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Three Tank Trail - Saguaro NP - 4 members in 43 triplogs have rated this an average 3.8 ( 1 to 5 best )
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43 triplogs
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Jan 29 2026
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 Guides 2
 Routes 302
 Photos 1,062
 Triplogs 306

51 male
 Joined Mar 24 2021
 Tucson, AZ
SNPE Waterfall Tour, AZ 
SNPE Waterfall Tour, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 29 2026
JackluminousTriplogs 306
Hiking10.98 Miles 2,194 AEG
Hiking10.98 Miles   5 Hrs   12 Mns   2.57 mph
2,194 ft AEG      56 Mns Break
 
1st trip
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Started at 11:30 with plans for lunch by a creek. The parking lot was full but found a spot on the road; I was skeptical if I’d find a private lunch place.

At Wildhorse Tank I was fortunate to be seated on a slab at what might have been the best seat out of town, with pools and falls galore and no company. A few hikers got to the creek crossing but nobody headed upstream.

One inspired fellow went downstream though, and after he left I decided to check that out, too.

Having the afternoon free I thought I might check out Ernie’s. Plenty of people on the trails but nobody at Ernie’s, so I had a pleasant time there too. Even waded out into the pool up to my knees. It was pretty cold.

On the way back I decided why not check out Bridal Wreath too. From the trail to Ernie’s it was visibly and audibly flowing nicely. Indeed it was; surprisingly there was no one there either. I wanted to get back to the car by 5 so I didn’t stay long.

Made it back to the car at 4:45, making a nice afternoon hike with some good distance.

Water pretty much everywhere. Saw one cardinal and lots of butterflies, but otherwise no wildlife. Spring wildflowers are starting. Lupines and primrose down low, dalea going bonkers a bit higher up.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  PaleoRob Pose
 
229056
Nov 29 2025
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 Routes 345
 Photos 39
 Triplogs 342

female
 Joined Feb 02 2020
 Shallowater,TX
Bridal Wreath Ernie Falls Loop, AZ 
Bridal Wreath Ernie Falls Loop, AZ
 
 Hiking avatar Nov 29 2025
mamakatt22Triplogs 342
 Hiking10.00 Miles 1,923 AEG
 Hiking10.00 Miles   6 Hrs   13 Mns   1.75 mph
1,923 ft AEG      31 Mns Break12 LBS Pack
 
no photosets
1st trip
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We had an excellent hike today. We took the Douglas Springs Trail to get to Bridal Wreath Falls. Well kept trail, definitely a workout. There are still lots of wildflowers out and so many butterflies! Beautiful to see so many. Bridal Wreath Falls was spectacular and there were many other hikers going to see them. We went to Ernie Falls after that. Two big dragonflies landed on Mark's shoulder when he sat down. It is also beautiful and in warmer weather would probably be a great place for a dip in the pool. It's a bit of a rock scramble to get to it but worth it!
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
  4 archives
227731
Nov 29 2025
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 Guides 187
 Routes 1,026
 Photos 12,535
 Triplogs 907

72 male
 Joined Jun 27 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Bridal Wreath Ernie Falls Loop, AZ 
Bridal Wreath Ernie Falls Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Nov 29 2025
markthurman53Triplogs 907
Hiking10.00 Miles 1,923 AEG
Hiking10.00 Miles   6 Hrs   14 Mns   1.82 mph
1,923 ft AEG      44 Mns Break
 
Good day to check out the conditions of Bridal Wreath and Ernie Falls. Started out on the Douglas Spring Trail at the end of Speedway. It was Saturday morning around 9:30 so lots of people at the trail head parking, luckily most were doing other trails in the park. The desert is looking really good thanks to the rains of Sept through November. All the larger creeks had a light flow. Bridal Wreath Falls had a light flow as with Ernie Falls. We took the Three Tanks Trail down to the Carrillo Trail then to Wild Horse Tanks. Checked on my favorite saguaro and it is doing fine, May not be the largest saguaro but I haven't seen too many others in such good health and as many arms. Returned on the Wild Horse Tank Trail. Trying to make this hike 10 miles and I just squeaked by.

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water less than maxwater less than max Wild Horse Canyon Light flow Light flow
_____________________
 
227791
Nov 07 2025
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 Photos 1,062
 Triplogs 306

51 male
 Joined Mar 24 2021
 Tucson, AZ
Garwood Wildhorse Three Tanks Carrillo lasso, AZ 
Garwood Wildhorse Three Tanks Carrillo lasso, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Nov 07 2025
JackluminousTriplogs 306
Hiking6.31 Miles 866 AEG
Hiking6.31 Miles   2 Hrs   50 Mns   3.08 mph
866 ft AEG      47 Mns Break
 
1st trip
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It’s almost cool enough to hike at low elevation and not feel like I’m trapped in a crematorium.

