Deer Valley Wash - Saguaro NP, AZ

Overview: Deer Valley Wash is perfect for anyone who enjoys following the washes that wind their way through the desert. The trail follows Deer Valley Wash for its entire route from the junction with Monument wash to its southern terminus at Squeeze Pen Trail.

Hike: The northern junction of Deer Valley Wash begins at a trail marker where it splits east from Monument Wash. While Saguaro National Park has declared this an official trail, it follows the wash for its entire course and is defined only by the boundaries of the wash.

Heading east from Monument Wash, if you look carefully approximately 100 feet from the junction you will notice the remains of what was once Saguaro Trail. Saguaro Trail once ran from Wentworth (now Vanover Trail) to Pink Hill. NPS decommissioned sections of Saguaro Trail and rerouted them to simplify the network of trails in the park and avoid damaging the fragile ecosystem.

Continuing past Saguaro Trail, Deer Valley Wash will begin to curve and head straight south as it works it way to Squeeze Pen Trail. You will encounter a medium size wash splitting off to your east about 0.3 miles from Monument Wash that people use as a shortcut between Squeeze Pen and Deer Valley Wash. Although you may be tempted to follow the tracks of previous hikers, you will continue past this wash for another 100 yards to the proper junction with Squeeze Pen Trail.

Warning: During monsoon season, flash floods can pose serious hazards and it is advisable to stay out of washes.

Check out the Official Route and Triplogs.

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2012-07-03 keepmoving