Backpacking Santa Catalina Range - Palisades, Butterfly Ridge and the Wilderness of Rock 4 Day Loop

I have returned!
This was a 4 day trip in May of 2023 starting & ending at the Gordon Hirabayashi Trailhead sitting at middle elevation in the Santa Catalina Range near Tucson, AZ. This route uses the Arizona Trail as the southern leg of the loop. From the AZT I headed down into the East Fork Sabino Creek (dry), and then made the arduous 3500 ft. climb up the Palisade ridge. Camped out in an intense thunderstorm on night 1. On the second day I kept heading upward into the pines. Cresting over Mt. Bigelow, I hiked the Butterfly Trail along the north side of the range. BIG views. Grand scenery. Eventually I was able to connect to Marshall Gulch; a seemingly perennial flowing creek. I followed it to the Wilderness of Rock where I camped night 2. This campsite was off-trail, and probably in my top 10 campsites for the views alone - I've stayed at that same spot 3 times now. I made my way down back into the desert by following the AZT to Romero pass (more big views) and camped at Hutch's Pool - another place I've camped a bunch of times. Frankly it's the only place to find water out here below 5000 ft. for much of the year. Besides the lightning on the first night it was a great trip out.
I'm trying to get back into editing after about a year off. I've been on again off again working on 4 videos (including this one) from the last year. Call it burnout, or just a change in priorities. I had some injuries that kept me from doing more of what I'd call "epic" trips in the latter half of 2023 - except for a nice 5 day fall color loop of the Gila West & Middle Forks (not filmed). I'm getting back into it, and I'm filming as well. Summer 2024 has a lot in store and I expect to release videos regularly again for the foreseeable future. Thank for Watching!
Timestamps:
(0:00) Intro
(1:43) Gordon Hirabayashi Trailhead
(11:23 ) East Fork Sabino Descent
(14:50) Palisades Climb
(31:25) Day 2 Palisades
(39:16) Butterfly
(45:31) Novio Spring... I think...?
(49:29) Map
(50:06) Sunset / Marshall Gulch
(57:07) My favorite campsite in the Catalinas
(1:00:25) Day 3 Wilderness of Rock to Romero Pass
(1:14:26) Romero Pass to Hutch's Pool

[@JaretOutdoors]

Some great views in this video! Thanks for sharing.

[@franksplan8920]

You've been missed. Glad to see you're uploading videos again.😃

[@Arizooner]

he's baaaack....love the vids

[@savanajatib4164]

Thank God you posted this so glad your back making great videos. Me and my husband love watching all of the videos and getting inspired to visit all the cool places you hike

[@AnthonyNovelli3rd]

Some of my favorite trails. Magical to revisit. TY!

[@user-qg9fj4yj9g]

I’m glad you’re posting again, my favorite hiker , stay safe 😁👍

[@WildlandExplorer]

Thank you, too kind!

[@rasberryhedge]

So glad you're back! I love the simplicity of your videos, just sounds of nature and your footsteps and just the right amount of commentary. Although it sounds like it was pretty brutal to hike, viewing it was nothing but relaxation and awe.

[@timpayne5863]

Sure glad you are back, missed your epic trip videos. Good luck with the planned hikes this summer and much thoughts and hopes for an injury free year. Welcome back!

[@dr.maturin4648]

Great scenery! I loved the vivid blue skies and the Wilderness of Rocks! Reminds me of the Gila at 7,000 feet. That black rattlesnake would have shaken me up! Good to see you back on the trail!

[@WildlandExplorer]

Very similar indeed. The more I hike in SE arizona the more it reminds me of western NM.

[@Amyas.Miranda]

Here you are 😍😍 yay

[@vaguelyaware67]

Dude your videos are so great! Fantastic landscape shots and killer soundtrack.

[@tangenttrails]

Ruggedly beautiful. I love the diversity of the area. Thanks for sharing!✌️

[@Sean-fv5lq]

this man can walk😊

[@timetraveler1128]

Back! Thanks!

[@MJnNB]

I too am glad you’re back. I actually went to your site to review an older video for a trip I’m planning and alas…here’s a new one.

[@FishsticksinAZ]

It’s been awhile! Glad you’re back. Thought maybe a cliff or a supersized jumping cholla got you.

[@WildlandExplorer]

Jumping chollas get me all the time but none have yet been fatal

[@dmn3773]

Welcome back man! Very cyberpunk 2k77 intro music. Look forward to the video.

[@WildlandExplorer]

Ha thanks! My thinking was more of Fallout 2 soundtrack but that kinda ages me.

[@dmn3773]

@@WildlandExplorer that makes a bit more sense now thet you say that. Haven’t thought about that game in a long time. Good video man! Lots of AEG!

[@WildlandExplorer]

If the quads aren't burning are you really hiking?? lol

[@rickvanderheide3392]

Glad you're back. Keep healthy. We're heading down to the southwest in about a week!

[@WildlandExplorer]

Enjoy it! You will be rewarded for your putting up with the summer heat with absolutely zero crowds on the the trails!

[@taylorbrady1424]

Beautiful landscape -- was in Sabino and Saguaro Park (east) back around Thanksgiving, but we had the whole family including much older folks with us so anything longer than a couple miles was off the table. This makes me want to pay another visit to Tucson. Oh, and thanks for doing without background music other than during the intro. Hearing the birds and wind and water, and the crunch of steps on dirt and rock is so much better than "spiritual" washes of synthesizer.

[@WildlandExplorer]

Absolutely, that is the way forward for my channel, not going to overlay music on anything except maybe intros anymore. If you get the chance to come back out - there are better spots than Sabino Canyon that will see almost no crowds. If you like a good day hike with big views, check out Bug springs trail. It's near the start point of this video just a little bit further up the highway.

[@peteware5551]

Just returned from a week in Tucson myself! Grew up in the Catalina foothills. Haven't been up to Mt. Lemon in decades. Did some day hiking up Finger Rock trail and to Seven Falls from Sabino Canyon. Your route really showcased the diversity of the range! I live in Idaho now and hike in the Sawtooths and White Clouds regularly. The Catalinas are every bit as rugged, maybe even more so, plus 🌵🌵🌵!!! Love watching your hikes in the old stomping grounds. ✌🏽

[@WildlandExplorer]

Would love to visit the Sawtooths one day (how jealous I am!) It's just very, very far from Tucson and I don't fly for hikes. Thanks for watching!

[@blackbeard308]

You remind me of the most elusive man in North America dag never die easy 🎬📽️😎

[@WildlandExplorer]

I hope to be as fit at that age!

[@navigator8222]

Call off the search party!!!

[@WildlandExplorer]

Hahaha thanks!