Gates Pass Trail, AZ

Gate's Pass is an easily accessible hike whether you live in Tucson or visiting. It is situated in the hills/peaks just west of Tucson, and from several vantage points, you have views of the Tucson area looking in all directions.


Saguaro cactus are prevalent with beautiful vegetation and rock formations everywhere. We spent more time looking around than hiking, but the trails in this area are very well marked and can be as extensive as you would like. You begin the hike by taking the visible trailhead next to the parking area. The grade is moderately steep, to begin with, then tapers off as you approach an intersection of trails, each marked with signs. The Gates Pass Trail continues around toward a suburb off in the distance but then turns away as it skirts the peak in that area.We chose not to go up to any peaks but to stay on the circumference trail. At one point, we had to stop and take in the view and noticed a large area of gray rock/dirt in the middle of a lot of Arizona red desert terrain. After backtracking from the circumference trail because we were short for time, we headed up a trail toward the gray rock area.

Besides us, we ran into two other groups of people, and that was all, which was not bad for a Saturday. There's a lot to do in this area besides hiking as the International Wildlife Museum is on the way, and Old Tucson is down the road if you continue down West Gates Pass road. There are restaurants and bed and breakfasts everywhere on the way, too, set off in the beautiful Tucson western peaks.

2003-03-10 fatoldsun