The desert southwest is sometimes touted as a dry, sparse and harsh environment, but no one could argue that point at this time of year; the terrain is erupting in color. Earlier in the week we hiked the Douglas Spring Trail which starts at the far east end of Speedway in Tucson, Arizona. We embarked on the first three miles of the trail into the Rincon Mountains to Bridal Wreath Falls. This photo is from about a mile and a half in from the trailhead. Though the first half mile of the well-maintained trail is rather steep and rugged, the payoff of the breathtaking views was well worth the effort. Take a hike on the trail this weekend, before the mountainsides of yellow Brittlebush dry up and while there will be more than the trickle of water at Bridal Wreath Falls which we encountered. We went prior to the two days of rain we’ve just had. Today and tomorrow should be exquisite!
TRAIL STATS:
Distance: 6 miles round trip
Hike Time: 3-1/2 hours
Elevation Gain: 1000 feet
Difficulty: Combo of easy hiking in valleys and moderate hill climbing
Trail Condition: Well maintained
Hike Type: Out and back
User groups: Hikers & horses
Ranger Contact: Saguaro National Park (520) 733-5153 at 3693 E. Old Spanish Trail Tucson, AZ. www.nps.gov/sagu
Photo copyrighted. Unauthorized use prohibited.