There’s a surprising amount of water out there. Some small pools near steel tank, and large pools up Wildhorse and around Garwood dam.

Also a surprising amount of wildflowers. And lots of butterflies.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
Fairy dusters and other stuff, lots of purple four o’clock.
 
227281
Sep 03 2025
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 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 5,149
 Triplogs 4,262

50 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Saguaro East Foothills Sweatfest, AZ 
Saguaro East Foothills Sweatfest, AZ
 
Run/Jog avatar Sep 03 2025
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,262
Run/Jog10.65 Miles 1,057 AEG
Run/Jog10.65 Miles   2 Hrs   27 Mns   4.56 mph
1,057 ft AEG      7 Mns Break4 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
Nice Loop in the foothills. the humidity was pretty brutal. only saw one person all day
_____________________
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  1 archive
225741
Apr 04 2025
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 Guides 2
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 Photos 1,062
 Triplogs 306

51 male
 Joined Mar 24 2021
 Tucson, AZ
Garwood Carrillo Three Tanks Douglas loop, AZ 
Garwood Carrillo Three Tanks Douglas loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Apr 04 2025
JackluminousTriplogs 306
Hiking8.00 Miles 1,374 AEG
Hiking8.00 Miles   3 Hrs   10 Mns   2.96 mph
1,374 ft AEG      28 Mns Break
 
no photosets
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Beautiful overcast day with rain in the mountains, cool temperatures and utterly pleasant conditions… how can I not hike? Especially looking at the extended forecast with a run at 100 within a week?

Quite a few others had the same idea, though I had Carrillo above Wildhorse and Three Tanks to myself.

Garwood dam and the drainage above it were bone dry, as was Wildhorse Tank.
 
222452
Feb 15 2025
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 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 5,149
 Triplogs 4,262

50 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Bridal Wreath Falls LoopTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 15 2025
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,262
Hiking12.85 Miles 2,011 AEG
Hiking12.85 Miles   4 Hrs   6 Mns   3.28 mph
2,011 ft AEG      11 Mns Break6 LBS Pack
 no routes
Deformed blob of a loop taking in a bunch of the trails in the western rincon foothills. lovely day. went to bridle wreath and ernie's falls. everything dry. also went out to Little Wildhorse Tank which was nice.
_____________________
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  1 archive
221389
Dec 14 2024
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 Guides 2
 Routes 302
 Photos 1,062
 Triplogs 306

51 male
 Joined Mar 24 2021
 Tucson, AZ
Douglas Garwood Three Tanks loop, AZ 
Douglas Garwood Three Tanks loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Dec 14 2024
JackluminousTriplogs 306
Hiking6.51 Miles 1,104 AEG
Hiking6.51 Miles   2 Hrs   18 Mns   3.03 mph
1,104 ft AEG      9 Mns Break
 
no photosets
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Lovely day for a hike!

Saw two deer on Garwood. They were kind enough to pose for pictures.

Saw three horses on Three Tanks, accompanied by their humans.

Mighty dry out there. One bush was in full bloom though, as well as one random ocotillo.

Per usual, DS was busy.
  2 archives
219745
Mar 29 2024
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 Guides 2
 Routes 302
 Photos 1,062
 Triplogs 306

51 male
 Joined Mar 24 2021
 Tucson, AZ
Steel tank out & back, AZ 
Steel tank out & back, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Mar 29 2024
JackluminousTriplogs 306
Hiking4.56 Miles 694 AEG
Hiking4.56 Miles   2 Hrs   18 Mns   2.22 mph
694 ft AEG      15 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
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Morning hike with wifey. We wanted to go to Wildhorse Tank but got detoured to Steel Tank. There were Africanized bees that built a hive on upper Wildhorse. We didn’t have enough time to continue past Steel Tank, so we went back the way we came.

Pretty good wildflowers all the way. We had been to Picacho Peak recently but this route beats Picacho hands down.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Substantial
Picacho has nothin’ on the Rincons.
  1 archive
214256
Feb 09 2024
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 Guides 187
 Routes 1,026
 Photos 12,535
 Triplogs 907

72 male
 Joined Jun 27 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Bridal Wreath Loop, AZ 
Bridal Wreath Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Feb 09 2024
markthurman53Triplogs 907
Hiking7.70 Miles 1,500 AEG
Hiking7.70 Miles   4 Hrs   23 Mns   1.78 mph
1,500 ft AEG      4 Mns Break
 
Partners partners
mamakatt22
Bridal Wreath Falls redo. Arrived at Douglas Spring Trail head to an overflowing parking area and had to park at the Wildhorse Trail parking area. Worked out good since we would finish on that trail. Lots of people on the Douglas Spring Trail, about half heading to Bridal Wreath Falls. Good day to visit the falls, more water than I have ever seen before. There is a lower and upper falls, I usually only go to the lower and assumed this was the falls referred to as Bridal wreath but with the high flow the upper falls is probably what the falls are named for. We returned via the Three Tanks and Wildhorse Trails. Very few people on these.

