Hike of the Month

Join us for a series of hikes in the Tucson area. We'll hike a different trail on the second Saturday of each month. Hikes are led by experienced, knowledgeable hiking guides. We'll meet at the trailhead for a fun day of hiking and exploration. Hikes range in distance from 4.5 to 12 miles with elevation changes from 300 to 2100 ft. Bring water, lunch and snacks.  Hiking boots should be worn for all of the following hikes.  Please, no tennis shoes.

Level of Difficulty:

Register for any three hikes at one time and receive a special rate of $75.

For more information, contact studytours@pima.edu or call 520.206.3952.

HK160X - Super Trail to Roger's Rock    (M)
Santa Rita Mountains - 4 miles, 1000 ft. elevation gain 

This is a moderate 4-mile loop hike with a 1000 feet elevation gain that begins in Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains.  We will hike the popular Super Trail toward Josephine Saddle.  About a mile before the saddle, we will connect to the Bog Spring/Kent Spring Trail.  Along the route, we will take a side trip to a rock outcropping named Roger's Rock with one of the most spectacular lower elevation views in the Santa Rita's.  We will have a leisure lunch on Roger's Rock and take in the surroundings.  After lunch we will continue on the route to the Kent Spring Trail.  When we reach the trail, we will immediately take another route back to the Super Trail and our vehicles. Bring water, lunch and snacks.

HK160T - Butterfly Trail    (D)
Santa Catalina Mountains - 5 miles, 2000 ft. elevation gain 

This is a difficult 5-mile hike in the Santa Catalina Mountains with an elevation gain of 2000 feet.  The trailhead is about 23 miles up the Catalina Highway. We will be hiking on the northwest side of the Highway at the upper ends of Alder and Edger Canyons. Much of this area was devastated by the Bullock Fire of 2002. It is interesting to see how Mother Nature is rejuvenating in this area. Near the turnaround point of the hike we'll see the scattered remains of an F86 Saber jet fighter plane that crashed in 1957. Bring lunch, snacks and water.

HK160M - Aspen Loop Hike    (MD)
Santa Catalina Mountains - 3.8 miles, 1000 ft. elevation gain 

This hike begins at Marshall Gulch which is just below the town of Summerhaven near the top of Mount Lemmon in the Santa Catalina Mountains.  This 3.8 mile loop ascends 1000 feet before dropping down to Marshall Saddle and then back to Marshall Gulch.  We will have lunch at "Lunch Ledge" which provides spectacular views of the Wilderness of Rocks, south toward Tucson and the Santa Rita Mountains.  Bring water, lunch and snacks.

HK160Y - Middle Bear Canyon Trail to Bear Saddle    (M)
Santa Catalina Mountains - 4 miles, 1000 ft. elevation gain 

Due to the Bullock fire, Aspen fire and work on the Catalina Highway, the General Hitchcock Campground in Middle Bear Canyon and the Green Mountain Trail have been closed for about six years.  They have recently re-opened.  We will hike from the campground up to Bear Saddle and return on the same trail.  We will cross Bear Creek several times and have an excellent corridor view out the canyon toward Thimble Peak.  This is a 4-mile moderate hike with 1000 feet elevation gain.  Bring water, lunch and snacks.

HK160R - Lemmon Trail to Lookout Tower    (MD)
Santa Catalina Mountains - 3 miles, 500 ft. elevation gain 

We will drive up to the very top of Mount Lemmon, in the Santa Catalina Mountains, and hike down to the Lemmon Rock Fire Lookout Tower.  At this point, there are panoramic views of the Wilderness of Rocks and Tucson.  We will then hike over to the Lemmon Trail and have lunch on a rock outcropping that offers more outstanding views.  This easy hike is 3 miles and about 500 feet change in elevation.  Bring a liter of water, lunch and snacks.  Plan to stop at the Mount Lemmon Cafe before heading down to Tucson (not included in fee).

HK160Z - Bog Spring-Kent Spring Loop Trail    (MD)
Santa Rita Mountains - 5.8 miles, 1800 ft. elevation gain 

This is one of Madera Canyon's prettiest hikes and begins at the Madera picnic area in the Santa Rita Mountains. The 5.8 mile moderately difficult trail has an elevation gain of 1800 feet with fine views of the Santa Rita's Madera Canyon, and far across the Santa Cruz Valley.  Along the way we pass Bog, Kent and Sylvester springs.  They usually have water that attracts birds and other wildlife, and supports large sycamore trees.  Bring water, lunch and snacks.