username
X
password
register
for free!
help
ArticlesGuidesRoutes
 
Photosets
 
 Comments
triplogs   photosets   labels comments more
Three Tank Trail - Saguaro NP - 4 members in 41 triplogs have rated this an average 3.8 ( 1 to 5 best )
1, 2, 3  Next
41 triplogs
login for filter options
Nov 29 2025
avatar

 Guides 187
 Routes 1,000
 Photos 12,249
 Triplogs 880

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 880
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
_____________________
 
Nov 07 2025
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 282
 Photos 1,006
 Triplogs 286

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 286
Hiking6.31 Miles 866 AEG
Hiking6.31 Miles   2 Hrs   50 Mns   3.08 mph
866 ft AEG      47 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
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.
 
Sep 03 2025
avatar

 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 5,049
 Triplogs 4,192

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 4,192
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
_____________________
hi
  1 archive
Apr 04 2025
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 282
 Photos 1,006
 Triplogs 286

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 286
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
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
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.
 
Feb 15 2025
avatar

 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 5,049
 Triplogs 4,192

50 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Bridal Wreath Falls LoopTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 15 2025
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,192
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.
_____________________
hi
  1 archive
Dec 14 2024
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 282
 Photos 1,006
 Triplogs 286

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 286
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
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
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
Mar 29 2024
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 282
 Photos 1,006
 Triplogs 286

51 male
 Joined Mar 24 2021
 Tucson, AZ
Steel tank out & back, AZ 
Steel tank out & back, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Mar 29 2024
JackluminousTriplogs 286
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
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
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
Feb 09 2024
avatar

 Routes 318
 Photos 39
 Triplogs 315

female
 Joined Feb 02 2020
 Shallowater,TX
Bridal Wreath Loop, AZ 
Bridal Wreath Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Feb 09 2024
mamakatt22Triplogs 315
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
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
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
Feb 09 2024
avatar

 Guides 187
 Routes 1,000
 Photos 12,249
 Triplogs 880

72 male
 Joined Jun 27 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Bridal Wreath Loop, AZ 
Bridal Wreath Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Feb 09 2024
markthurman53Triplogs 880
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
_____________________
 
Oct 11 2023
avatar

 Guides 187
 Routes 1,000
 Photos 12,249
 Triplogs 880

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 880
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).
_____________________
 
Sep 01 2023
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 282
 Photos 1,006
 Triplogs 286

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 286
Hiking9.41 Miles 1,480 AEG
Hiking9.41 Miles   3 Hrs   55 Mns   3.00 mph
1,480 ft AEG      47 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
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.
 
May 11 2023
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 282
 Photos 1,006
 Triplogs 286

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 286
Hiking6.08 Miles 974 AEG
Hiking6.08 Miles   2 Hrs      3.23 mph
974 ft AEG      7 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
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.
 
Mar 03 2023
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 282
 Photos 1,006
 Triplogs 286

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 286
 Hiking5.25 Miles 849 AEG
 Hiking5.25 Miles   1 Hour   23 Mns   3.89 mph
849 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 
no photosets
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Quick workout. Would have made better time but was easily distracted by waterfalls.
 
Jan 20 2023
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 282
 Photos 1,006
 Triplogs 286

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 286
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
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
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.
 
Jan 12 2023
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 282
 Photos 1,006
 Triplogs 286

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 286
Hiking5.01 Miles 839 AEG
Hiking5.01 Miles   1 Hour   17 Mns   3.90 mph
839 ft AEG
 
no photosets
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Looped counterclockwise Garwood to Douglas Spring via Carrillo.
 
Jan 04 2023
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 282
 Photos 1,006
 Triplogs 286

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 286
Hiking5.02 Miles 825 AEG
Hiking5.02 Miles   1 Hour   23 Mns   3.63 mph
825 ft AEG
 
no photosets
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
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.
 
Dec 29 2022
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 282
 Photos 1,006
 Triplogs 286

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 286
Hiking7.63 Miles 1,254 AEG
Hiking7.63 Miles   3 Hrs   33 Mns   2.83 mph
1,254 ft AEG      51 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
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.
 
Nov 28 2022
avatar

 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 5,049
 Triplogs 4,192

50 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Three Tank Trail - Saguaro NPTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Nov 28 2022
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,192
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.
_____________________
hi
 
Nov 12 2022
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 282
 Photos 1,006
 Triplogs 286

51 male
 Joined Mar 24 2021
 Tucson, AZ
Douglas Spring Three Tanks Garwood Loop, AZ 
Douglas Spring Three Tanks Garwood Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Nov 12 2022
JackluminousTriplogs 286
Hiking6.24 Miles 1,136 AEG
Hiking6.24 Miles   1 Hour   56 Mns   3.28 mph
1,136 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Enjoyed the opportunity for a late morning hike in cooler weather. Did the loop counterclockwise; made for an easier ascent but I think the views are better going clockwise. Encountered a deer less than 10’ away from me on Garwood. Otherwise no exceptional wildlife sightings today.
 
Aug 19 2022
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 282
 Photos 1,006
 Triplogs 286

51 male
 Joined Mar 24 2021
 Tucson, AZ
Douglas Spring Three Tanks Garwood Loop, AZ 
Douglas Spring Three Tanks Garwood Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Aug 19 2022
JackluminousTriplogs 286
Hiking7.53 Miles 1,243 AEG
Hiking7.53 Miles   3 Hrs   10 Mns   2.66 mph
1,243 ft AEG      20 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Cool cloudy day for a hike. Not much water action at the falls but plenty of wildlife.

Spooked a couple deer near the junction for the falls.

Saw a large roadrunner at the falls.

On the way back saw a desert tortoise on the trail shortly before the Three Tanks junction. A young woman coming up from the other way (obviously not local) was worried that it wasn’t in water, and wanted to take it to somewhere with water. I had to explain it was in its natural habitat and that it wasn’t a turtle, and it really just needed to be left alone. :-k

Not far down Three Tanks was the highlight: a Gila monster! I almost ran into the poor fella. He was very deferential but also camera shy. Sharing the trail with a Gila monster made my week.
 
average hiking speed 2.35 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.

helpcommentissue

end of page marker