Overview
Barrel Cactus and Gates Pass
Residing about one mile as the raven flies south-southwest of Gates Pass is Golden Gate Mountain. Rising more than 1,500 feet from the desert floor to the west, Golden Gate Mountain presents itself as a striking, rugged desert sentinel a to motorists and bicyclists along Kinney Road. Fortunately for us, most people admire Golden Gate Mountain from a distance and do not leave the road to visit its summit.
Typical of the mountains in the Tucson Mountain Range, Golden Gate Mountain is a jumbled collection of rough rocks (
Tucson Mountain Chaos, as it's known to geologists) covered with an exciting collection of Sonoran desert plants. The peak has no trail to the summit, but this only gives you more time to explore the desert flora.
Arizona Rank: 3950th highest peak in Arizona
Prominence: 1,138 feet
USGS Quad: Cat Mountain
Trails Illustrated Map: #237 Saguaro National Park
Rank and Prominence Source:
Lists of JohnGetting There
Tucson Mountain Park resides 13 miles to the west of Tucson, Arizona in Pima County. The park can be reached via Gates Pass Road or by taking Ajo Road to Kinney Way.
Rocky northern summit
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Typical off-trail conditions
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Saguaro Sentinel
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Red Tape
There is no entry fee for Tucson Mountain Park. The park is open daily 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Click here for full rules governing use of Pima County Parks. |
South from the summit
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On the Golden Gate Mountain summit
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Cat Mountain and Tucson Estates
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Camping & Lodging
UN 3990 and Mount Lemmon Desert flora from the Yetman Trail
The only nearby campground is the 130-site
Gilbert Ray Campground, located in Tucson Mountain Park.
The proximity of Golden Gate Mountain to the Tucson Metro area means lodging options are virtually unlimited. Visit the
Trip Advisor site covering Tucson, AZ, for more information about area accommodations.
Weather & Seasons
Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rain |
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January | 64.5 F | 38.9 F | 0.99 in. | February | 68.4 F | 41.6 F | 0.88 in. | March | 73.3 F | 45.1 F | 0.81 in. | April | 81.5 F | 50.5 F | 0.28 in. | May | 90.4 F | 58.6 F | 0.24 in. | June | 100.2 F | 68.0 F | 0.24 in. | July | 99.6 F | 73.4 F | 2.07 in. | August | 97.4 F | 72.4 F | 2.30 in. | September | 94.0 F | 67.7 F | 1.45 in. | October | 84.0 F | 57.0 F | 1.21 in. | November | 72.3 F | 45.1 F | 0.67 in. | December | 64.6 F | 39.2 F | 1.03 in. |
| *Most hikes in the Tucson Mountains, thanks to their low elevation, would be most comfortable in the fall, winter or spring.
*March and April are primo wildflower viewing months.
*Summer temperatures in this part of the Sonoran desert can be worse than uncomfortable; they can be downright dangerous!
*According to the United States National Weather Service, the record high temperature for Tucson, Arizona, set on 26th June 1990, was 117 degrees Farenheit / 47 degrees Celsius. |
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External Links
Tower, Bushmaster & Neighbors Cactus and rock garden
Tucson Mountain Park
PDF Map of Tucson Mountain Park