route-highlight
route-highlight
route-highlight
route-highlight
route-highlight
route-highlight
+ 56

Hugh Norris Trail to Wasson Peak

Hiking Trail

Hard
9.66 mi
2,526 ft
The most scenic route to the top of Wasson Peak, and perhaps in all of Saguaro West.

Wasson Peak is the highest point in Saguaro National Park West, and of the handful of trails that reach its summit, Hugh Norris is the longest and most gradual. It’s arguably the most scenic route as well, because it follows a long, undulating ridgeline with panoramic views and photogenic rock formations. Hiking all the way to Wasson Peak is not necessary to appreciate the beauty of Hugh Norris Trail, however. In fact, most people go only a few miles out and back, rather than the full 10-mile roundtrip to the summit. The trail gains the ridgeline only 1 mile from the start, and anywhere beyond there makes a rewarding turnaround point. The trailhead is a small parking area on the Bajada Loop Drive, and the path goes uphill right away. It’s gradual at first, but then ascends a ravine on tight switchbacks. The gradient does not remain so steep, however; it mellows after this first intense mile, and the entire trail is well constructed with stone steps to aid the persistent uphill. The ridgeline is home to all the same cacti as the cactus forest below, but with subtle differences that come with elevation gain. The major scenery change is in the terrain, which is steep and rock-strewn. The path winds among granite boulders and towers crowning the ridgeline. In several places, the trail traverses craggy sub-peaks of the ridge to avoid climbing over them. Just over 2 miles into the hike, the ridge trends downhill for a while, toward a broad saddle where Sendero Esperanza Trail crosses Hugh Norris Trail. It then turns upward again, and soon breaks above 4,000 feet elevation. The pitch remains gradual until mile 4.25, where an imposing shoulder of the mountain necessitates another set of switchbacks. Atop those, however, the remaining ridgeline is relatively easy, and soon reaches the 4,687-foot summit of Wasson Peak. Sources: Written by Jesse Weber
Created By
Strava Routes

Route and Elevation

Segments

NameDistanceElev. Diff.Avg. Grade
Hugh Norris Trail Climb0.89 mi636 ft13.5%
Hugh Norris to Sandero Esperanza Junction2.68 mi1,066 ft7.1%
Hugh to Wasson Peak4.91 mi2,064 ft7.9%
Hugh to King Canyon Junction4.87 mi1,946 ft7.5%
Hugh Norris Trail Climb0.39 mi203 ft9.9%
Trail Junction to Wasson2.16 mi1,020 ft8.9%
King Canyon Trail to Wasson Peak0.31 mi85 ft5.1%
Hugh Norris Trail Climb0.20 mi144 ft12.7%
Wasson to Hugh4.76 mi-2,028 ft-8.1%
Hugh Norris Trail Climb0.34 mi171 ft9.4%