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| Douglas Springs to Tanque Verde Ridge trail, AZ | |
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| | Douglas Springs to Tanque Verde Ridge trail, AZ | | | |
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Douglas Springs to Tanque Verde Ridge trail, AZ
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| Hiking | 21.57 Miles |
4,653 AEG |
| | Hiking | 21.57 Miles | 12 Hrs 25 Mns | | 1.84 mph |
| 4,653 ft AEG | 41 Mns Break | 18 LBS Pack | | |
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| no linked trail guides |
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| no partners | | | I started this day hike at 5:15am at the Douglas Springs trailhead. Sunrise was about 7:30 so it was dark for the beginning miles. It had rained quite a bit that night and was sprinkling off and on until an hour after sunrise. The grass along the trail was quite wet and quickly soaked my shoes. Ernie falls was flowing well although I couldn’t see it as I passed because it was still dark. When I got to Douglas Springs the creek was running quite fast but not bank to bank. I was still able to hop across in a narrow spot. As I neared Cow Head Saddle fog rolled in and it started misting lightly. The forecast showed snow at 7,500’ and I had planned the trip to stay well below that elevation. Once at the saddle I took the Tanque Verde Ridge trail and headed towards the summit. The trail was easy to follow and not too badly overgrown. I passed the odd patch of snow on the north facing parts of the trail but not enough to worry about. The fog was pretty dense the whole way but began rising near the peak. Once at the peak I signed the register which consisted of two sheets of unlined paper that were completely full. Then I scurried down the trail continuing toward the Tanque Verde Ridge trailhead. I saw the first people of the day just east of Juniper Basin campground. They were a couple of day hikers that started from the Freeman Homestead trail to summit the peak. As I passed by the campground I didn’t see or hear campers. Later though, I passed a couple groups of backpackers headed to the campground. Once I dropped to below 4,000’ the sun came out and I was able to shed some layers. The rest of the hike was sunny and warm. Being winter only the evergreens had foliage and there weren’t any wildflowers. Still, the biomes you pass through are spectacular at anytime of year. The diversity from the desert floor to the small pine forests near the top of Tanque Verde peak were exactly what I had come to see. Once at the trailhead I road walked to the Saguaro National Park East Visitor Center and ended my hike there to catch a ride back to Douglas Springs trailhead. |
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