ARIZONA-Desert Trails
![Image]() WALKING THE WORLD®
Tucked away in its undeveloped recesses, Arizona has a wealth of beautiful hiking country, and we’re going to see it! During our eight days we will explore the world famous Desert Museum near Tucson, walk among cacti as tall as telephone poles in Saguaro National Park, explore a variety of canyons and mountains, sample the area’s renowned and authentic Mexican cuisine, and tour one of the world’s largest copper mines.
Included in our trek will be visits to the historically famous areas of Bisbee and Tombstone, Madera Canyon with its golden eagles and hummingbirds, and Coronado and Chiricahua National Monuments. It’s your chance to enjoy the warm, dry days of the Sonoran Desert at their most beautiful.
ITINERARY (May be changed at the discretion of the trip leader):
Day 1 Tucson, Arizona Our tour begins in the city of Tucson, Arizona. Tucson is defined geographically by four mountain ranges. The Santa Catalina’s are found to the north, the Rincons to the east, the Santa Ritas to the south, and the small Tucson Mountains finish the border on the west. Orientation & welcome dinner (D) for all!
Day 2 Saguaro National Park Now that we know how our boots fit and have adjusted to our new environment, we’ll head out for a full day of walking in Saguaro National Park, home of the towering and majestic saguaro cactus. We’ll also be treated to the flowering displays of the ocotillo cactus with their flame-shaped orange flowers, the yellow blossoms of the paloverde trees, and the peach and yellow flowers of the well-known prickly pear cactus. (B, L = Breakfast & Lunch Included)
Day 3 Sabino Canyon An oasis in the middle of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Sabino Canyon offers us a moderate hike through desert, along a snow-fed stream, and through a woodland of willow, sycamore, and ash. A delightful experience. (B,L)
Day 4 San Xavier del Bac Mission, Patagonia, Sonoita Creek Nature Conservancy, and Tombstone Our morning begins with a short visit to the San Xavier del Bac Mission just south of Tucson. Built over 200 years ago, the mission has been called “the most beautiful man-made object in America Deserta.” After a hearty lunch on the village green, and some time for visiting the many galleries and quaint shops in the small town of Patagonia, we’ll head to Sonoita Creek. Our 3-mile walk takes us over an old railroad bed and along gentle Sonoita Creek. World-renowned for its birding, this beautiful riparian area is a lush oasis in the midst of the Sonoran Desert. In the 1880’s, Tombstone was known as the West’s most violent town. Although money from the surrounding silver mines helped make headlines in Tombstone, the incident most people remember is the shootout at the OK Corral in 1891. We’ll spend some time exploring historic sites like the OK Corral and the Cochise County Courthouse, built in 1882, before heading to the historic Copper Queen hotel in Bisbee. (B,L,D)
Day 5 Bisbee and Coronado National Monument Copper mining in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s made Bisbee the most prosperous settlement in the Arizona territory. It wasn’t a pretty business, the miners often suffered under harsh conditions, and mining came to an end in 1975. You’ll enjoy your visit to the underground Copper Queen Mine. Our walk today will be in Coronado National Monument, located on the Mexican border near the southern end of the Huachuca Mountains. We’ll begin our hike near Montezuma Pass, elevation 6575 feet, where we’ll enjoy views of the San Rafael Valley and the Patagonia and Santa Rita Mountains. Bring your binoculars to glimpse some of the over 165 species of birds that can be seen here.(B, L)
Day 6 Chiricahua National Monument and Cave Creek Canyon Scenery, wildlife and history are plentiful in this area. The Chiricahua Mountains were the ancestral homelands of the Chiricahua Apaches and their famous leader Cochise. Over 111 miles of developed trails in the Chiricahua Wilderness will make it easy for us to explore the riches of this area. (B, L)
Day 7 Madera Canyon Our walk today takes us through scenic Madera Canyon, known nationally for its birdlife, its near-perennial stream, and a mixed forest of hardwoods and conifers. During our time here, we’ll see prickly pear cactus, saw-edged agaves, Emory oaks, sycamores, Arizona madrones, and Apache pines to name but a few examples of the vegetative cover found in this area. If you enjoy birding, keep a lookout for a variety of species, including the acorn woodpecker, solitary vireo, Mexican jay, black-headed grosbeak, red-shafted flicker, western tanager, sulfur-bellied flycatcher, and Mexican junco. A wonderful day of walking. 4-6 miles. Tonight we will enjoy a fabulous farewell dinner in Tucson. (B,L,D)
Day 8 Flights Home You may book your flight any time. (B)
THE DETAILS
Dates: March 14 – 20, 2011
Land Cost: $2295.00 (U.S. Funds)
Single Supplement $400.00 (U.S. Funds)
Lodging: Motels
Trip Begins: Tucson Airport (2 p.m.)
Trip Ends: Tucson Airport
Days cover 4 – 9 miles with uphill sections on unpaved but well defined hiking trails
WHAT WE PROVIDE:
Walking The World® experienced guides
Meals as listed
All ground transportation while on tour
All admission fees to scheduled stops
Unique and original Journal of your trip
Walking The World® T-shirt or hat
Loads of good fun, humor, and companionship
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