Name: Wasson Peak Circle Route
Rating: 4.3

Toolbox

Save to Apple Watch
Plan in onX Backcountry

Driving directions
Download GPX File

Know This Trail?

Upload a photo

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Wildflowers

Overview

This route is a tough hike up King Canyon, but the reward is a great view from Wasson Peak and then a terrific and fast descent on the Hugh Norris Trail.

Need to Know

Park in the parking lot across the road from the Desert Museum.

Description

To begin this loop, head up the old jeep trail at the end of the parking lot, which is the King Canyon Trail. About 1 mile up, you'll see Sendero Esperanza coming down in the left. Keep going straight to stick to the King Canyon Trail. Be aware that the climb is tough, ~12%, and pretty rocky. Be aware that you'll likely be slowing down considerably on this route.

At the junction (3 miles from parking lot) with the Hugh Norris Trail, take the right fork to the top of Wasson Peak just a short 1/3 of a mile. Though this short trail is steep, the views at the top are worth it! You'll enjoy scenic views of the whole Tucson basin, making for a perfect place to catch your breath before a fast descent.

Once you've enjoyed the views from Wasson Peak, backtrack and then head down the Hugh Norris Trail - a sandy, and fun trail. Turn left on Sendero Esperanza which is a bit rocky but continues down past the picnic spot to the dry river bed. Continue down the river bed, also known as the King Canyon Wash. That will bring you back to the parking lot, where you can congratulate yourself on completing an excellent and strenuous hike!

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Saguaro National Park

Shared By:

Sandy Hilton

Full Details

Trail Ratings

4.3 from 28 votes

#2

in Tucson Mountain District (West)

#541

Overall

4.3 from 28 votes

5 Star		50%
4 Star		29%
3 Star		21%
2 Star		0%
1 Star		0%

Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Tucson Mountain Distri…

#31

in Arizona

#541

Overall

48 Views Last Month

4,012 Since Dec 31, 2016

		0%
		0%
		39%
		13%
		48%
		0%

Add a Photo

Photos

Mar 19, 2019 near Tucson…, AZ

View west from the saddle below Wasson Peak

Mar 28, 2018 near Tucson…, AZ

Looking down the final stretch of trail to Wasson Peak.

Feb 28, 2021 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

Aug 2, 2017 near Tucson…, AZ

Saguaros dotting the Arizona desert-scape on a cloudless day.

Apr 6, 2021 near Tucson…, AZ

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 55 days ago

Update Conditions See History

Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Feb 29, 2024

Brian L

Up on Canyon Trail, down on Gould Mine Trail 7.9mi

Jan 12, 2023

Randy Turner

Sep 25, 2022

Nate B

May 28, 2022

alex carlton

Incredible hike through forests of saguaro leading to epic 360 overlook of Tucson saw several lizards and turkey vultures also there way a coyote — 12h 00m

Apr 20, 2022

Mary Anderson

Beautiful panoramic views. Saw petroglyphs and mine. Took Gould Mine Trail instead of wash back 7.8mi — 5h 20m

Apr 9, 2022

John Hobbs

Left the boys behind to run back the left hand way with beautiful flowers, cacti, and slipping down the dry wash — spotting the glyphs!

Mar 9, 2022

Kristina Coleman

Mar 19, 2021

Paul Brunton

Feb 26, 2021

Ryan W

Oct 2, 2020

Caroline Ulczycki

Jun 1, 2020

Angel Davis

9.2mi — 4h 09m

Dec 11, 2019

Mary Avila

Parked at King Canyon parking — 12h 30m

Jul 5, 2019

Sophie W

https://socalhiker.net/hiking-wasson-peak-in-saguaro-national-park/ Drank 2-2.5 liters RT. Go early to beat the heat! We hiked from 0530-0950. 7.7mi — 4h 20m

Apr 7, 2019

Hugo C

8.2mi — 5h 17m

Mar 10, 2019

Greg Francis

It can get very windy up on the ridge line views are great and the wildflowers on the high Norris trail are beautiful

Feb 20, 2019

Andy Chaffin

You can also finish with the Gould Mine route back to the parking lot.

Jan 25, 2019

Ryan Brouwer

Jan 24, 2019

Ryan Brouwer

Jan 5, 2019

Brad Strathman

The route up to Wasson Peak ends with a 360 view of Tucson and beyond. Great workout and worth the effort to get there. 8.4mi

Dec 23, 2018

Stone Patrick

Dec 23, 2018

D Wilson

Dec 22, 2018

Karl W

Dec 15, 2018

Sam Wisher

Oct 7, 2018

Matt Swanson

8.4mi

Sep 4, 2018

Fan Lin

8.4mi

Aug 19, 2018

Dave Leddy

8.4mi

Apr 26, 2018

Emma Harrell

9.5mi

Mar 10, 2018

Erika Fisher

Wasn’t going to do the whole loop, but we couldn’t resist! 8mi

Mar 4, 2018

Matt Swanson

8.2mi

Feb 9, 2018

Lee H

Oct 4, 2017

Sean Nelson

Apr 16, 2017

C B

Jan 18, 2017

Matt Hage

Nearby Recommended Routes

Safford Peak

3.4 mi 5.5 km • 1,490' Up 454.08 m Up • 1,489' Down 453.96 m Down

Picture…, AZ

Bear Canyon Loop

16.9 mi 27.2 km • 2,465' Up 751.48 m Up • 2,456' Down 748.6 m Down

Catalin…, AZ

Near the highest point of this loop run, with the Tortolitas in the distance and cows on the trail ahead.

Honeybee Canyon Loop

22.3 mi 35.9 km • 964' Up 293.83 m Up • 964' Down 293.83 m Down

Catalina, AZ

Mica View Trail looking north at Catalina Mountains. While the trail is wide and smooth, look out for the jumping cactus.

Mica View - Cactus Forest Mini Loop

2.1 mi 3.4 km • 94' Up 28.72 m Up • 93' Down 28.49 m Down

Tanque…, AZ

Wildhorse to Douglas Springs Loop

3.1 mi 4.9 km • 157' Up 47.95 m Up • 152' Down 46.19 m Down

Tanque…, AZ

Oracle State Park 15.8 loop/trail

16.1 mi 25.9 km • 1,684' Up 513.33 m Up • 1,688' Down 514.63 m Down

Oracle, AZ

Your Rating:
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites:	Add To-Do · Your List

Wasson Peak Circle Route

“Head up King Canyon Trail, down the Hugh Norris Trail and Sendero Esperanza in this strenuous loop. ”

8.4

13.5

Loop

4,673' 1,424 m

2,914' 888 m

1,905' 581 m

1,912' 583 m

9%

45%

Toolbox

Know This Trail?

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Wildflowers

Overview

Need to Know

Description

Contacts

Shared By:

Trail Ratings

#2

#541

#2

#31

#541

Photos

0 Comments

Comment Type:

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Check-Ins

Nearby Recommended Routes

Safford Peak

Bear Canyon Loop

Honeybee Canyon Loop

Mica View - Cactus Forest Mini Loop

Wildhorse to Douglas Springs Loop

Oracle State Park 15.8 loop/trail

Join the Community