Converse Trail - Saguaro NP, AZ

Overview: Converse Trail is a hiker only path that connects Douglas Spring Trail with Garwood Trail. It provides a convenient turn around point for anyone hiking the Douglas Spring Trail that is looking to do a short hike, or avoid any major elevation gain. Along the way you will have decent views to the west and northwest of Tucson & Mt Lemmon.


Hike: From Douglas Spring Trail, Converse Trail will head south for a short ways and then head directly west as it parallels the Douglas Spring Trail. The trail will contour along the base of Tanque Verde Ridge, and at 0.2 miles it crosses a usually dry drainage. Here there is a small depression on the right side of the trail that forms a shallow pool during monsoon season. Although I have never hiked through this area at night, I would assume the Colorado River Toads take full advantage of it during mating season.Continuing past the drainage, the trail will begin to head west away from the foothills as it begins its gradual decent towards Garwood Trail. The closer you get to Garwood Trail, the more the views to the south open up and Tanque Verde Ridge slowly comes into view. By the time you reach the signed junction with Garwood Trail, almost all of Tanque Verde Ridge should be visible.

2012-07-15 keepmoving