DOUGLAS SPRING to BRIDAL WREATH FALLS



DOUGLAS SPRING to BRIDAL WREATH FALLS


Saguaro National Park, Rincon Mountain District


Bridal Wreath Falls


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. 


Rincon Mountain views on Douglas Spring Trail

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 and area trails are sometimes closed when their activity is high.  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 moderate boulder scramble is required to get to the
50-foot cascade plunging over bare rock like a wind blown ribbon. Rainfall and snow melt dictate whether the falls will be  barely a trickle or a raging white water deluge on any particular day.




Bridal Wreath Falls grotto






View of Tucson from Douglas Spring Trail

LENGTH:  5.2
miles roundtrip


RATING: moderate


ELEVATION: 2745' - 3827'


DOGS: canine hikers are not allowed on Saguaro NP
trails.


FACILITIES: none


FEE: no fee at this trailhead


GETTING THERE:


From Phoenix, travel south on Interstate 10 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


http://www.nps.gov/sagu/planyourvisit/upload/new-hike-in-word-pg-2-map.pdf

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