Gates Pass Adventure

If you're at all like me and have even the most minute sense of wanderlust in your heart, the easiest thing to do is to start with what's around you. With that, I welcome you to my first blog about one of my favorite spots here around Tucson, Arizona.

Gates Pass is just about a 30 minute drive from midtown Tucson and so very worth that commute. Gates Pass is a scenic area of the Tucson Mountains that I have enjoyed visiting since I was a kid. It's one of my favorite places to take out of town guests for a close to town look at the majestic saguaros.

Gates Pass was named after Thomas Gates, who in 1883 bought the land to build a road which served as a shortcut through the Tucson mountains to his mine in Avra Valley. Over 100 years later, it's a popular spot for a hike, or to just stand at the overlook and take everything in around you. The sunset views are spectacular and after a summer monsoon, the familiar smell of creosote fills your nose and lungs. Bring the kids as the hike up to the little look out shack is not very difficult and they do have a restroom on the other side of the parking lot (take your hand sanitizer and keep an extra tissue in your pocket just in case). Leave the poochies at home since Gates Pass and any of the hiking trails in the area are not dog friendly.

Since you're staying so close to town, it's a short drive back into Downtown Tucson for that post hike ice cream date at Hub or maybe a cold brew at Borderlands. This really makes it even more perfect if you're not quite outdoorsy and a short hike will likely be followed by a long nap, much like myself!

With that, I leave you with some photographic eye candy, courtesy of "Uncle Jeramie."