We wanted to up our game and spend more of the day out. We did both admirably. We drove to the edge of Saguaro National Park’s western mountain district (somewhat beyond, but not by a lot, Tucson Mountain Park) and reached the trailhead around 09:20. This morning it actually felt like the recorded temperature. The air was cool and a breeze was blowing. It was enough to cause even me to put on a windshirt. Within a half-mile or so we were all shedding a layer as we had warmed up and the wind wasn’t really a factor on hte southern facing slopes (think that is right) we were gradually ascending.
The Gould Mine Trail takes us past the remnants of the Gould Mine. The mine was started in 1906 by H. Gould and though it remained open for nearly fifty years the H. Gould Mining company went bankrupt after only extracting 45,000 pounds of copper valued at $9,000 which was far less than the cost to run the mine and search for ore (learn more here). We gradually climbed the Gould Trail along its moderately stony tread.In the distance we could see what we think was an old air shaft. I understand the mine extended for a couple of miles at least 200 feet underground so I expect there are more air shafts than we saw.
We left the Gould Trail and the climbing got steeper as we began our trek on the Esperanza Trail. The views are spectacular but stark. The mountains are shades of brown with enough green to notice but not so much to ever cause you to confuse them with lush forests of places that get more than a few scant inches of rain per year. Here it is Saguaro Cactus marching across the slopes, mixed in are occotillo, pallo verde, prickly pear, cholla, staghorn, and no doubt much more. Today the staghorn would prove my nemesis. They look harmless enough, dark and low and woody but bunches of thorns grow on the branches and they are sharp. It is easy to brush by them and get poked and if unlucky impaled by a thorn that I am pretty sure has a barb to keep it in place under your skin. No joy. But the views are great.
We climbed steadily along a stony path past remains of what is referred to as a powder house. All that remains are some parts of walls. This is where miners would store dynamite. A little further on we came to the main shaft. It is now covered with a great steel grate cemented into the ground and surrounded by fencing. We paused for a break and to chat with a couple people before moving on and ever upward.
When we finally reached the intersection with the Hugh Norris Trail it was definitely time for a longer break. Views on both sides of the mountains were expansive and the spot we chose to sit was out of the wind which was nice. Once we left our spot we quickly noticed that wind striking the norhtern slopes were were now ascending. I won’t go as far as to say it was chilly but it was cool. Up we went. THe footing was sandy and therefore gentler on our feet. Along the way we came upon a five-person trail crew (3 women, two men) who I believe were working to improve erosion control features including drains and water bars. Hard work to be sure.
By 12:30 we reached the junction with the 0.3 mile trail that leads out to the nob of stone (over a couple other bumps) that is Wasson Peak. We have been there before and did not feel any need to visit to the peak this time. We settled in for a leisurely lunch in a slightly sheltered spot amongst the rocks just off the trail. As we ate several hikers and a couple of trail runners passed on by.
I had a suspicion that the initial climb from the trail junction of our lunch spot to the next trail junction would be a pain. It was. Mom zoomed on ahead while Dad and I plodded down the Sweetwater (I think) Trail. It is stony, full of steps, and steep. The switchbacks certainly help but it took close on 50 minutes (with some breaks) for Dad and I to descend the 0.9 miles dropping about 700 feet in elevation. Along the way we met a second trail crew working to improve the trail. When we finally caught up to Mom we learned she had been waiting for a good 15-20 minutes. What a slog. The views are great but it is hard going.
We continued along the Kings Canyon Trail. The stones did not abate but the number of great steps did, so going was certainly better. Not great, just less tiresome. Now and then relief in the form of a level stretch perhaps through a wash would buoy ur spirits but it never lasted long. Proper relief came when we reached the Mahagah Picnic Area. We lacked the desire and energy to walk the 0.1 miles uphill to the pavilion where tables and benches await the weary hiker. THe boulders we settled upon were good enough for a break. It was here we made the daring, for us, decision to strike out along the desert wash for the parking lot. We had heard from others that this was a viable option and we decided to take it.
Two years ago we had started to take the wash and when we reached a set of imposing rocks that dropped down many feet in a series of huge steps we turned back and took the Kings Canyon Trail out. This time we pushed on ahead. We all sat down and scooted ahead. Some of those steps were certainly of the sit-down-and-lower-yourself type. How the trail runner zipped through them so fast I do not know. I guess he just jumped down. No way. By this time we had attracted a group of other day hikers who had done shorter loops and while Mom and I forged ahead Dad stayed with them learning that two of them were from North Dakota. They were in the region for several weeks. Must feel incredibly warm compared to a typical North Dakotan winter.
The wash was easy going excpet when an occassional set of sometimes large rock ledges required us to work harder to get down. What a lovely change underfoot. I don’t know exactly how long it took us to navigate the final 0.7 miles but it sure felt fast compared to what we had been doing. It was a great way to end the loop and the hike.
Photos
Dad is standing in what remains of the powder house for the Gould Mine. The powder house is where miners stored dynamite.
--January 06, 2020 at 10:11:50. Tucson, AZ, United States
Ken. Stadning by the main shaft (not shown) of the Gould Mine. Photo by Jonathan.
--January 06, 2020 at 10:14:43. Tucson, AZ, United States
A typical view of of the mountains and valley below. Looking generally southwest.
--January 06, 2020 at 10:20:43. Tucson, AZ, United States
Just before lunch. Mom is a bit ahead checking out a possibly better spot for lunch that wouldn’t pan out.
--January 06, 2020 at 12:28:20. Tucson, AZ, United States
Stats
Total TIme: 6 hours and 32 minutes with 1 hour 22 minutes in breaks including a 30 minute lunch.
Total Distance: 7.25 miles with 1,660 feet of ascent and descent. The first 0.7 to 1.0 miles is pretty gentle and then the climbing gets steeper. The steepest descent happens in the first 0.9 miles from the lunch spot and the last 0.9 miles or so was in the wash so very gradual. The footing is stony especially on the Sweetwater and Kings Canyon Trails.
Weather: Sunny and clear. I think we had a high around 72 at the top but it felt quite pleassant. As we descended it got warmer but whether that was because it was warmer or the sun was baking us with pretty still air I can’t say.
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