Tucson - hiking recommendations

[davidanthonyporter]

Hi,

I will be visiting Tucson for a few days in a few weeks or so. I would like some hiking recommendations.

We will have two opportunities to hike:
>Sunday afternoon - will be probably arrive to our hotel room around 2:30 or so and have time for a short hike somewhere close in
>Monday afternoon - we are visiting Karshner Caverns in the morning and will be able to hike in the afternoon. Keep in mind that we will be about an hour south of Tucson on this day.

Difficulty level - we generally hike 4-6 miles on intermediate type stuff. Elevation gain of 1,000 ft. or so is just fine. We enjoy long range views, wild flowers and anything of particular interest that we should see.

I look forward to your recommendations!

[Jeffshadows]

The trails in the Tucson Mountain Park might be a hit. Now is the time for an afternoon hike out there before things get too hot to be fun. Might be a good trip for Sunday afternoon. Could be some crowds checking out the flowers, though...

If you're already going to be at Kartchner, you could drive a little further and hike Ramsey Canyon in the Huachucas. It's a pretty easy stroll and the option exists to connect to trails that would take you to Carr Peak or elsewhere in the range if you were feeling like a longer jaunt that day. Besides, how often does one get down that way?

[fricknaley]

Ramsey Canyon is nice. There is also a nice little trail at the park called the Guindani Trail. I forget the specifics right now, but I've written it up here in HAZ in the past. I remember liking it. There's also Hope Camp in the south Rincons...easy stroll through the desert with big views of the southern Rincons.