Five-Star Trails: Tucson

Rob Rachowiecki was raised in London and climbed his first mountain by accident, while on a school biology field course in Scotland. After a day of dissecting newts, he walked to the top of a windswept hill behind the outdoor studies center, looked around at miles of startling wilderness, and had an “I’m the king of the world!” revelation. Rob crossed the pond in 1974, planning on traveling around the world but ending up living and traveling throughout the Americas, from Alaska to Argentina. He has authored hiking and climbing guides to Central America and the Central Andes, as well as travel guides to Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and the American Southwest for publishers ranging from Lonely Planet to National Geographic. He has been an active member of the Society of American Travel Writers since 1997. From 1983 to 2008, Rob worked as an adventure-travel guide, leading treks in the Andes and adventures on the Amazon. Since 1990 he has lived in Tucson, where he earned a master’s degree at the University of Arizona and where he enjoys the area’s varied ethnic restaurants, theatres, and outdoor music festivals. He is often found hiking the many desert, canyon, and mountain trails surrounding Tucson, following the seasonal changes, and usually doing a spot of bird-watching, as Brits are wont to do. After earning a respiratory therapy degree in 2006, Rob worked three days a week in local rural community hospitals until he retired in 2016. Now he travels the world, often accompanied by his partner, Audrey. His wanderlust has led to a four-month backpacking trip to Southeast Asia, visits to the lesser-known countries of Europe, and several adventures in various African countries. To avoid baggage fees, he wears hiking boots on international flights.

• Overview MapOverview Map KeyDedicationAcknowledgmentsPrefaceRecommended HikesIntroductionSaguaro National Park East and Eastern TucsonSaguaro National Park East: Cactus Forest–Mica View LoopSaguaro National Park East: Douglas Spring and Bridal Wreath Falls TrailsSaguaro National Park East: Freeman Homestead TrailSaguaro National Park East: Garwood Dam LoopSaguaro National Park East: Tanque Verde Ridge TrailTanque Verde Falls TrailsZimmerman Trailhead to Three BridgesSabino CanyonBlackett’s Ridge TrailHutch’s PoolPhoneline TrailSabino Canyon RoadSeven Falls on Bear Canyon TrailMount LemmonBabad Do’ag TrailIncinerator Ridge TrailMarshall Gulch LoopMeadow Trail LoopMolino Basin TrailWilderness of Rock LoopSanta Catalina FoothillsCatalina State Park: Nature and Birding LoopsCatalina State Park: Romero Canyon Trail to Romero PoolsFinger Rock Trail to Mount KimballLinda Vista LoopPima Canyon Trail to Mount KimballPontatoc Ridge TrailVentana Canyon to Maiden Pools and The WindowSaguaro National Park West, Tucson Mountains and Tortolita MountainsSaguaro National Park West: Hugh Norris Trail to Wasson PeakSaguaro National Park West: Sweetwater Trail to Wasson PeakSaguaro National Park West: Thunderbird LoopSentinel PeakTucson Mountain Park: Brown Mountain LoopTucson Mountain Park: Yetman TrailWild Burro LoopMadera Canyon AreaBog Springs–Kent Spring LoopDutch John Spring TrailNature Trail and Madera Creek TrailOld Baldy Trail to Mount WrightsonSuper Trail to Mount WrightsonMadera Canyon: Wheelchair-Accessible LoopsAppendix A: Outdoor RetailersAppendix B: Map ResourcesAppendix C: Hiking ClubsIndexAbout the Author