Water everywhere, good flow in creeks along the Douglas, Bridal Wreath and Ernie Falls creek and the Three Tanks Creek. No issues crossing any of them. The three tanks along the trail, Aguila, mica and steel tank are dry and have been for years but the creek is running good. The earthen dam at the Aguila and Mica have been breached so they are not really tanks anymore. Steel tank or Goldfish tank wouldn't hold water due to holes. Temperatures were in the low 50's with intermittent sun, perfect day for hiking.

dry Aguila Tank Dry Dry
Breached no longer a tank. Creek is running though

dry Mica Tank Dry Dry
Breached no longer a tank. Creek is running though

dry Steel Tank Dry Dry
tank no long has water in it. Creek is running though
_____________________
 
213029
Feb 09 2024
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 Routes 345
 Photos 39
 Triplogs 342

female
 Joined Feb 02 2020
 Shallowater,TX
Bridal Wreath Loop, AZ 
Bridal Wreath Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Feb 09 2024
mamakatt22Triplogs 342
Hiking7.70 Miles 1,526 AEG
Hiking7.70 Miles   4 Hrs   25 Mns   1.89 mph
1,526 ft AEG      20 Mns Break
 
no photosets
Partners partners
markthurman53
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Great hike, good weather and plenty of water. There were so many waterfalls on all of the trails we were on. It was spectacular!
  8 archives
213023
Oct 11 2023
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 Guides 187
 Routes 1,026
 Photos 12,535
 Triplogs 907

72 male
 Joined Jun 27 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Douglas Spring Three Tanks Loop, AZ 
Douglas Spring Three Tanks Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Oct 11 2023
markthurman53Triplogs 907
Hiking6.30 Miles 1,080 AEG
Hiking6.30 Miles   3 Hrs   11 Mns   1.99 mph
1,080 ft AEG      1 Min Break
 
1st trip
Partners partners
mamakatt22
Another early morning hike close to home. Headed out on the Douglas Spring trail to the Three Tanks Trail. This is a good trail to start out, the 1000 foot climb gets the blood flowing. We headed down the Three Tanks trail. The upper first part of this trail I call Rattlesnake alley. Didn't see any this time but the a year or so back Ran into 4 rattlesnakes and a Gila Monster all with in a couple 100 yards. No water at all in the creeks along the trail but did see a few dragon flies looking for some. The Douglas Spring trail head parking lot was full when we got there at 0630 but other than 1 large group heading to Douglas Spring really didn't see too many people on the trail (maybe 3).
_____________________
 
209989
Sep 01 2023
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 Guides 2
 Routes 302
 Photos 1,062
 Triplogs 306

51 male
 Joined Mar 24 2021
 Tucson, AZ
Douglas Spring Three Tanks Garwood loop, AZ 
Douglas Spring Three Tanks Garwood loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Sep 01 2023
JackluminousTriplogs 306
Hiking9.41 Miles 1,480 AEG
Hiking9.41 Miles   3 Hrs   55 Mns   3.00 mph
1,480 ft AEG      47 Mns Break
 
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Finally had a break in the heat to do a low elevation hike, which was very exciting. Started at 6:40am, and it was cloudy the whole way until the return leg. Hiked counter clockwise to keep the sun off as much as possible and it worked out well.

Only saw four other hikers all morning.

Not much water out there despite recent rains. A few pools around Garwood Dam and at Wildhorse Tank. Bridal Wreath was bone dry.

Saw two white-tailed bucks with antlers early on Garwood, one sleepy diamondback coiled in the middle of Three Tanks trail, and one roadrunner at Bridal Wreath. Lots of barrel cactus with fiery flower crowns, otherwise not much blooming. Plentiful ripe prickly pear fruit gave me a hankering for jam.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Barrels are blooming but not much else.
 
209047
May 11 2023
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 Guides 2
 Routes 302
 Photos 1,062
 Triplogs 306

51 male
 Joined Mar 24 2021
 Tucson, AZ
Douglas Garwood Wildhorse Three Tank Carrillo, AZ 
Douglas Garwood Wildhorse Three Tank Carrillo, AZ
 
Hiking avatar May 11 2023
JackluminousTriplogs 306
Hiking6.08 Miles 974 AEG
Hiking6.08 Miles   2 Hrs      3.23 mph
974 ft AEG      7 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
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Took advantage of the less blisteringly hot day after work and went for a hike. Scared the daylights out of dozens of lizards, though one particularly handsome fellow posed for photographs. Also startled a squirrel and three white-tailed deer.

