Wild Burro Loop Trail • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Sep 21 2024
		SpiderLegs • Triplogs 893

Hiking	13.50 Miles	2,300 AEG

Hiking	13.50 Miles	4 Hrs 27 Mns		3.03 mph
	2,300 ft AEG		20 LBS Pack

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Wild Burro Wash - Tortolita Mountains

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Took advantage of a very cool morning to get in a longish desert hike. Needed something to stretch the legs after doing nothing but hikes that go straight up and straight down.

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See my pics on Instagram @tucsonexplorer

Feb 27 2024

LindaAnn

Guides 110
Routes 2,246
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,600

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Tortolitas Loop, AZ

Hiking		Feb 27 2024
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600

Hiking	18.09 Miles	3,080 AEG

Hiking	18.09 Miles	8 Hrs 22 Mns	2.36 mph
	3,080 ft AEG	43 Mns Break

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8 linked trail guides

Peak 4416 - Tortolita Mountains

Wild Burro Wash - Tortolita Mountains

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Mountain_Rat

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Met up with Matt at the Wild Burro TH at 0700 and got hiking right away. Cloudy, but warmish, and no breeze. Made the large loop clockwise, with a side trip to Peak 4416. That was a scramble up large granite boulders following a cairned route. One short section of the descent made me butt scoot since I didn’t like the steep angle of the rock. Grippy though.

Some filtered sun as the day progressed, but a decent breeze on the higher ridges. Had lunch near the windmill/water tank/corral area. A leftover American Wagyu ribeye from last night made for an excellent lunch.

The Wild Burro Loop Trail and the Ridgeline Trail are probably my favorite part of this loop. Alamo Springs Trail was a little rockier than I remembered. Only saw a handful of hikers, mostly near the trailhead. A few rabbits, a squirrel, and some deer prints. Nice day, happy to get some good mileage, and always good to see Matt again!

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Saguaro - Crested

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Flowers are just starting. Should be good in a few weeks.

	Wild Burro Tank	Quart per minute	Quart per minute
	Tank and trough were full

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Stop crying and just go do the hike.

1 archive

Feb 27 2024

Mountain_Rat

Guides 11
Routes 123
Photos 818
Triplogs 257

62 male

Joined Jul 14 2011
Tucson, AZ

Tortolitas Loop, AZ

Hiking		Feb 27 2024
		Mountain_Rat • Triplogs 257

Hiking	17.58 Miles	3,570 AEG

Hiking	17.58 Miles	8 Hrs 20 Mns		2.22 mph
	3,570 ft AEG	24 Mns Break	12 LBS Pack

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Peak 4416 - Tortolita Mountains

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LindaAnn

Linda came up with this one and asked if I would like to tag along. With stats and weather in perfect alignment, I instantly signed on. Morning came and we hit the trail at 0700, with me somehow still sleeping. I started this hike trailing and basically held that position the rest of the day, just following Linda where ever it was that she went - much like a lost dog. Don't tell her, but if she would have somehow given me the slip, I'd still be out there trying to find my way back to the truck.
Back to the hike, it was with few exceptions perfect weather with very little direct sun and sufficient breeze. The trail in general gained elevation at a very pleasant rate - aside from this one part where Linda dragged me up some God forsaken, boulder heap. This is an interesting loop as you can see where you're going and where you've been the whole way, It's like a race track running around the inner perimeter of this big canyon. Though the mileage was on the longer side, the elevation was low enough that sniveling was minimal today. All in all just a really nice day out hiking; not too strenuous, not too easy, a nice area that is largely new to me, yakking with Linda. All good things.

Thanks Linda for the invite and the company. Top notch as always.

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

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1 archive

Mar 30 2023

trekkin_gecko

Guides 10
Routes 673
Photos 7,281
Triplogs 4,660

67 female

Joined Nov 17 2008
phoenix, az

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Mar 30 2023
		trekkin_gecko • Triplogs 4,660

Hiking	16.43 Miles	2,838 AEG

Hiking	16.43 Miles	6 Hrs 41 Mns	2.68 mph
	2,838 ft AEG	33 Mns Break

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LindaAnn

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

linda had not hiked in the tortolitas before, so we chose the super loop for our hike today
got going around 0830
did the loop clockwise, taking a break at the windmill about halfway
the fire damage is much less noticeable than two years ago
looked like it might rain for much of the hike but only a few tiny sprinkles
overcast, breezy at times, cool temps
we saw very few people
this is a great hike - good footing, good views and a variety of trails
scenic southern arizona terrain, with granite boulders, grasslands and lots of saguaros
plentiful wildflowers, including owl clover and chia
a highlight was linda spotting a gila monster on alamo springs trail

finished up mid afternoon to clearing skies
nice hiking with linda as always - thanks!

