The Best Hikes in Tortolita Mountain Park

 Looking back this seems to be one of the hikes I do to stretch my legs before a bigger hike the following weekend. Long enough to stretch your legs, just the right amount of climbing and can be done before breakfast.

Still some wildflowers around and the saguaros are beginning to bloom. But looking around I hope we have a decent monsoon, there is a now a ton of tall, dead grass to fuel a fire with.

 Met up with Denny at the Wild Burro trailhead at 8 AM and began our hike up the sandy floor of Wild Burro Canyon. This was the first time either of us had been in the Tortolitas. Soon the bouldered mountain sides rose high above us, covered by the Sonoran desert staples of saguaro, ocotillo, catclaw and prickly pear. The weather was beautiful with a warm winter sun and wispy clouds. The miles flew by quickly as Denny and I chatted and caught up on life. Alamo tank was a cool place, located at the top of a waterfall and the entrance to a hidden mountain valley. Definitely had a nice remote look to it. Hard to imagine a city of 1 million people just a few miles away. Next up was Wild Mustang trail, where we climbed quickly onto a high ridge to enjoy far-reaching views of the greater Tucson region. After having the mountains mostly to our selves, we begin to see a number of others, especially as we drew closer to the resort. Denny spied a curious feature on a ridge high above us, what appeared to be a large rock wall that we dubbed the “great wall of the Tortolitas”. Hard to get a decent look at it though. We overshot the trailhead turnoff just a bit, but were treated to a large javelina herd sighting as we walked up a wash. Piglets and snuffling were observed, along with a lunch of prickly pears. Post-hike we headed east for a Mexican food lunch at Carlottas in Catalina. A great and memorable day. Thanks for a great day Denny! Let’s do it again soon.

 Matt had wanted to do Window Peak via Finger Rock Trail. That was our plan but weather concerns had us shifting gears to the Tortilitas. We gained a couple extra miles, lost about 3500 feet of gain and ended up with weather that was comfortable for the bulk of our hike.

This loop is enjoyable and has some nice views along the way. It was my second time doing it but probably not my last.

I have a feeling Window Peak won't be too far off in the distant future.

 We had planned on doing Kimball/Window via Finger Rock, but the cold temps had us looking at the last minute for something a little lower in elevation, so JJ & I introduced Mountain Rat to the Tortolita Superloop. Started just after 8, and moved through it fairly quickly. All the trails are super easy to follow with the exception of the old, unnamed trail you take on the superloop to connect the end of Cochie Canyon to the dropdown onto Wild Mustang. It was a little overgrown in spots, and involves that short, steep ascent over the ridge.

Today I was wearing leather boots, and during the our time in that particular section, the glue gave way with the sole on my right boot and I had a flopper. It came loose from the toe all the way to the arch on my right foot. Thankfully it was easily remedied with some good ole duct tape...few swipes around and it was fine the rest of the day. Once we were done with that section and was onto Wild Mustang, the left boot did the same...giving way from toe to the ball of my left foot. Little more duct tape, here we come.

This was the first time I've done the whole loop in nearly 2 years; when I was on it last, there was still trail construction going on around the Wild Burro spur and the Ridgeline, and on that particular day I needed to take a detour route. Today I re-recorded the track and will update the trip description to note the final route.

Up on the Ridgeline (my favorite section), we took in views from Mt. Wrightson, Baboquivari & Kitt Peak in the south to Four Peaks in the north, beautiful.

Was great getting to know Mountain Rat, enjoyed your company today! And as always, JJ too.

 I met up with JJ and Dave at the Wild Burro TH just a bit after 8:00 and we commenced to burning up the trail. Early on, we had just enough sunshine to keep us from freezing, but well before the half way mark we had a pretty comfortable balance of sun and shade that lasted the rest of the hike. This one covers quite a lot of ground and though the elevation gain seems kind of low, you pick it up quickly in just a few spots, so it’s not easy gain. This was a tough little trot in an area that I intend to further explore.

Thanks to Dave and JJ for guiding this one. I had no track loaded, so had no clue what to do or where to go. Till next time…

 Not a very rugged area,( but maybe my perception was clouded by the fact that the trail starts at the Ritz Carlton ? The area is vast, however and there is plenty to explore. AND as we were hiking I saw a bobcat dart around a bend in the trail up ahead. He disappeared very quickly and I only glimpsed him for a second, but it was still so cool to see a BOBCAT ^^

The ridgeline Trail was very beautiful- the views of Mount Lemmon were inspiring~ Definitely the highlight of the day

As our hike neared the end we came into view of the Ritz again and could see some event being set up and lots of Tuxedos gathered around. A start contrast to us, all dusty from an 18 mile hike. Maybe we should have celebrated post-hike with a martini at the lounge??

 This lasso loop hike came onto my radar about a year ago. It looked interesting and it was relatively close to Phoenix. The weather looked pleasant for late April and I talked to Kyle and Claire and they were down. Wet met at Ray Rd and the I-10 and the drive down took took a little over an hour.