The trail is very bloomy with cactus flowers, ocotillo and palo verde.

Still some pools below Wildhorse Tank.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
Cactus, ocotillo, and palo verde are the most visible.

water 1 out of 5water less than maxwater less than maxwater less than max Wild Horse Canyon Pools to trickle Pools to trickle
Decent pools below Wildhorse Tank.
 
206407
Mar 03 2023
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 Guides 2
 Routes 302
 Photos 1,062
 Triplogs 306

51 male
 Joined Mar 24 2021
 Tucson, AZ
Garwood Three Tanks Carrillo Douglas loop, AZ 
Garwood Three Tanks Carrillo Douglas loop, AZ
 
 Hiking avatar Mar 03 2023
JackluminousTriplogs 306
 Hiking5.25 Miles 849 AEG
 Hiking5.25 Miles   1 Hour   23 Mns   3.89 mph
849 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 
no photosets
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Quick workout. Would have made better time but was easily distracted by waterfalls.
 
204420
Jan 20 2023
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 Guides 2
 Routes 302
 Photos 1,062
 Triplogs 306

51 male
 Joined Mar 24 2021
 Tucson, AZ
Garwood Carrillo Three Tanks Loop, AZ 
Garwood Carrillo Three Tanks Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 20 2023
JackluminousTriplogs 306
Hiking8.07 Miles 1,299 AEG
Hiking8.07 Miles   3 Hrs   12 Mns   3.39 mph
1,299 ft AEG      49 Mns Break6 LBS Pack
 
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Tons of water everywhere. Pretty much every drainage was flowing. So good to see so much water in the desert.

Startled a couple white-tailed deer on Garwood. Startled a few hikers too since I was moving pretty fast.

Hung out at Wildhorse Tank a bit. Nobody there.
 
203063
Jan 12 2023
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 Guides 2
 Routes 302
 Photos 1,062
 Triplogs 306

51 male
 Joined Mar 24 2021
 Tucson, AZ
Garwood Three Tanks Carrillo Douglas Loop, AZ 
Garwood Three Tanks Carrillo Douglas Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 12 2023
JackluminousTriplogs 306
Hiking5.01 Miles 839 AEG
Hiking5.01 Miles   1 Hour   17 Mns   3.90 mph
839 ft AEG
 
no photosets
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Looped counterclockwise Garwood to Douglas Spring via Carrillo.
 
202601
Jan 04 2023
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 Guides 2
 Routes 302
 Photos 1,062
 Triplogs 306

51 male
 Joined Mar 24 2021
 Tucson, AZ
Douglas Carrillo Three Tanks Garwood loop, AZ 
Douglas Carrillo Three Tanks Garwood loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 04 2023
JackluminousTriplogs 306
Hiking5.02 Miles 825 AEG
Hiking5.02 Miles   1 Hour   23 Mns   3.63 mph
825 ft AEG
 
no photosets
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Took a shorter Douglas to Garwood loop, splitting off from DS to Three Tanks using the Carrillo trail. Usually take DS all the way to Three Tanks but a little short on time today. Sunny and warm, lots of people out.
 
202272
Dec 29 2022
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 Guides 2
 Routes 302
 Photos 1,062
 Triplogs 306

51 male
 Joined Mar 24 2021
 Tucson, AZ
Douglas Spring Three Tanks Garwood Loop, AZ 
Douglas Spring Three Tanks Garwood Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Dec 29 2022
JackluminousTriplogs 306
Hiking7.63 Miles 1,254 AEG
Hiking7.63 Miles   3 Hrs   33 Mns   2.83 mph
1,254 ft AEG      51 Mns Break
 
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Lovely cloudy day after a decent rain. Apparently a lot of others had the same idea; saw more folks on Three Tanks today than combined on every other trip I’ve been on it.

Took LE along so there were lots of breaks on the uphill stretch.

We did the spur to Bridal Wreath. It was more of a garden hose than a waterfall, even after the recent rain.

Saw a chipmunk at the falls, who seemed a bit put out that we were trespassing on it’s territory.

A pudgy-faced groundhog on Douglas Spring trail, however, completely ignored us as we passed by its prickly pear den.
 
202022
Nov 28 2022
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 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 5,149
 Triplogs 4,262

50 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Three Tank Trail - Saguaro NPTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Nov 28 2022
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,262
Run/Jog10.00 Miles 1,581 AEG
Run/Jog10.00 Miles   2 Hrs   25 Mns   4.29 mph
1,581 ft AEG      5 Mns Break4 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Fun route up to Ernie's Falls and the park boundary. Really nice day too. The falls were of course bone dry but it is a neat spot.
_____________________
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201319
average hiking speed 2.28 mph
1, 2, 3  Next

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.

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