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| The Valley View Overlook Trail heads up a ridge in a dense saguaro forest. |
to a vista of one of Arizona’s densest populations of saguaro cactus on the Valley
View Overlook Trail
near Tucson.
The 0.8-mile round trip trail sits in Saguaro National Park’s
The 0.8-mile round trip trail sits in Saguaro National Park’s
western Tucson
Mountain District. It’s
flat and can easily be traversed by children.
To reach the trailhead, from Interstate 10 in Tucson, exit onto West Ina Road and head west. At North Wade Road, turn left/south. When the road veers west, it naturally becomes West Picture Rocks Road and enters the park. Next, go left/south onto North Sandario Road then left/east onto North Kinney Road and finally left/east into Hohokam Road. A small parking lot is on the left.
The trail heads northwest form the lot with a slight descent into a wash. The Bajada Wash Trail uses the usually dry streambed for its track.
Continue straight/north on a gradual ascent to a ridge via stone steps.
Several desert plants can be spotted along the trail, including brittlebush, and buckhorn cholla, Engelmann’s prickly pear, hedgehog cacti, ocotillo, and the pencil cholla, to name just a few. And, of course, there are plenty of Saguaro cacti – probably more than you’ve ever seen before. Signs along the way point out the different flora.
At the next trail junction, go left/west. Heading straight/northeast puts you on the Wild Dog Trail, which runs along the ridge’s bottom.
The Valley View ascends up the side of the ridge in a fairly straight line.
Hikers can get close to the saguaros, many of which are right at the trail’s edge. You’ll feel small next to them, as dozens reach the height of three grown men.
At the ridge’s top is a bench from where you can enjoy fantastic views – a sea of saguaro in the views of Avra Valley to the south and Picacho Peak beyond it. You’re at about 2660 feet above sea level.
The summit also is fantastic spot for watching sunsets. Unlike the taller peaks, getting back to your vehicle in the dark will be much easier as well.
As the entire trail is unshaded, be sure to don sunscreen, sunglasses and sunhat when hiking it.
To reach the trailhead, from Interstate 10 in Tucson, exit onto West Ina Road and head west. At North Wade Road, turn left/south. When the road veers west, it naturally becomes West Picture Rocks Road and enters the park. Next, go left/south onto North Sandario Road then left/east onto North Kinney Road and finally left/east into Hohokam Road. A small parking lot is on the left.
The trail heads northwest form the lot with a slight descent into a wash. The Bajada Wash Trail uses the usually dry streambed for its track.
Continue straight/north on a gradual ascent to a ridge via stone steps.
Several desert plants can be spotted along the trail, including brittlebush, and buckhorn cholla, Engelmann’s prickly pear, hedgehog cacti, ocotillo, and the pencil cholla, to name just a few. And, of course, there are plenty of Saguaro cacti – probably more than you’ve ever seen before. Signs along the way point out the different flora.
At the next trail junction, go left/west. Heading straight/northeast puts you on the Wild Dog Trail, which runs along the ridge’s bottom.
The Valley View ascends up the side of the ridge in a fairly straight line.
Hikers can get close to the saguaros, many of which are right at the trail’s edge. You’ll feel small next to them, as dozens reach the height of three grown men.
At the ridge’s top is a bench from where you can enjoy fantastic views – a sea of saguaro in the views of Avra Valley to the south and Picacho Peak beyond it. You’re at about 2660 feet above sea level.
The summit also is fantastic spot for watching sunsets. Unlike the taller peaks, getting back to your vehicle in the dark will be much easier as well.
As the entire trail is unshaded, be sure to don sunscreen, sunglasses and sunhat when hiking it.
TOPO MAP
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| Valley View Overlook Trail. Click for larger version. |
