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A beautiful moderate hike through desert scrub with lots of saguaros, rolling hills, and several waterfalls.


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Map Key

7.3

Miles

11.8

KM

Loop

3,818' 1,164 m

High

2,763' 842 m

Low

1,155' 352 m

Up

1,154' 352 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

30%

Max Grade (17°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

This hike starts off with a bit of a climb but then tapers off to mostly flat or rolling hills. You'll see great views of Mt. Lemmon and the Santa Catalina Mountains from a distance. During the winter months, there is a good chance there will be lots of water at Bridal Wreath Falls as well as several other waterfalls and creeks along the way.

Need to Know

There is a small parking lot at the trailhead which is a fee area for Saguaro National Park. If the lot is full there is parking available on the road.

Description

Starting at the Douglas Springs Trail, take the Douglas Springs Trail for 2.9 miles to Bridal Wreath Falls. A roadrunner crossed our path just as we left the trailhead. We did this in January so there were a few shallow creek crossings to get to the falls. Bridal Wreath Falls has an upper and lower falls. You can hike close into the lower falls if you don't mind some rock hopping. It's definitely worth it.

After visiting the falls head back on the Douglas Springs Trail to Three Tank Trail. Continue on Three Tank Trail where you'll get to a giant metal tank at the Carrillo Trail crossing. Cross the creek and continue on Three Tank Trail heading east towards Wildhorse Trail. Take Wildhorse Trail for half a mile to Garwood Trail. Then follow Garwood Trail back to Douglas Springs to the trailhead.

Flora & Fauna

Saguaros, cholla (jumping, teddy bear, staghorn), barrel, prickly pear and other cactus abound! Mesquite and palo verde trees, brittle bush and other plants common in desert scrub areas. Flowing creeks and streams, mossy stones, huge flat rock areas with water falls nestled in the rolling hills. The only wildlife we saw on this hike was a roadrunner and other birds. I imagine you might see deer and other animals. During spring I'm sure there are plenty of wildflowers but not so much in January.

Contacts

Shared By:

Pam Delifer

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 11 votes

#3075

Overall
  4.1 from 11 votes
5 Star
18%
4 Star
73%
3 Star
9%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

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in Arizona

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Photos

Bridal Wreath Falls
Jan 3, 2020 near Tanque…, AZ
My impression of a giant saguaro.
Oct 1, 2015 near Tanque…, AZ
Saguaros in the Rincon foothills near Bridal Wreath Falls.
May 26, 2021 near Tanque…, AZ
A wonderful place to relax and enjoy your day on the trail. You can see the amount of water that can be in there at times.
Aug 18, 2016 near Tanque…, AZ
Intersection of Wildhorse, Garwood, Bajada Vista Trails. Trails are really well signed, just follow the arrows. A lot of life in the desert with the Prickly Pear, Cholla, Brittle Brush, Creosote, Palo Verde and Mesquite Trees all blossoming. The western end of the Catalina Mountains in the distance.
May 1, 2016 near Tanque…, AZ
After some wayfinding up the wash getting closer to the falls. This is a look back out toward the Catalina Mountains.
Aug 18, 2016 near Tanque…, AZ

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 25 days ago
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Check-Ins

Mar 15, 2024
Molly McLeod
Feb 27, 2024
Jeff Boyle
Nice afternoon taking photos of cacti — 3h 00m
Mar 8, 2023
Acy Crawford
7.3mi — 4h 20m
Jan 19, 2023
BK Hope
Jan 8, 2023
Brett Miller
Mar 26, 2022
Mary Anderson
Trickle at the falls. Saw a Gila monster. 3/23 4 hours 7.3mi — 3h 00m
Nov 15, 2021
Stephen Gorzynski
5.9mi — 3h 27m
Apr 6, 2021
Ryan W
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