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WILD BURRO TRAIL
Tortolita Mountains, Marana
A beautifully landscaped drive through groomed communities
surrounding the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain resort sets the tone for this posh
hike in the Tortolita Mountains north of Tucson. The elegant Wild Burro
trailhead is wrapped in colorful plantings and features white-glove clean restrooms,
a shaded picnic table and a map kiosk.
Two enormous granite monoliths with mineral-green patinas add a
finishing, regal cache to an impeccably designed threshold to pleasant, (but
not too wild) hiking.
Access to the Wild Burro Trail--which serves as a backbone for the nine routes of the Tortolita Mountain system—begins with a descent into a wash and a short trek to the trail proper. Turn left here and hike a half-mile north (in full view of resort guests lounging on their balconies) to a major hub junction. Here, another map kiosk and a rainbow of color-coded arrows
help with navigation. Turn left again to stay on Wild Burro---the
"purple" trail--and follow strategically placed signs as the trail
skips across grainy substrates into a canyon bend that gradually closes in on
filtered shade of ironwood thickets and secret finds such as rock art etched
into a jumble of boulders near the junction for the Lower Javelina Trail. At 2.2 miles, the path makes a sharp
left up an embankment, emerging at the ruins of masonry "line shack"
and concrete basin. The trail continues by the basin, heading steeply uphill
over rocky terrain to a scenic lookout area, another petroglyph site and a
short descent to Alamo Spring. The spring is a popular turnaround point for
many hikers; however, the trail continues into Tortolita Mountain Park with
several loop options for longer return routes.
LENGTH: 2.8 miles one-way to Alamo Spring OR 6.3 miles one
way entire trail
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 2810' - 3100'/3920'
GETTING THERE: 14810 N. Secret Springs Drive, Marana. From Phoenix, go south on I10 to Tangerine Road exit 240, go 4.9 miles east to Dove Mtn. Blvd. turn left and continue 4.5 miles to a traffic circle. Turn right through the circle and and pass the Ritz-Carlton gatehouse. Trailhead is less than a mile up the road. There are no fees.
GETTING THERE: 14810 N. Secret Springs Drive, Marana. From Phoenix, go south on I10 to Tangerine Road exit 240, go 4.9 miles east to Dove Mtn. Blvd. turn left and continue 4.5 miles to a traffic circle. Turn right through the circle and and pass the Ritz-Carlton gatehouse. Trailhead is less than a mile up the road. There are no fees.
INFO & MAP: Town of Marana
