Loma Verde Trail Area, Saguaro National Park, Eastern Unit

Tucson,
Pima Co.,
Arizona

Hiking Trails:
Loma Verde Trail
Vanover Trail
Squeeze Pen Trail

Total Time: 2:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 5.4 Miles

Pros: Very scenic area
Cons: Very high park entrance fee

Hiking Partner: 
Yehudah Koblick

This was my first hike in Arizona. Prior to visiting a tradeshow in the afternoon, we went on this hike in the Eastern Unit of Saguaro National Park in the Rincon Mountain foothills. Rain was predicted for the afternoon, so we figured we would not hike up the mountain but rather at the bottom area where there are many trails and easy bailout options.

We entered the park at the main parking area, and took the Cactus Forest Loop Drive to the Loma Verde Trailhead area. This is along the northern part of Cactus Forest Loop Drive right before it bends southward. There area alot of trails in the area, and the supplied map at the park entrance doesn't cover most of the trails here. We took the Loma Verde Trail north, past the copper mine site, to the Vanover Trail, which we then took to the Squeeze Pen Trail, for a large loop. At the end of the Squeeze Pen Trail, we took the Loma Verde Trail south for a short distance back to the trailhear where our car was.

Map of the Route

Information Plaque at the Loma Verde Trailhead

Lush Desert Scene with Santa Catalina Mountains in the Background

Saguaro Cactus and Deep Blue Sky

Crossing a Brook with Flowing Water

Desert Plants and the Rincon Range

Yehudah Hiking in the Desert

Me in the Desert

Pretty Desert Scene

Loma Verde Mine Site

Yehudah on the Loma Verde Trail

Large Saguaro Cactus

Me on the Loma Verde Trail

Yehudah on the Loma Verde Trail

Interesting Saguaro Cactus

More Sonoran Desert Scenes 

Classic Saguaro Cactus

Freeman Homestead Trail Saguaro National Park

Eastern Section,
Pima County,
Arizona

Hiking Trails:
Freeman Homestead Trail

Total Time: 0:35 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.3 miles
Level of Difficulty: Very easy
Level of Recommendation: Recommended for a short and easy hike in Saguaro National Park
Points Of Interest: Beautiful Sonoran Desert Scenery and Cacti



Google Map Link


I was in Tucson, Arizona attending a trade show for business, and although I was very very busy during the show I still managed this short hike in Saguaro National Park. This was a very short hike for my standards; I wish I had the time for a longer hike, but I take whatever time I could get to hike.

This was my first time in the eastern portion of the park, so I was unfamiliar with the area and did not even have the time to adequately plan a trail. I drove into the park by the Visitor Center, got a map, and intended to take a small part of the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail up to a vista and then turn around. However, I ended up on the very short Freeman Homestead loop trail because I parked too soon along the road.

I took the trail, which walks past very tranquil Sonoran Desert scenery with beautiful wild Saguaro's and other cacti. The trail goes down a small hill to a dry stream bed, along the side of the ridge, and then loops back up again. After I finished the hike, I took the Cactus Forest Drive loop road around for a 20 minute scenic drive.

Map of the route

Sonoran Desert Scenery
Note the rich flora and Santa Catalina Mountains in background

Another similar shot

 

Looking  up the Mountain

 

An interesting  twin Saguaro

Picture-perfect Saguaro

Saguaro's with the Rincon Mountains starting their ascent

Another nice cactus shot

Baby Saguaro starting to sprout