David Yetman Trail

David Yetman Trail honors David Yetman, Ph.D., a social scientist and host of “The Desert Speaks.” This trail is long but fairly relaxed in terms of elevation gain and it offers a nice view of Golden Gate Mountain and the Bowen House. The Bowen House is a long-abandoned stone home that sits in what’s now the Tucson Mountain Park. The house makes for a good picnic spot.

If the out and back distance is too much, you can shuttle cars with one on N Camino de Oeste and one at the Gates Pass Trailhead. This would halve the distance required. Remember to bring plenty of water and wear sun protection as this route has very little shade.

From the end of the road, the trail heads directly south. You’ll follow David Yetman Trail through a short canyon and then keep right at a split in the trail. You’ll round another hill through a broad canyon where the house can be found at the mouth of the next canyon. Stop here to explore, enjoy your picnic, and then keep going. There are a smattering of routes that intersect this trail in the clearing between canyons, but you’ll stay north at each junction. Once you reach W Gates Pass Road, turn around and retrace your steps.