Wildhorse to Douglas Springs Loop

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This loop is located close to the east side of Tucson with great views of the surrounding Rincon and Catalina mountains as well as the Tanque Verde area. There are also opportunities to see wildlife such as deer. The hike can be a little sandy in stretches early on, but overall this is a good, quick hike with many loop options and well-marked trail signs at every junction.

This route is slightly sandy in spots early on but it's shallow sand. The Douglas Springs trailhead can be crowded at least on weekends, and I think 90 percent of the people head up the Douglas Spring Trail. I saw or heard no one on any other part of the loop other than DS section.

Park at the Douglas Springs Trailhead and hike 100 yards west back to the horse trailer parking area. Starting at the horse trailer parking, head west at the first intersection for a short distance on the Shantz Trail which starts almost immediately after entering the park boundary.

Once on the Shantz Trail, you'll pass the a junction with the Bajada Wash on your left, but keep going until you come to the Kennedy Trail. Take a left on the Kennedy Trail, and head in a general southern direction. After a couple intersections, continue straight on the Squeeze Pen Trail for a short distance before taking a left on the Bajada Vista Trail.

The Bajada Vista Trail is a short route offering views of the Sonoran Desert. You'll continue to climb gradually until you come to an intersection with the Wildhorse Trail and the Garwood Trail. Continue on the Garwood Trail.

From this point, it is pretty much a gradual downhill until you hit the Douglas Springs Trail. Take a left and then it's just a short distance to the parking lot.

Creosote, saguaro and other cacti, wildflowers, desert scrub brush, and mesquite.