Mosaic and Slingshot Loop
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Mosaic and Slingshot Loop
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Painted Hills Trail Park is one of our favorite destinations in Tucson for fast, accessible, scenic hikes, and the Mosaic and Slingshot Loop is no exception. This hike is very easy to get to in Tucson and it’s long enough to take in the scenery while being easy enough for all ages and skill levels. There are also connecting trails that make it easy to extend your hike if you want more. This route gets hot in the afternoon, so try it as a morning or evening adventure and bring lots of water.
Getting there
The trailhead for the Mosaic and Slingshot Loop is off W Anklam Road.
About
| Backcountry Campground | No |
| When to do | October-May |
| Pets allowed | Yes - On Leash |
| Family friendly | Yes |
| Route Signage | Average |
| Crowd Levels | Low |
| Route Type | Loop |
Mosaic and Slingshot Loop
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Mosaic and Slingshot Loop Description
The Mosaic and Slingshot Loop is a solid pick for its ease of access in Tucson and its all-ages difficulty level. This hike is long enough to let you enjoy being in the beautiful Painted Hills Trails Park, but it’s easy enough for beginners, kids, and most others to enjoy. There are connecting trails that allow you to keep hiking longer if you’d like, or you can turn back early if you’re very short on time.
There are no restrooms at the trailhead, so come prepared. Bring water and wear sun protection, and try to plan your hike for the cooler mornings or evenings.
The hike begins at the Painted Hills Trailhead. Take Mosaic Trail to a Y-junction, where you’ll go right. Hike between two unnamed peaks and then around the northern face of Bactrian Summit. Turn left with the trail to hike between Recoil Peak and Bactrian Summit. At a 5-way junction, simply continue straight through. At the next junction, take a left to hike along the southern base of Bactrian Summit, taking a few relaxed switchbacks down near the road again to return to the trailhead.
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