#HIKEMARANA
YOUR RESOURCE FOR HIKING, EVENTS AND TRAIL LOCATIONS IN MARANA
Wild Burro Trailhead
Preserve Trailhead
DOG POLICY ON MARANA TRAILS:
Dogs are welcome on a Marana Trail system if they are leashed and picked up after. Learn more about #MaranaDogLife HERE.
UPCOMING Outdoor REcreation Programs
Call 520-382-1950 for more information or to sign up by phone.
Activities are subject to cancellation due to weather or low enrollment.
About the Tortolita Trails
Cochie, Wild Burro and Ruelas Canyons cut through the southwest end of the Tortolita Mountains, an unassuming but rugged range just a half-hour drive north of Tucson, Arizona. A trailhead at Dove Mountain, in the Town of Marana, leads northeast into Wild Burro Canyon, where it connects to trails that trace the crest above Cochie Canyon to the northwest or delve into neighboring terrain to the north and east.
These 29 miles of trails, which cross easements on a patchwork of private, town, county and state land, were constructed starting in 2004 in a cooperative venture by the Town of Marana, Pima County and the Arizona State Land Department. Expansion of the trail system continues today. The northern and eastern ends of this trail system enter Pima County’s 3,100-acre Tortolita Mountain Park. To the south, Marana’s 2,400-acre Tortolita Preserve harbors another nine miles of trails. The Dove Mountain Community Trail borders Dove Mountain Boulevard and adds another seven miles. Together, these trails and the ground they cross constitute a spectacular natural space open to southern Arizona residents and visitors. Here, trails suitable for hiking, biking and equestrian activities offer magnificent vistas, geological curiosities and the distinct life forms of the Sonoran Desert to all who wish to explore this unforgettable landscape.
Hike Levels
A = 10 mi or more with elevation gain >2,000'
B = 6-10 mi with elevation gain of 1,000' to 2,000'
C = 3-5 mi with elevation gain <1,000'
D = <3 mi with elevation gain <500'
Loop Hike Around Rims of Wild Burro Canyon
Level A
Wild Burro Trail to Upper Javelina Trail - 1.5 mi
Upper Javelina Trail to the Wild Mustang Trail - 0.9 mi
Wild Mustang Trail to the Wild Burro Trail - 4.0 mi
Wild Burro Trail to Alamo Spring Trail - 0.4 mi
Alamo Spring Trail back to Wild Burro Trail - 3.7 mi
Wild Burro Trail to Trailhead - 1.5 mi
Total miles = 12.0 with 1,330 foot elevation gain
Loop Hike on the Lower Javelina Trail
Level C
Wild Burro Trail to Alamo Spring Trail - 1.5 mi
Alamo Spring Trail to East Lower Javelina Trail - 0.3 mi
East Lower Javelina Trail until it drops back down & crosses Wild Burro Wash - 0.9 mi
West Lower Javelina Trail to the Wild Burro Trail - 0.7 mi
Wild Burro Trail to Trailhead - 1.7 mi
Total miles = 5.1 with 370 foot elevation gain
Wild Burro Canyon Trail to Alamo Spring
Level B-
Wild Burro Trailto Wild Burro Canyon Trail - 1.5 mi
Wild Burro Canyon Trail that runs adjacent to the west side of the wash - 0.8 mi
Wild Burro Canyon Trail that runs through the wash to the old stone line shack - 0.5 mi
Wild Burro Trail up to Alamo Spring - 1.0 mi
Return the same way
Total miles = 7.2 with 795 foot elevation gain
Loop Hike Along East Rim of Canyon to Alamo Spring
Level B
Wild Burro Trail to Alamo Spring Trail - 1.5 mi
Alamo Spring Trail past Lower Javelina & Alamo Spring Spur Trails to Alamo Spring - 2.9 mi
Wild Burro Trail from Alamo Spring down to the old stone line shack - 1.0 mi
Wild Burro Trail that runs through wash to Wild Burro Trail that runs on west side of wash - 0.5 mi
Wild Burro Trail back to Trailhead - 2.4 mi
Total miles = 8.2 with 1,145 foot elevation gain
Loop Hike Along West Rim of Canyon to Alamo Spring
Level A- or B
Wild Burro Trail to Upper Javelina Trail - 1.5 mi
Upper Javelina Trail to the Wild Mustang Trail - 0.9 mi