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hazhole

2 archives

Mar 30 2023

LindaAnn

Guides 110
Routes 2,246
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,600

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Mar 30 2023
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600

Hiking	16.57 Miles	2,766 AEG

Hiking	16.57 Miles	6 Hrs 44 Mns	2.69 mph
	2,766 ft AEG	35 Mns Break

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6 linked trail guides

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trekkin_gecko

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

All new ground for me today. Rainy drive down from the Valley, but cool and cloudy when we started around 0830. Started on Wild Burro, then up Upper Javelina. Steady climb, but not too steep, and in good condition. Flowers everywhere, which was the theme for the day.

Made our way up Wild Mustang, which was fun in the low clouds. East on Wild Burro again, where we took a break near the windmill, roughly the halfway point of the loop. The dam was neat, and the rock corral was impressive.

Another uphill climb on Loop Trail, but the giant switchbacks made the incline very subtle. Great views as we topped out on the loop, passing a crested saguaro somewhere along that stretch as the trail turned into Ridgeline. Chilly breeze and a few sprinkles through here as well.

Alamo Springs had the roughest tread of the day, but was still in good shape. Spotted a Gila Monster about halfway up the climb. The descent was welcome, and pleasant, and we finished up on Wild Burro.

All the trails were in great condition. An abundance of flowers with more varieties than I have seen elsewhere this spring. Great hike today, thanks for the suggestion, Kelly!

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Parry's Penstemon

Wildflowers Observation Substantial
Globemallow—orange & purple, lupine, poppies, chia, owl clover, penstemon, and a whole bunch more

_____________________

Stop crying and just go do the hike.

Oct 24 2022

fricknaley

Guides 93
Routes 397
Photos 4,984
Triplogs 4,124

49 male

Joined Jun 20 2003
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Run/Jog		Oct 24 2022
		fricknaley • Triplogs 4,124

Run/Jog	8.20 Miles	1,496 AEG

Run/Jog	8.20 Miles	1 Hour 51 Mns 30 Secs	4.62 mph
	1,496 ft AEG	5 Mns Break

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nice cool morning. felt decent. saw a herd of javelina at the first trail junction

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hi

Apr 18 2022

azdesertfather

Guides 16
Routes 81
Photos 1,269
Triplogs 1,144

51 male

Joined Apr 30 2008
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Apr 18 2022
		azdesertfather • Triplogs 1,144

Hiking	5.90 Miles	1,171 AEG

Hiking	5.90 Miles	2 Hrs 33 Mns	2.42 mph
	1,171 ft AEG	7 Mns Break

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Took my fiancée out today for another hike, since I had the morning off work. Was hitting 90 degrees by noon when we were getting off the trail, but it didn't seem too bad...maybe this summer's acclimation won't be as bad!

Wildflowers Observation Light
Ocotillo and palo verdes were most of the blooms I saw

_____________________

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." — Henry David Thoreau

Jan 18 2022

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Wild Burro Loop, AZ

Hiking		Jan 18 2022
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	13.63 Miles	2,031 AEG

Hiking	13.63 Miles	7 Hrs 11 Mns	1.99 mph
	2,031 ft AEG	21 Mns Break

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mamakatt22

It has been a couple years since I have been to the Tortolita Mountains and Ginny never has so we headed from the east side of town to the far northwest of Tucson. Arrived at Dove Mountain trail head at 9:00 thanks to a traffic jam on I10 in Tucson. The weather called for a 40% chance of about .1 inches of rain. Was clear the first half of the day with occasional light showers the last half. Was actually good hiking weather.

The trails in the Tortolita Mountains are well maintained with a crew working the Wild Burro Loop Trail. Nice job they were doing too. Other than the two trail crew workers we only saw 3 mountain bikers, not counting a couple of people along the wild Burro near Dove Mountain Resort. There was no water in any of the creeks and the springs were dry. Fire swept through the upper portion of the Ridgeline Trail last year but has recovered nicely. The grasses have come back and the only real evidence of the fire are a blacked carcasses of yucca. This is the time of year to do the Tortolita Mountains.

