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Rocky trails, sandy washes, towering saguaros, and plenty of Sonoran Desert wildlife.


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Map Key

3.2

Miles

5.2

KM

76%

Runnable

4,588' 1,398 m

High

2,919' 890 m

Low

1,740' 530 m

Up

71' 22 m

Down

11%

Avg Grade (6°)

28%

Max Grade (16°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Cave · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This trail is open year-round. June through September are normally too hot to run during the day.

Runner Notes

Sections of this trail are covered in loose rock. Watch your footing.

Description

The King Canyon Trailhead is located directly across from the Sonoran Desert Museum in a large parking lot.

From here you have two options: start up the gravel covered jeep trail or drop down into the wash. If you choose the wash expect some scrambling up old cement barriers- remnants of the days of a more developed area.

After about a mile the two paths converge and Sendero Esperanza trail and Mam-A-Gah picnic area will be on your left. Mam-A-Gah is a covered area with several picnic tables. This is a great place to stop and have lunch! At this junction keep heading North-East to continue on King Canyon Trail.

The trail continues to climb for another 1.5 miles before reaching the ridge that joins with Sweetwater Trail. From here head North-West up a series a steep switchbacks. During this time be on the lookout for bat sanctuaries! You can normally see bats here at dusk. A mile later the trail ends at the junction with Hugh Norris Trail and Wasson Peak Trail.

Flora & Fauna

Bats at dusk, watch out for snakes!

Contacts

Shared By:

Austin Thomas

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 16 votes

#6886

Overall
  4.2 from 16 votes
5 Star
31%
4 Star
56%
3 Star
13%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#171

in Arizona

#6,886

Overall
69 Views Last Month
3,451 Since May 5, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
6%
75%
13%
6%
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Photos

View west from the saddle below Wasson Peak
Mar 28, 2018 near Tucson…, AZ
Looking out over Avra Valley with Sierrita Mountains in the (middle) distance. On the far right you can make out Baboquivari.
Sep 12, 2016 near Tucson…, AZ
Tucson Mountain from the King Canyon Trail
May 5, 2015 near Tucson…, AZ
First descent on the Hugh Norris
Jul 3, 2020 near Tucson…, AZ
Saddle before heading up to Wasson Peak.
Aug 2, 2017 near Tucson…, AZ
Cacti blossoms over Tucson.
May 5, 2015 near Tucson…, AZ

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 32 days ago
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