Wild Mustang Trail north past the Cochie Spring Trail to the Wild Burro Trail - 4.0 mi
Wild Burro Trail to Alamo Spring - 0.4 mi
Wild Burro Trail from Alamo Spring down to the old stone line shack - 1.0 mi
Wild Burro Trail that runs through wash to Wild Burro Trail that runs on west side of the wash - 0.5 mi
Wild Burro Trail back to the Trailhead - 2.4 mi
Total miles = 10.4 with 1,330 foot elevation gain
Cochie Spring Trail
Level A
Wild Burro Trail to the Upper Javelina Trail - 1.5 mi
Upper Javelina Trail to the Wild Mustang Trail - 0.9 mi
Wild Mustang Trail to the Wild Burro Trail to the Cochie Spring Trail Junction - 0.4 mi
Cochie Spring Trail to the Remains of Dam just past the Windmill - 3.2 mi
Return the same way
Total miles = 12.0 with 645 foot elevation gain
Loop Hike on the Upper Javelina Trail
Level C
Hike on Dove Mountain Blvd. from the Wild Burro Trailhead to round about then north to the Upper Javelina Trail - 0.6 mi
Upper Javelina Trail to the Wild Mustang Trail - 2.0 mi
Upper Javelina Trail to Wild Burro Trail - 0.9 mi
Wild Burro Trail back to the Trailhead - 1.6 mi
Total miles = 5.1 with 490 foot elevation gain
Tortolita Perserve Trail
Tortolita Preserve Loop
Level B
Hike begins at State Land/Moore Road Trailhead
East Boundary Trail along Heritage Highlands & other developments - 2.7 mi
North Boundary Trail along The Gallery Golf Course - 3.5 mi
West Boundary Trail along State Land Trust - 1.5
South Boundary Trail along State Trust Land & the continuation of Moore Road - 1.5 mi
Total miles = 9.2 with 475 foot elevation gain
BIRDING
Southern Arizona is known as one of the premier bird hot spots in the U.S.
There are several different micro-habitat types within the Town of Marana, each with its own suite of bird species. The Tortolita and Tucson Mountains are located in the Upper Sonoran Desert Scrub, where golden eagles and other species nests.
MONSOON SEASON - HIKING TIPS
Hiking during the summer can be a fun and rewarding experience. However, monsoon season can be a dangerous time out on the trails. Keep these safety tips in mind during this time of year, and know that sometimes staying home is your best bet.
Check the Weather Reports Before Heading Out
In higher elevations, storms tend to hit from mid-afternoon into the evening, offering a window of time in the morning to plan a hike. And while this is common, it is not always the case. So checking the weather beforehand should be at the top of your list in terms of safety.
Know Your Trail
With the onset of sudden downpours and the amount of lightning often associated with monsoon season, it is important to know your surroundings. In terms of flash floods, canyons should be avoided. Even storms that are miles away and out of sight can become problematic — and often life-threatening — as increased levels of water enter the canyon carrying debris at rapid speeds.
Stay Alert
This one goes for any time you are out on the trails, but especially during monsoon season. With the amount of lighting that is often associated with these storms, it is particularly important to stay alert. Lightning can strike up to 10 miles from the center of a storm. This means, if you can hear thunder, you are within striking range. Keep an eye on clouds building in the distance and listen for thunder. It is important to have an escape plan in place if clouds begin to darken and/or carry lightning.
Wear the Right Gear
Choose synthetic base layers and quick-dry products that provide ease in mobility. In terms of socks, high-cushion wool or wool blend will help in preventing blistering and keeping your feet comfortable and “dry." Here in the desert, light rain gear (in terms of jackets and pants) works great. Additionally, layering when possible will help keep you comfortable.
CONTACT US
Marana Parks & Recreation Department
Phone: (520) 382-1950 | Email: marana.parks@maranaAZ.gov
