Trails head to old mines in Saguaro NP

Gould Mine Trail

Saguaro National Park is loaded with relics and reminders of its mining past. A few of the better trails for seeing those old sights are:

Cactus Forest Trail
The 5.5-mile route located in the East Rincon Mountain district, with an elevation change of 250 feet, crosses through a flat desert cactus landscape and has turns that lead to several different trails including Cholla, Mica View, and Mesquite. This path gradually ascends and eventually reaches the north side of the Cactus Forest Drive after two miles. The route continues for 2.5 miles over slightly more uneven ground until reaching the south side of Freeman Road, which then descends for one mile back down into a dry wash below. The trail passes remains of two lime kilns used in the late 1800s; limestone, which occurs in the park in several places, was mined here to make mortar.

Gould Mine Trail
Day hikers can head to a relic of the early 1900s Arizona Copper Rush on the Gould Mine Trail. The 1.8-mile round trip hike sits in the park’s western Tucson Mountain district. It sports an elevation gain of just 300 feet. The trailhead is off of North Kinney Road just past the Red Rock Visitor Center. The colorful tailing pile – that is the rock the miners tossed away while mining – stand out just for their size. You can walk atop the pile, but stay away from the edges as they can give. A small stone cabin beside the trail also is interesting. This was an old powder house where dynamite was stored.

Ruiz Trail
The Ruiz Trail in Rincon Mountain (East) district offers an enjoyable and scenic 4.4-mile round trip hike with an elevation gain of 182 feet. Starting at the north end of Camino Loma Alta and accessible from either the Hope Camp Trail or North Coyote Wash Trail, hikers will ascend a ridge and be treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding desert landscape. Along the path, look out for saguaro cacti and other flora typical of the area that lend further interest to this trail. One lime kiln from the area’s mining days also can be seen along the trail.

Vertical Cliffs Short Loop
The Old Yuma Mine and stunning views await on this trail in the Tucson Mountain (West) district. With a distance of 2.6 miles, the loop offers a moderate challenge and beautiful desert scenery along the way. Access the trail by taking Belmont Road off of Silverbell Road.

Park trail explores Sonoran Desert flora

Day hikers can explore classic Sonoran Desert flora on the Cactus Forest Trail.

The trail runs 5 miles with 150 feet elevation change in Saguaro National Park’s Rincon Mountain (East) district.

To reach the trailhead, from Interstate 10 in Tucson exit onto East Speedway Boulevard and head east. Turn right/south onto Freeman Road then left/south onto Old Spanish Road. Next, enter the park by turning left/east onto Cactus Forest Drive. Park in the pullouts at the southern Cactus Forest Trailhead.

Starting in a mesquite grove, the path ventures northeast with a mountain rising in the distance. The trail is moderately wide and made of hardpacked dirt, perfect for walking or hiking.

Mesquite is among the most resourceful trees in the desert. These trees have incredibly long roots that can reach deep into the ground to find precious water, which is often scarce in these arid environments. Mesquites also are considered one of the few sources of fixed nitrogen in the desert biome. Throughout the spring and summer seasons, these hardy trees bloom with beautiful flowers, which eventually transform into their signature fruits, the pods. Depending on where they grow and the climate in which they thrive, mesquite trees can reach up to 26 feet tall.

An excellent mix of desert fauna can be found on the trail. While saguaro dominate other trails, this route is more representative of what the Sonoran Desert really is like. Many of the plants have needles and spines to keep animals from eating them.

Beaver tail cacti lines much of the trail. With pink- to rose-colored flowers and hundreds of flattened pads covered in spines, it stands out amongst the rugged landscape. This plant is actually a different species than the Engelman’s prickly pear cactus, which also is common at the national park.

Agave forms large rosettes of strong, fleshy leaves that fan out in all directions. At its flowering stage, a tall stem can grow up to 40 feet high from the center of the rosette. The stem bears a large number of short, tubular flowers and sometimes even vegetatively produced bulbils. After pollination/fertilization and subsequent fruit development, the original rosette dies.

You’ll also see barrel cactus, Engelman’s prickly pear cactus, and cholla along the trail. Saguaro grows here as well.

Upon coming to the wash, go straight/east. Heading left up the wash puts you on the Javelina West Wash Trail. The trail here is little rocky and washed out as ascending.

The terrain begins to roll. Eventually you’ll descend through a rocky wash then briefly climb out of it to a narrow path on a ridge overlooking it. There is much more saguaro on this section of the trail.

Watch for the 0.6-mile round trip Lime Falls Trail spur to a seasonal waterfall. It heads right/east and is worth taking during winter and early spring.

As you set foot onto Lime Falls Trail, you’ll immediately notice a small hill in front of you. Limestone from this very hill was once used in nearby kilns. As you continue along the trail, the terrain turns rockier and the vegetation more plentiful. It’s a welcome change in scenery. The increased biodiversity is a result of there being more water in the area.

As you near the seasonal falls, take a moment to rest and investigate the steep rock outcroppings around the falls. You be rewarded with a rare shady spot.

Returning to the Cactus Forest Trail, go right/north.

You’ll soon dip into a wash and ascend from it on a very narrow path. A nice vista of the wash with its rocky sides and surrounded by saguaro awaits on the other side.

With about a mile left in the hike, you’ll pass the remains of two lime kilns used in the 1800s through the early 1900s. It’s also the site of an early ranger station.

The trail ends at a parking lot on the other side of Cactus Forest Drive amid another mesquite grove. You either can hike back or arrange to have someone meet you there.

Other than the rock overhang on the spur, there’s no shade, so be sure to don sunscreen, sunglasses and sunhat and to bring plenty of water.

TRAIL MAP