DOUGLAS SPRING to BRIDAL WREATH FALLS
Saguaro National Park, Rincon Mountain District
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| Bridal Wreath Falls: Feb. 1, 2013 |
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| Douglas Spring Trail |
Sometimes, timing is everything. This is particularly true in the desert where spectacular
waterfalls appear like raging liquid phantoms after periods of rain, only to
dissolve into trickles and knat-loving muddy drop pools within days. One of the most accessible transient
water shows happens in Saguaro National Park East. Almost anybody with a pair of decent hiking shoes, a few
liters of drinking water and a spare afternoon can marvel at the wonder of an
ephemeral desert water chute by way of the Douglas Spring Trail to Bridal
Wreath Falls. Because it's so easy
to access, the trailhead is a busy place, especially on weekends. A shaded kiosk marks the trail gateway
into a sunny land of cactus and scrub backed with views of Tucson’s Rincon and
Santa Catalina Mountains, which tower to over 8,000 feet. The route is tantamount to a 2.5-mile
staircase. It’s a constant and sometime steep climb through a landscape that morphs
from classic desert into a massive grassland with the feel of an African
savannah. Although there are no
wildebeasts or giraffes roaming these plains, it’s prime habitat for mountain
lions. A sign posted at the trailhead
warns of numerous recent mountain lion sightings and as of January 30, 2013, the
Three Tanks Trail, which connects with Douglas Springs, is closed due to their
high activity in that area. In
addition to the big cats, javalina, rabbits, and deer share the wilds with gila
monsters, raptors and desert tortoises.
The turn off for the short hike to the falls shows up at the 2.3-mile
point. Here, surrounded by miles of shadeless, mesquite-dotted prairie, the
only clue that a waterfall is nearby is the park service sign pointing the way.
A mild descent leads to a grotto
of polished stone where a mild boulder scramble is required to get to the
50-foot cascade plunging over bare rock like a wind blown ribbon. Alas, the falls were more like a dripping
faucet on our February 1, 2013 visit, however, they are known to rage like a white
water river after heavy rains and during high snow-melt season.
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| Snow on the Rincon Mountains |
LENGTH: 5.2
miles roundtrip
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 2745' - 3827'
DOGS: sadly, canine hikers are not allowed on Saguaro NP
trails.
FACILITIES: none
FEE: no fee at this trailhead
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX:
137 miles one way
GETTING THERE:
From Phoenix, travel south on I10 to Tucson. Take exit 257 at Speedway Blvd and head
east (go left). Follow Speedway
Blvd 17.5 miles to where it dead-ends at the Douglas Spring Trailhead. Roads are paved all the way.
INFO & MAP: Saguaro National Park
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