Route Editor
Route Scout
Kino's Speculation by fricknaley Pronounced Bob-ott Doe-awk In my quest for shorter trails to rehab my hamstring on I came across the Babad Do'ag trail off the Catalina Highway. This low-mid elevation hike is nice, with some quality views along the way and it's tough enough to break a sweat on a cool, windy day. Babad Do'ag is Tohono O'odham for "Frog Mountain" by the way. Walk right/uphill out of the vista pullout and follow the road for a couple hundred feet. A small signpost across the road marks the trail beginning. The trail initially scrambles up and away from the winding Catalina Highway. As you climb to your right nice views of the Rincons and Agua Caliente Hill increase. After climbing for a short while, the trail kind of levels out across a broad plateau and starts to head west. There are great views of the Rincons now. After the short west scramble the trail starts climbing north again. On your left comes a large, wide canyon that you generally parallel the rest of the way. The views are interesting here, as the mountains are wide open and covered in tall grass. This is a cool part of the Catalinas that I've seen here on other trails, but not really noticed anywhere else. The trail climbs through this section, and the peaks and ridges to the right and north become more interesting. Near the end, the trail winds west along a ridge and expansive views fall away in all directions. The trail terminates atop a hill along the ridge at a small sign. This is a nice spot to hang out for a while and take in the great scenery. Check out the Official Route and Triplogs. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Most recent Triplog Reviews
Babad Do'ag
Been a while since i served up a tucson daily double so today seemed like a good day to revisit some shorter local friends i haven't hiked in a while
Babad Do'ag is a bit overgrown with grasses right now, though the tread is so good it's still very easy to follow. just tears the legs up a little if you're wearing shorts.
the upper part of the trail crossing over the drainage headwaters is very nice
Babad Do'ag is a bit overgrown with grasses right now, though the tread is so good it's still very easy to follow. just tears the legs up a little if you're wearing shorts.
the upper part of the trail crossing over the drainage headwaters is very nice
2016-11-12 fricknaley
Babad Do'ag
Enjoyed the trail - love the short little section of ridge over to the end of trail sign! Couldn't see any water in the canyon from the trail... On the way back I made time to hike the obvious spur up to Point 4780 - pretty spot.
Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cmiles/sets/72157641638584274/
Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cmiles/sets/72157641638584274/
2014-02-27 camiles
Babad Do'ag
A quick outing with my good friend Sirena on a Friday afternoon. We parked at the Babad Do'ag vista, crossed the highway and traced back to the drainage just down the road. This is a peach of a drainage, with lots of huge boulders and beautiful rock walls. We scrambled up at what felt like a glacial pace having so much fun that it didn't matter one bit. As this was Sirena's delayed birthday hike with me, I had brought a special treat: hot coco to enjoy with some cookies trailside. The description by Imike is right on target...
The large waterfall at the top of the hike is a beauty - but I can't even imagine the kind of water that would be necessary to get it really going. From the small pools we saw in the canyon below, I think that ascending this way would be quite difficult with that kind of flow. The trail, however, is also quite lovely and ends just past the waterfall.
I think if you were going to keep traveling off-trail up and loop down with Soldier (as we were contemplating for another trip), it might be easiest to pull out of Babad Do'ag before the basin and head over the pass before the big waterfall to avoid having to climb the last bit on the trail.
I brought my camera, but alas the memory card was still in my computer at home. Sigh.
Wildflowers
Saw the first poppies on the hillsides next to the trail
The large waterfall at the top of the hike is a beauty - but I can't even imagine the kind of water that would be necessary to get it really going. From the small pools we saw in the canyon below, I think that ascending this way would be quite difficult with that kind of flow. The trail, however, is also quite lovely and ends just past the waterfall.
I think if you were going to keep traveling off-trail up and loop down with Soldier (as we were contemplating for another trip), it might be easiest to pull out of Babad Do'ag before the basin and head over the pass before the big waterfall to avoid having to climb the last bit on the trail.
I brought my camera, but alas the memory card was still in my computer at home. Sigh.
Wildflowers
Saw the first poppies on the hillsides next to the trail
2013-02-22 writelots
Babad Do'ag
I felt good enough after the Catalina SP to Mount Lemmon hike the day before, and this was something I liked due to the name, so I did it. A little odd that it ends where it does, but scenery is good throughout. Hot for me, but it felt good. Started around 1010 and got back just before noon. I drank 2 liters on the hike. Super dry, and the oaks look like they're barely alive.
2011-06-05 Jim_H