This hike starts from the Ritz Carlton parking lot. The Trailhead has nice bathrooms and they provide a map with excellent details of the hikes in the area. The trail starts by dropping you into a wash. Soon after we hit a junction and went to the northwest as we started our lasso loop. These trails are in excellent condition and are easy to follow. There were a few people on the early portion around the resort. They didn't wander too far away.

We made steady progress and we took a short break by the windmill at the five mile mark. From there we connected onto the unofficial trail. The route is generally easy to follow but it really helped having a GPS. Mostly for the beginning and a few short stretches as we climbed to the ridgeline and then dropped down the east side where we connected back on official trail.

Once back on trail we made quick time as we headed for the homestead. We passed the grave marker along the way and soon after Claire spotted a bobcat on the trail ahead of us. I caught a quick glimpse of it as it ran away. We continued on and took our lunch at the homestead where there were a couple of tanks for water. It looked green but filterable. The real issue were all the wasps flying around. We didn't explore the homestead much. There is a large rock corral to the northeast. It looks like that is where you want to pick up the trail. Instead we followed a use trail two-tenths of a mile to connect back onto trail.

Next up was the Ridgeline trail and this is the best portion of the hike. The trail is in excellent condition and the views of the Catalinas and Mount Lemmon are breathtaking! We made quick time and connected onto a few different trails. The rest of the hike blurred by and before long we were all done and back to the jeep.

The Tortolitas have some nice hiking. It's a large range with a lot of trails in very good condition. It reminded us a lot of South Mountain without the people. Give this area a try if you're looking for some nice trails that aren't too far from the major cities.

 9L's been wanting to do this... mostly for all the unique trail links to add to his ranking. I'm sure my list is wrong. I'll fix it after he posts-- he won't miss a single one

It was nice to do a new area but there's really nothing too interesting going on down here. The Tortolita Ridgeline Trail was definitely the highlight-- some great views of Lemmon and Wrightson. There was a good bit of commentary that most of the day was very similar to hiking South Mountain except the trails here are immaculate. It was a beautiful day and an enjoyable hike but I don't see myself visiting these trails again. Good flower show right now.

A+ for nicest bathrooms at any trailhead anywhere

 Despite working for a trail organization, I sometimes get stuck behind my computer and an endless stream of emails and phone calls. I needed to get away for a quick overnighter and realized I hadn't hiked the new Tortolita Ridgeline Trail. I worked until 4 and got hiking by 5 on the Tortolitas Superloop. Made it onto the Cochie Canyon Trail for a great sunset- I almost missed the best part of it cause I thought it was over and started hiking again. Found a spot after hiking with my headlamp for a bit that had the only flat real estate around and set up camp. Had an enjoyable evening with a beautiful halo around the moon for photography.

The next morning, I hiked to the old windmill and got on the connector trail over to Wild Mustang. When I reached the saddle, I explored a well-cairned route that seems to go back under the rocky peak and toward Wild Burro Wash. Something to check out next time. There were great views of the Catalinas and Picacho Peak from the saddle. You go past a crested saguaro that has seen better times- a victim of the frost of 2010. I stabbed my little toe trying to sidestep a small saguaro. Those spines have some sort of poison that hurts beyond just the usual jab. Dug out a good-sized piece once I got home.

I made it to the Wild Mustang and took it to the new-to-me Wild Burro Tank/Goat Corral trail. This trail meanders through the desert until it reaches Wild Burro Tank, a solar windmill with a big metal tank and a wildlife tank with a covered float. I had brought all my water for the two days but took on an emergency liter from the tank just in case. Such a desert hiker.

After exploring the Goat Corral area I started up the Ridgeline Trail lazy switchbacks up to the ridgecrest. The trail construction in the Tortolitas is amazing! The new Ridgeline is a delight! It contours around, swooping this way and that to stay on the ridgeline and offers incredible views down into the Tortolitas as well as views of the Catalinas, Santa Ritas, and Picacho Peak. All of this and wildflowers too, many varieties including some fragrant ceanothus. I was super-excited to be on such a sweet fresh piece of trail so close to my home.

The Wild Burro Tank/Ridgeline loop eventually drops you back at Wild Burro just a little ways down from where you started the loop. It's a great tour of the interior of the Torts. I took the Wild Burro Trail all the way and made it back to my car with out seeing anyone for the entire time I was out A great little 24-hour adventure.

Wildflowers
Moderate in areas- brittlebush blooming near the TH, patches of other flowers along the loop.

 started off pretty good but the wheels came off the last 3 miles...blah

ridgeline is a wonderful trail to run. definitely my new favorite out there. ran wild burro all the way out to the spring and came back on the loop connector and ridgeline. missed the official beginning of the loop connector and climbed up the old alignment. gotta fix that next time.

fast jenny kicked my butt today!