Camino del Cerro Trailhead - Saguaro National Park West

GENERAL INFO:

Park Type: National Park

Special Features/Comments: This trail provides the only access to Wasson Peak from the eastern side. The parking area is on Pima County property and is maintained and operated by the county.

GETTING THERE:

pDriving Directions: The trail begins at the Camino del Cerro Trailhead parking area, which is at the end of El Camino del Cerro road (5 miles wester of Silverbell road). The road is fairly straight for a bout 2.5 miles, then becomes increasingly steeper and winding as it nears the trailhead. Don't be fooled by the sign at Tortolita road, 1.9 miles in, that says "Sweetwater Trail." That is the Sweetwater Reserve, another nice hiking area, but you are looking for the Camino del Cerro Trailhead.

TRAILS:

Trail Description: The Sweetwater Trail is a popular route to Wasson Peak, especially since it is the only trail to the peak available from the Tucson side of the mountains. The trail climbs 3.4 miles to a ridge where it ends at its junction with the King Canyon Trail. If you are heading for Wasson Peak, you will turn right onto King Canyon Trail at this point and follow steep switchbacks up 0.9 miles to the Hugh Norris Trail, then another 0.3 miles to the summit.

You can see Wasson Peak right in front of you as you begin the trail, but access to the peak is father south, so you have a lot of hiking to do. There is a trail register and a "wayside" information sign shortly after you enter the gate. At the fork you will come to, take the trail to the left- the Sweetwater Trail; the other is the Thunderbird Trail.

The trail unintuitively starts off going downhill, and you will dip into and out of several washes along the way, with stone steps conveniently installed on the down slopes. But fear not, you will be trending generally uphill. After about 2.5 miles, the trail traverses a rocky, vegetated ridge, overlooking a wash below that looks as though it might make for easier walking than the trail- but stick to the trail. At 3.4 miles you will meet the King Canyon Trail which has come upfrom the south from Kinney Road near the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum.

There is about a 950 foot difference in elevation between the trailhead and the saddle at the meeting of the King Canyon Trail.

Trail Surface: Unpaved

Trail Activities: Walking, Hiking, Birdwatching

Trail Difficulty: Moderate

Trail Layout: Linear

Trail Length: 5 to 10 miles

Trail Shade: Little or none

Trail Surface Type: Natural rock

Trail Slope: Moderate

Trail Width: 2-4 ft

OTHER:

Programming Available: Education/Ranger Programs, Junior Ranger Programs

Staffing & Safety: Employee/Ranger Present