Ventana Trail – Arizona Hikers Guide

by Cameron Jarman on May 28, 2015

Ventana Canyon is one of the most beautiful canyons in the Santa Catalina front range, and one of the least visited.  One reason might be because Ventana Trail is a fairly steep and a difficult 5 mile trek to the top of the canyon or the fact that the trailhead is located inside the Ventana Canyon Resort employee’s  parking lot.  The canyon itself follows a beautiful creek that flows in early spring and summer.

Length: 4.8 miles to Maiden Pools and 12.3 miles to The Window (round trip)

Elevation: 2950

Gain/Loss: +1290

Difficulty: 4

Rating: 3.5

Solitude: 3.5

Trail Description

The route up Ventana Canyon leads to “The Window,” presenting memorable views of sheer canyon walls and a steadily broadening panorama along the way. The stream that the trail follows for much of this route is dry most of the year, but you can usually find water in some of its pools during the spring and early summer. The riparian habitat it nourishes provides good birdwatching. The trail becomes steadily more difficult to follow as it climbs farther from the trailhead and higher up the canyon. As you climb, occasional pools and widening vistas provide reasons to stop, take a breather and look around. The Window comes into view well before you get to it, as does the 100-foot drop at its base.

The canyon floor is lush with Sonoran Desert landscape.  You will cross the stream several times before ascending up the steep canyon switchbacks that seem never ending.  From the switchbacks you will reach Maiden Pools which was my turnaround spot (we started really late and actually night hiked back).  If you continue on the trail it leads to “The Window” which will be posted when I go back for round two and complete that section.

My Thoughts

This hike is one of the more beautiful canyon trails in the Santa Catalina’s.  My wife and I completed this hike starting at around 5 p.m. and coming back after dark.  We got rained on in the dark which was truly a fantastic sight watching the city light up in the distance.  I recommend hiking to Maiden Pools if you are in good shape and to “The Window” if you are in really good shape.  Finding the trailhead was interesting as you have to enter the resort, turn west, and follow the signs to the back portion of the lot where the trailhead begins.

Map of Trailhead

Trail Signage

Ventana Trail Gallery

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