect stair steps. Toward the junction of the trails, the last "terrace" is actually a man-made rock dame, constructed in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to slow the rate of rushing water during flash floods, and thus rate of soil erosion, at least theoretically. On the rock walls surrounding the wash below this dam you can see many Hohokam petroglyphs. Please help up protect these by not climbing on them, touching them, or otherwise disturbing them.

Above the dam, it is just a few hundred yards until this and the main trail merge. Here you should turn left, towards a no-longer-used stone restroom building at the foot of the hill. As you approach this, you will see a trail to the left that goes up the hill to the Mam-A-Gah ("deer dance") Picnic Area, and a trail to the right that is the main route. Shortly beyond that the trail splits again, the left branch becoming the Sendero Esperzanza trail, and the right being the continuation of King Canyon Trail.

The Mam-A-Gah Picnic Area, on top of the hill is an ideal spot to take a break or have a picnic with a view. Built in the 1930's by the CCC, and restored in the 1960's by the National Park Service, this facility has several tables and fireplaces (remember to bring your own charcoal; you can't gather wood in the park). There are no restroom facilities her, and trash should be packed out. The King Canyon Trail continues another 1.9 miles, climbing, sometimes steeply, to the junction with the Sweetwater Trail. Here the King Canyon Trail turns left, and ascends the mountain in a series of steep switchbacks 0.9 mile to the junction with the Hugh Norris Trail. From that point it is just 0.3 mile to the summit of Wasson Peak, the highest point in the Tucson Mountains at 4,687 feet elevation.

Returning from the peak, you will accomplish an approximately 7 miles round trip.

Trail Surface: Unpaved

Trail Activities: Hiking

Trail Difficulty: Difficult

Trail Layout: Linear

Trail Length: 1 to 5 miles

Trail Surface Type: Natural rock

Trail Slope: Steep

Trail Width: 2-4 ft

Trail Extras: Kiosk with trail maps, Benches/Rest Areas, Historic Sites

OTHER:

Programming Available: Education/Ranger Programs, Junior Ranger Programs

Park Information: Maps, Brochures, Information Kiosk

Staffing & Safety: Employee/Ranger Present

Open Space Shade: Little or None