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Westward Look Resort is right in the heart of prime country for hiking and mountain biking. Set in the desert foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains,
you can choose from short, easy strolls to challenging mountain climbing, all conveniently nearby.
Whether you prefer winding along a gentle trail in the lowlands or challenging your thighs and lungs on steep forest trails, our staff can direct you
to a hike or bike adventure that suits you. Stop by our Fitness Center or Pro Shop for trail maps, backpacks, snacks, bike rentals and information.
On-Property Trails
Hummingbird Trail
The Hummingbird Trail is a 2/3 mile (round trip) paved pathway with picnic ramadas, benches, plant identification signs and interpretive displays.
This nature trail begins near the Sonoran Spa where cottontail rabbits often feed on the grass, and you'll see and hear many desert birds as you
walk along. Look among the bushes and cacti for their nests.
Stop 1: The Catalina Ramada
A dramatic view of the Santa Catalina Mountains forms the backdrop here. At 9,157 feet, these mountains are covered with ponderosa pine and
are home to black bear and white-tailed deer. Off to the right of the trail is a pathway leading to several groupings of cacti and succulents where
you'll find many species of barrel cactus, chollas, prickly pear and aloe plants
Stop 2: The Hohokam Ramada
The prehistoric Hohokam Indians inhabited this region until around 1450 A.D., when they mysteriously disappeared. They were farmers who built
extensive canals to irrigate their fields. One of their major food resources was the agave. Its fibrous leaves could be cut from the plant to make
rope, mats and fiber. The large heart, toxic when raw, was roasted in a pit in the ground for two days until it became sweet and nutritious. The
Hohokam also ground beans from mesquite trees into flour using stone metates like the one on display here and gathered sweet saguaro fruit
to eat. It you sit quietly, many of the desert birds will stop by for a drink or a bath at the water dripper
Stop 3: The Desert Willow Bench
The desert willow tree near the wash blooms during the summer with fragrant lavender flowers that resemble orchids. Look for lizards sunning on
the rocks or hunting in the sandy wash here. Most of the lizards are insect feeders but some also hunt smaller lizards. These little reptiles are active
during the summer months and often display bright blue, orange, pink or yellow breeding colors. On the right of the trail look for our Chef's Garden
where many of the ingredients used in the cuisine served in GOLD and Lookout Bar and Grille are grown.
Stop 4: The Ocotillo Ramada
The ocotillo, which is not a cactus, may appear dead much of the time but it is only waiting for moisture. During the warm season the ocotillo can
sprout leaves within 48 hours of rain. Leaves stay on the plants for several weeks, then drop again until the next rain. Scarlet red flowers appear
at the branch tips in March and April, attracting hummingbirds, orioles, verdins and other nectar-loving birds. The ocotillo may live for 200 years and
some older plants have as many as 70 branches.
Stop 5: The Ironwood Circle
The ironwood tree, which may live more than 800 years, is named for its extremely dense and heavy wood, which is used by the Seri Indians of
Mexico to make beautiful carvings of animals. In years of good rainfall the whole tree is covered in lavender flowers for a few weeks during May or
June. During dry years the tree conserves energy by flowering sparsely. The bean pods are edible and ripen late in the summer
Saguaro Trail
The Saguaro Trail is a 2/3 mile unpaved loop through beautiful desert terrain. This nature trail is divided into two shorter sections - the Coyote Loop
and the Javelina Loop. You may notice tracks of rabbit, raccoon, coyote, roadrunner and other desert animals along the trail
Stop 1: The Hackberry Bench
The large desert hackberry bush near the bench attracts coyotes, javelinas and birds with its sweet orange berries in the summer and fall.
You'll observe more bird activity here along the wash where thicker vegetation provides shelter and nesting places. Nearby saguaros are inhabited
by woodpeckers
Stop 2: The Palo Verde Ramada
Spanish for "green stick", the palo verde tree is noticeable for its smooth green bark. Although tiny leaves sprout after rains, they are dropped
during drought, leaving the palo verde to rely on photosynthesizing through its green bark for most of the year. During April and May, palo verdes
burst into an explosion of yellow flowers. The seeds ripen about six weeks later and are eaten by many desert animals
Stop 3: The Desert View Bench
As you look around you, you'll notice a variety of ways plants have adapted to desert life. Some store water in their fleshy stems; some have very
small leaves, lighter-colored leaves, waxy surfaces or spines. How many different adaptive strategies can you spot at this stop.
Nearby Recommended Trails
Pima Canyon (5-minute drive)
Hiking, birding and biking
Finger Rock Canyon (10-minute drive)
Hiking, birding and rock climbing
Rillito River Park (10-minute drive)
Biking, running, in-line skating and birding
Catalina State Park (15-minute drive)
Hiking, biking, birding and archaeology site
Sabino Canyon (20-minute drive)
Hiking, birding and running
Biking on paved roads during specified hours
Mount Lemmon (45-minute drive)
Hiking, biking, rock climbing, birding and snow skiing
Saguaro National Park West (30-minute drive)
Hiking and birding
Biking on roads only
Tucson Mountain Park (30-minute drive)
Biking, hiking and birding
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