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| Ernie's Falls |
Here are a few great hikes to see those interesting rock formations.
Douglas Spring Trail to Bridal Wreath Falls Trail and Ernie’s Falls Trail
If you’re on the hunt for a scenic hike that includes picturesque waterfalls, then the Douglas Spring Trail is a must-see. This hike boasts two beautiful waterfalls, Ernie’s Falls and Bridal Wreath Falls. After heavy rainfall or snowmelt, several other waterfalls can be seen from the water flowing down the Rincon Mountain. Bridal Wreath Falls is the more popular end point for hikers, and it’s well worth the 5.6-mile round trip. To reach the trailhead, from Interstate 10 in Tucson take East Speedway Boulevard east. Outside of town, the road dead ends at the trailhead.
Javelina Rocks Walkabout
Day hikers can scramble over boulders more than a half-billion years old at Javelina Rocks. There’s no official trail at the rock formation, but several narrow paths circle five large rock outcroppings. You easily can put on a half-mile of walking at the sight in the park’s eastern Rincon Mountain 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. The park’s eight-mile road eventually becomes a one-way. A parking pullout for Javelina Rocks is between the six and seven mile markers. The outcroppings are Santa Catalina gneiss, formed some 541 million years ago when a tectonic plate begin to split apart. As it did, land heading in one direction slipped downward at an angle against the plate moving in the other direction. This friction resulted in high temperatures and pressures that created the gneiss deep underground.
Pink Hill Trail
A 3.4-mile round trip located in the Rincon Mountain District, the trail is easily accessed from the Broadway Trailhead. Taking the Shantz Trail east for 0.4 miles will lead to the signed intersection with Pink Hill Trail where hiking begins along an undulating path through Javelina, Loma Verde and Monument washes. At roughly 40-50 feet above the surrounding desert, tourists also can observe Pink Hill and its peculiar rust-colored sides (not pink as some have suggested). The Hill earned its alternate name of Coffee Pot Hill when local cowhands found it a convenient place to pause and drink coffee while keeping watch on their cattle below.
Wildhorse Trail
The Wildhorse Trail in the Rincon Mountain (East) district is a popular destination for hikers looking for an easy and rewarding trek. Starting from only 100 yards west of the Douglas Spring Trailhead on East Speedway Boulevard, this scenic journey passes through gorgeous landmarks and hidden gems. For many visitors, the first thing they see would be the horse trailers that are usually parked near the trailhead as that’s where all the horses come into the park. Compared to other trails, Wildhorse is relatively flat, but travelers still can get panoramic views of natural wonders during their hike. A small seasonal waterfall also sits at the trail’s end. In addition, one can pick up some light celebrity history by viewing Paul McCartney’s former house, which stands beyond the pink buildings of Tanque Verde Guest Ranch. It was there that his first wife Linda passed away from cancer in 1998.
