Arizona Tucson - Thunderbird - Gila Monster - Coyote Pass - Brittle Bush - Loop
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 6.68 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,037 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 1,017 ft
- Max elevation
- 2,905 ft
- TrailRank
- 38
- Min elevation
- 2,403 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- 3 hours 14 minutes
- Coordinates
- 427
- Uploaded
- May 3, 2009
- Recorded
- May 2009
near Kino, Arizona (United States)
Viewed 3598 times, downloaded 20 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
Nice loop, lots of cacti and not much climbing.
Access from El Camino del Cerro. There is a parking at the trail head.
Take the trail and at the crossing go right on the Thunderbird trail.
When you reach the mine (fenced of rock), go on an unmarked trail left (north west) (there may be some markings made by previous hikers).
At the next unmarked crossing (point H) go strait on. Left is the return from Brittle Bush Trail.
The following unmarked crossing (point J ) (left to Cactus Canyon trail) go strait on the Gila Monster Trail (we didn't find any).
Now the trail becomes mostly a sandy wash, and is all of a sudden well marked.
Go on the marked trail Coyote Pass Trail on the left (Point K, a bit in the scrubs).
At the end of Coyote Pass Trail go left on Picture Rocks wash trail.
Turn left on Brittle Bush Trail to complete the loop.
At the end go right on the same trail you came from.
Parts of this hike are just outside the park. That means they may not be on some maps, but the trail is just as good, just unmarked.
Use National Geographic Map 237. (Saguaro National Park)
Expect no shade at all.
The Saguaro where blooming in early May 2009. That's what why we came in this already warmer period. (80-90F)
Hiking time: 3 Hours 15 Minutes.
There is no fee on this parking lot as it starts outside the park.
http://www.efmer.eu/trails/usa/az/tucson/thunderbird_gia_monster_coyote_pass_brittle_bush_loop.html
More Information
Access from El Camino del Cerro. There is a parking at the trail head.
Take the trail and at the crossing go right on the Thunderbird trail.
When you reach the mine (fenced of rock), go on an unmarked trail left (north west) (there may be some markings made by previous hikers).
At the next unmarked crossing (point H) go strait on. Left is the return from Brittle Bush Trail.
The following unmarked crossing (point J ) (left to Cactus Canyon trail) go strait on the Gila Monster Trail (we didn't find any).
Now the trail becomes mostly a sandy wash, and is all of a sudden well marked.
Go on the marked trail Coyote Pass Trail on the left (Point K, a bit in the scrubs).
At the end of Coyote Pass Trail go left on Picture Rocks wash trail.
Turn left on Brittle Bush Trail to complete the loop.
At the end go right on the same trail you came from.
Parts of this hike are just outside the park. That means they may not be on some maps, but the trail is just as good, just unmarked.
Use National Geographic Map 237. (Saguaro National Park)
Expect no shade at all.
The Saguaro where blooming in early May 2009. That's what why we came in this already warmer period. (80-90F)
Hiking time: 3 Hours 15 Minutes.
There is no fee on this parking lot as it starts outside the park.
http://www.efmer.eu/trails/usa/az/tucson/thunderbird_gia_monster_coyote_pass_brittle_bush_loop.html
More Information
Waypoints
Hiking
Photo
Waypoint
2,869 ft
C Xing
C Xing
Waypoint
2,690 ft
E Xing
E Xing
Waypoint
2,693 ft
H Xing
H Xing Gia Monster Trail - left Brittle Bush trail
Waypoint
2,527 ft
J Xing
J Xing
Waypoint
2,548 ft
Trail Head
Trail Head Cactus Canyon Trail
Waypoint
2,433 ft
J Xing
J Xing Windmill
Waypoint
2,433 ft
x coyote
Waypoint
2,529 ft
L Trail H
L Left Trail Head Cactus Canyon Tail - Continue on Coyote Pass Trail
Waypoint
2,460 ft
M Trail H
M Trail Head Coyote Pass Trail - Left on Picture Rocks Wash Trail
Waypoint
2,518 ft
P Trail H
P Righ Trail Head Ironwood Trail - Continue on Picture Rocks Wash Trail
Waypoint
2,534 ft
Q Trail H
Q Turn left on Trail Head Brittle Bush Trail
Waypoint
2,705 ft
S Trail H
S Trail Head Brittle Bush Trail
Waypoint
2,676 ft
Mine
Mine - Gila Monster Mine
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