Wasson Peak via King Canyon and Gould Mine Loop in Saguaro National Park, AZ

Hike Wasson Peak via King Canyon and Gould Mine Loop Saguaro National Park, AZ

Class 1 7.4 miles 1800 gain 3-5 hrs Loop Mar 11, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Wasson Peak via King Canyon and Gould Mine Loop GPX Track

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Wasson Peak is the high point of Saguaro National Park, and it has many trails that lead around the peak and to its summit. This is a nice loop hike that I think is a bit better than the Sweetwater Trail, which comes in from the east, but the terrain is very similar regardless of the trail you choose to do. This option has the benefit of making a loop. I started up the King Canyon Trail, which wanders through a ton of saguaro cacti as it makes a pretty direct push to the southeast ridge of Wasson Peak. The first bit is just an old dirt road converted to trail, and then past this not much really happens along the singletrack. Once on the southeast ridge and joining with the Sweetwater Trail, I headed along the more interesting and slightly more steep wiggly trail as it continued to the summit of Wasson Peak.

I backtracked from the summit and started down the west ridge along the Hugh Norris Trail. This led to a junction with the Sendero Esperanza Trail, which I took as it led south off the ridgeline and down to the Gould Mine. I picked up the Gould Mine Trail from here and followed it back to the trailhead.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Wasson Peak
4687 ft
2117 rise

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Starting from the trailhead, going right is King Canyon Trail, left is Gould Mine Trail.
Starting from the trailhead, going right is King Canyon Trail, left is Gould Mine Trail.
King Canyon Trail, Wasson Peak ahead.
King Canyon Trail, Wasson Peak ahead.
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Looking back the way I came, almost at the saddle before the ascent to Wasson Peak.
Looking back the way I came, almost at the saddle before the ascent to Wasson Peak.
From the saddle, looking up toward the false summit of Wasson Peak.
From the saddle, looking up toward the false summit of Wasson Peak.
False summit left, Wasson Peak right.
False summit left, Wasson Peak right.
Looking back along the trail.
Looking back along the trail.
Wasson Peak on the right.
Wasson Peak on the right.
Looking back the way I came.
Looking back the way I came.
Image 11 from gallery
Almost at the Wasson Peak summit, looking back (southwest).
Almost at the Wasson Peak summit, looking back (southwest).
Wasson Peak summit, looking north.
Wasson Peak summit, looking north.
After summit, this is as you start down the Hugh Norris Trail.
After summit, this is as you start down the Hugh Norris Trail.
 Hugh Norris Trail.
Hugh Norris Trail.
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 Hugh Norris Trail takes you just below the ridgeline.
Hugh Norris Trail takes you just below the ridgeline.
Continuing down the Sendero Esperanza Trail (translated to Hope Trail Trail?)
Continuing down the Sendero Esperanza Trail (translated to Hope Trail Trail?)
Gould Mine.
Gould Mine.
Gould Mine, looking down toward the Gould Mine Trail.
Gould Mine, looking down toward the Gould Mine Trail.
Gould Mine.
Gould Mine.
Gould Mine Trail.
Gould Mine Trail.
Back to the trailhead via the Gould Mine Trail.
Back to the trailhead via the Gould Mine Trail.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!