Arizona · Hiking

Golden Gate Mountain Loop

Golden Gate Mountain LoopPhoto: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
15.0 mi
round trip
222 ft
climb
3,197 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Nov–Apr
best months

The Golden Gate Mountain Loop is a 15-mile out-and-back hike in Tucson Mountain Park, Arizona, on county land. The route rises from a low point of about 2,600 feet to a high of about 3,200 feet, with a total elevation gain of 222 feet. It is a hard hike, and the trail is open to both horses and bikes. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Tucson show March highs around 75°F and October highs around 86°F, while June and July average near 100°F. The trail sits among a cluster of other outdoor spots. Chaparral and the Golden Gate Trail are both within a quarter mile, and Gate's Pass, a climbing area, is about 0.3 miles away. The Ringtail Trail is roughly 0.8 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Nov–Apr

    Best time to visit Golden Gate Mountain Loop

    Best months: November–April. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      66° / 41°

      6 wet

    2. Feb

      68° / 42°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      75° / 47°

      4 wet

    4. Apr

      82° / 52°

      3 wet

    5. May

      91° / 60°

      1 wet

    6. Jun

      100° / 70°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      99° / 75°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      98° / 73°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      94° / 69°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      86° / 58°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      74° / 48°

      3 wet

    12. Dec

      65° / 40°

      6 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Tucson 11 W, AZ, 3.6 mi away at 2,733 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors