Tanque Verde

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 3-18 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation: 3055 - ~7000 feet
Cellphone: 3-5 bars
Time: 1 hr. 45 mins. (for 3 mile hike)
Trailhead: Javelina Picnic Area
Fee: $15/vehicle
Attractions: Scenic views

The Tanque Verde Ridge trail is located in the Rincon Mountain Division of Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona. The trail begins at the Javelina Picnic Area where it quickly begins a most scenic climb that leads it up Tanque Verde Ridge. Although this post only follows the trail for its first mile and a half it can be continued all the way up to Tanque Verde Peak (7,049 feet). The Tanque Verde Ridge trail is connected to by several other trails that open up various backpacking opportunities in Saguaro National Park and the Rincon Mountains.

Hope Camp

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 5-7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
MTB Skill level:
Elevation: 3127 - 3299 feet
Cellphone: 2-5 bars
Time: 2 hrs. 30 mins.
Trailhead: Loma Alta
Fee: $15/vehicle
Attractions: Scenic desert ecology

The Hope Camp trail is located in the Rincon Mountain District of the Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona. The trail begins at the end of the Camino Loma Alta Road. From there it travels eastward along an old jeep trail where it is secluded behind the foothills that parallel the much higher Tanque Verde Ridge. The trail comes to an end at the park boundary about 3.6 miles away. Enroute it is connected to by the Ridge View, North Coyote Wash, Ruiz and Quilter trails. This post follows the Hope Camp trail to its junction with the Quilter trail.

Piestewa Peak/Summit Trail

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 2.6 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation: 1371 - 2608 feet
Cellphone: 3-5 bars
Time: 2 hrs.
Trailhead: 2701 E. Squaw Peak Dr.
Fee: none
Attractions: Scenic desert mountain hike

Piestewa Peak is located in the Piestewa Peak/Dreamy Draw area of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve in Phoenix, Arizona. The Summit trail is how hikers make their way, gaining over 1200 feet in elevation, from the lower valley to the top of Piestewa Peak which is the highest point in the park. Those that haven't been in the area for awhile may remember the mountain by its former name of Squaw Peak.

Penny Howe Trail

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 0.4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 1395 - 1424 feet
Cellphone: 3-5 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: 10600 N. 7th St.
Fee: none
Attractions: Wheelchair accessible interpretive trail

The Penny Howe trail is located in the North Mountain District of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve in Phoenix, Arizona. The barrier free trail loops through the North Mountain Park Picnic Area nestled at the base of North Mountain. The Penny Howe trail is an easy, family friendly, hike situated in a desert environment. The parks hours of operation are from 5am to 7pm.