Saguaro Trail

Dogs

E-Bikes Unknown

A mile of easy flat cruising takes you in deep amongst the namesake Suguaro cacti (plus barrel, prickly pear, cholla, ocotillo, and many others) and through a couple of washes.

Once you reach the intersection with Saddle Trail a short but tough climb begins. It seems like most of the climbing is over once you reach the next intersection with Twisted Sister, but the trail throws just a little more climbing a couple of switchbacks at you before you've gained the summit. There are three abandoned mines along the trail on or near the summit to check out in case you need a breather. You can get a couple feet into the shaft on at least one of them.

There's some exposure in this section of the trail, but you have the best view of Red (McDowell) Mountain probably in the whole trail network from this little summit. The Salt River basin also opens up in front of you with Four Peaks (Browns Peak) and the wild Tonto National Forest in the background.

The descent from the summit is longer than the ascent and somewhat technical with some switchbacks. One of the switchbacks features a chute with loose rocks and is significantly more difficult than the others, so be on the lookout for this if it's your first trip. The trail bottoms out in a wash near a trailhead on Bush Highway.

After the wash Saguaro Trail continues a short distance until it ends at Granite Trail #54.