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Dec 22 2021

Jim

Guides 73
Routes 176
Photos 10,174
Triplogs 2,324

46 male

Joined Sep 08 2006

Tortolita Lasso Loop

Tortolita Lasso Loop

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Dec 22 2021
		Jim • Triplogs 2,324

Hiking	13.26 Miles	2,075 AEG

Hiking	13.26 Miles	5 Hrs 40 Mns		2.34 mph
	2,075 ft AEG		10 LBS Pack

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Pretty nice loop hike in the Tortolitas. Trails are all in good shape, and I was surprised to see Chuparosa in the upper basin right on the side of the trail. Lots of Chuparosa in the lower wash.

At Alamo Springs I was reading the sign about the location when I noticed there were no cottonwoods. In the photo, the cottonwood had some top die back. Well, they're all dead and gone. Maybe someone will replant in a wet period, but I suspect there may never be Alamos at Alamo Springs, again.

It was impressive to see 2 Crested Saguaro along the upper stretches. Not sure why this area has two. They are hard to miss.

This is a really nice mellow hike for the distance. Probably not one I would hike very often due to the 13+ miles, but it is very enjoyable. Also, not sure about the water at the tank, but I think if you filter it might be a viable source during hot months. The grassy area at the dam could also be a good backpack spot, if you enjoy that sort of thing.

Today was sunny to the north but hazy thick clouds south. It was also hot, or felt that way with middle to high 70s. Funny how high 60s and 70s can be hot in December if you have sun on you.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Chuparosa

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Javelina

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Wild Burro Tank

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Red chuparosa

	Wild Burro Tank	Gallon + per minute	Gallon + per minute
	Tanks are full. No flow, but if you can pump it, they can provide.

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2 archives

Feb 06 2021

SpiderLegs

Guides 2
Routes 10
Photos 42
Triplogs 893

58 male

Joined Jul 12 2012
Oro Valley, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Run/Jog		Feb 06 2021
		SpiderLegs • Triplogs 893

Run/Jog	13.20 Miles	1,790 AEG

Run/Jog	13.20 Miles	2 Hrs 45 Mns	4.80 mph
	1,790 ft AEG

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After last weekend's debacle I wanted to get in a half marathon run. Didn't have time to go back up to Oracle, so picked my local half marathon course. Went up Wild Burro and looped back around on the Ridgeline Trail along with some miles on the Alamo Springs Loop.

Chilly to start and just when I was getting warmed up, had to battle gusty winds for about an hour. Worst part of the run was bumping into mountain bikers that felt no need to yield and cursed at me for standing my ground. Ran into at least a dozen cyclists today and just a few real jerks.

Got back to the trailhead parking lot and was shocked. The entire lot was full, cars were circling the lot looking for spaces and some people were starting to park in the employee lot for the Ritz. Don't think I've ever seen the trailhead lot more than 75% full. Hope that most of this is from snowbirds and not a new trend.

_____________________

See my pics on Instagram @tucsonexplorer

Feb 24 2019

fricknaley

Guides 93
Routes 397
Photos 4,984
Triplogs 4,124

49 male

Joined Jun 20 2003
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Run/Jog		Feb 24 2019
		fricknaley • Triplogs 4,124

Run/Jog	13.10 Miles	1,923 AEG

Run/Jog	13.10 Miles	2 Hrs 42 Mns		4.91 mph
	1,923 ft AEG	2 Mns Break	4 LBS Pack

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gorgeous day out there. still some decent snow farther back on the ridgeline and loop. areas of slippery slop too!

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hi

Dec 30 2015

azdesertfather

Guides 16
Routes 81
Photos 1,269
Triplogs 1,144

51 male

Joined Apr 30 2008
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Dec 30 2015
		azdesertfather • Triplogs 1,144

Hiking	17.44 Miles	3,303 AEG

Hiking	17.44 Miles	5 Hrs 57 Mns	3.09 mph
	3,303 ft AEG	18 Mns Break

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9 linked trail guides

Cochie Canyon to Wild Burro Traverse

Lower Javelina Loop

Wild Mustang - Alamo Spring Loop

Wild Burro to Cochie Spring

Wild Burro Wash - Tortolita Mountains

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JuanJaimeiii

Mountain_Rat

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 went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." — Henry David Thoreau

3 archives

Feb 08 2014

azdesertfather

Guides 16
Routes 81
Photos 1,269
Triplogs 1,144

51 male

Joined Apr 30 2008
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Feb 08 2014
		azdesertfather • Triplogs 1,144

Hiking	17.40 Miles	3,375 AEG

Hiking	17.40 Miles	7 Hrs 10 Mns	2.78 mph
	3,375 ft AEG	55 Mns Break

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9 linked trail guides

Cochie Canyon to Wild Burro Traverse

Lower Javelina Loop