Mica View Trail - Saguaro NP, AZ

Overview: Mica View Trail works its way from the Broadway Trailhead to the Cactus Forest Trail, passing through the Mica View Pinic Area along the way. Throughout most of its length it provides great views of Tanque Verde Ridge, Mica Mountain, and the Catalinas.


Hike: From Broadway, Mica View Trail will head directly south as it immediately passes junctions on the left and the right for Shantz Trail. The trail here winds its way through a section of relatively open desert with several large Saguaros present on both sides of the trail.At 0.7 miles you will reach a signed junction with the Mica View Picnic Area. Here you have two options- you can follow the sign that says "Horses" to your left past the hitchin post, or continue straight into the picnic area onto Mica View Rd. The official trail goes to your left and will allow you to detour around the Picnic Area. If you continue straight into the picnic area you will have to walk about 120 yards along the roadway until you see a trail marker on the left that shows you were to get back onto the Mica View Trail.

Past the picnic area, the trail will gradually dip into a brush filled area where it reaches a marked intersection with Javelina Wash at .9 miles. Passing through the wash you will climb a small hill and reach the end of Mica View at a marked intersection with Cactus Forest Trail. If you choose to end your hike at this point, a left turn would require the same distance as returning via Mica View Trail but will allow you to see more of the desert.

2012-07-07 keepmoving