Tanque Verde Peak

Tanque Verde Peak is a remote summit on Tanque Verde Ridge in the Rincon Mountains, in Saguaro’s east district. This is a serious backcountry hike, not a roadside stop. From Javelina Picnic Area, the peak lies 8.7 miles along a strenuous trail, with about 4,000 feet of elevation gain. Round-trip estimates range around 17 to 17.6 miles and 4,700 to 5,025 feet of gain. The numbers vary, but this is a demanding full-day outing. A short Class 2 scramble leads onto the summit block.

The trail reaches the ridge after roughly three-quarters of a mile, where views open south, west and north toward Tucson and surrounding ranges. The peak stays hidden for much of the undulating ridge walk. Along the way, look for a crested saguaro around mile 2.5 and a broad exposed rock surface hikers call the Dome near mile 3. Vegetation changes from desert scrub to grass and shrubs, then trees, as the route climbs. Juniper Basin, about 6.9 miles from the trailhead, is the backcountry campground and an overnight option; camping requires an advance reservation.

The summit is a rocky high point with views toward Tucson, Mount Lemmon and Rincon Peak. The last scramble is short, but it comes after a long climb and crosses uneven rock, so save energy for the descent. For a photo, use the pale stacked summit outcrops with nearby rock and scrub in the foreground; the foreground helps show the scale and texture of the summit rather than turning it into a distant skyline.

Tanque Verde Ridge is made largely of mylonite, rock deformed when this part of the crust stretched and sheared about 20 to 30 million years ago. A large slab moved northwest along a detachment fault, leaving the deeply altered lower rocks that form the ridge. The Rincons are a Basin and Range mountain block, and their high country rises from the Sonoran Desert into woodland and forest communities.

Start early and carry all the water and food you need. Summer heat can be dangerous, so avoid the hottest part of the day. Stay off exposed ridges during thunderstorms, and watch for monsoon flash floods from July through September. Natural water is seasonal and should be treated. Parking, a restroom and picnic tables are at Javelina Picnic Area, the trailhead; the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center is about 1.5 miles away.