Window Peak via Ventana Canyon in Coronado National Forest, AZ

Hike Window Peak via Ventana Canyon Coronado National Forest, AZ

Class 3 13.9 miles 4600 gain 5-7 hrs Out + Back Apr 1, 2016
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Window Peak via Ventana Canyon GPX Track

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Window Peak is one of the big peaks within the Santa Catalina Mountains outside Tucson, AZ. Its got some of the best views, plus a gorgeous natural arch. I set out along the Ventana Canyon Trail (Trail #98), introducing typical Sonoran Desert fare lower down, lots of saguaros and rocky cliffs on both sides. A few miles in the trail begins to ascend the west bank of the canyon and offers some excellent views south. It continues north within the canyon, leading almost to its head. From below you can see "The Window" hanging out along the ridge. As the trail ascends from the drainage and heads to the northwest ridge of Window Peak, it passes a junction with the Finger Rock Trail, continues west to Mount Kimball. Past this junction, the Ventana Canyon Trail becomes the The Esperero Trail as it ascends to the ridge,

Once along the ridge, the trail eases up for a bit as it wraps around rock outcroppings and directly to "The Window" itself, which serves as a delightful viewpoint to the west side of the Santa Catalinas. The trail continues along the base of some cliffs as it makes its way to Window Peak, approaching the summit from the southeast side. Nearly reaching the summit itself, the trail sort of ends where some short Class 3 scrambling is required to gain the summit block. Huge square boulders create a little maze for locating the true high point.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Window Peak
7468 ft
748 rise

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Starting along the Ventana Canyon Trail.
Starting along the Ventana Canyon Trail.
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Some nice cliffs within Ventana Canyon.
Some nice cliffs within Ventana Canyon.
The trail leaves the watercourse and ascends the west bank. This is a shot back into Ventana Canyon.
The trail leaves the watercourse and ascends the west bank. This is a shot back into Ventana Canyon.
Ascending a few hundred feet above and to the left of the watercourse.
Ascending a few hundred feet above and to the left of the watercourse.
Another shot back into Ventana Canyon.
Another shot back into Ventana Canyon.
The trail heads into the Ventana Canyon drainage again, now higher up.
The trail heads into the Ventana Canyon drainage again, now higher up.
Cool sculpted rock along the way.
Cool sculpted rock along the way.
And some nice trickling water.
And some nice trickling water.
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Continuing north within the drainage, or just next to it.
Continuing north within the drainage, or just next to it.
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The trail was in excellent shape for its duration. Here is only a few hundred feet from the ridge above.
The trail was in excellent shape for its duration. Here is only a few hundred feet from the ridge above.
"The Window", seen on the left. Window Peak seen on the right. The trail heads to The Window, then wraps around the south side of the peak, approaching the summit from the southeast (right side in this photo).
"The Window", seen on the left. Window Peak seen on the right. The trail heads to The Window, then wraps around the south side of the peak, approaching the summit from the southeast (right side in this photo).
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Steeper hiking after leaving the drainage, making my way up to the ridge. The Ventana Canyon Trail technically ends and now I'm following the Esperero Trail.
Steeper hiking after leaving the drainage, making my way up to the ridge. The Ventana Canyon Trail technically ends and now I'm following the Esperero Trail.
View into Tucson.
View into Tucson.
Approaching The Window as the trail hugs some cliffs.
Approaching The Window as the trail hugs some cliffs.
The Window.
The Window.
View toward Mount Kimball from The Window.
View toward Mount Kimball from The Window.
Gorgeous natural arch.
Gorgeous natural arch.
Close-up to the face of Mount Kimball.
Close-up to the face of Mount Kimball.
Another shot of The Window.
Another shot of The Window.
View back toward The Window as I continue along the Esperero Trail.
View back toward The Window as I continue along the Esperero Trail.
Wrapping around the south side of Window Peak.
Wrapping around the south side of Window Peak.
A view east as I approach the base of Window Peak.
A view east as I approach the base of Window Peak.
Window Peak's summit boulders.
Window Peak's summit boulders.
A short maze to find the high point.
A short maze to find the high point.
Class 3 leads to the summit of Window Peak.
Class 3 leads to the summit of Window Peak.
Window Peak summit, view west toward Mount Kimball.
Window Peak summit, view west toward Mount Kimball.
Window Peak summit, view northwest.
Window Peak summit, view northwest.
Image 34 from gallery

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!