Sutherland Falls - Level 3 POV Hike
31
Published 2024-05-22
LEVEL 3️⃣
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Length: 5 miles
Type: Out and back
Elevation Δ: 640 feet
DESCRIPTION
Sutherland Falls is a hidden gem in Cargodera Canyon north of Tucson, Arizona that everyone should consider when visiting Catalina State Park.
The trail is easy but doesn't get much attention. That could be because finding the waterfalls at the end takes a bit of exploring. This video will should you what they're missing out on and the links below will show you exactly where they're located.
Beginning from the Romero Canyon Trailhead at the end of Catalina State Park Road, take any path you want to go northeast until you're on the Sutherland trail.
Once you're on it, you won't be getting off, so ignore all of the unsigned link trails and side quests. Just follow the signs. When in doubt, take the path that looks widest, since the first half is highly trafficked.
You'll cross over the sandy Sutherland Wash a couple of times before climbing some man-made steps up to a grassland plateau. From there you'll have excellent views of the Santa Catalina Mountains to the east. Go early in the morning and you'll enter in an out of the mountain shadows as to wind along the foothills.
There an east facing bench right at the last real junction where you can take a break and enjoy the sunrise (or sunset as the case may be) before setting out on the final leg.
The last stretch is a long and narrow path through the high desert that leads you past giant boulders to Cargodera Canyon. You'll know you've arrived by the Catalina State Park sign and the wire fence.
Sutherland trail picks up on the other side of the wash, but most hikers make the water their destination. There's a series of shallow cascades a little ways upstream that's worth a visit. Water swirls around the pools cut into the bare bedrock and it makes for a relaxing place to enjoy the scenery.
Go downstream and you'll find a waterfall with more energy. It takes a bit of rock hopping to get there, but it's worthwhile when the water is flowing.
TRAILHEAD
maps.app.goo.gl/Q6hU3LBjC8t5sTfR8
WATERFALLS
Downstream (thumbnail and kalimba location): maps.app.goo.gl/gvD4QrLNgrJd9nux9
Upstream: maps.app.goo.gl/ishdJSkQ3jhc6uEm8
CHAPTERS
0:00 - Intro
0:12 - Catalina State Park Road to Sutherland Trailhead
0:52 - Sutherland Trail to Sutherland Wash
4:17 - Sutherland Wash
7:42 - Sutherland Trail to Canyon Loop junction
12:00 - Sutherland Trail to bench junction
22:05 - Sutherland Trail to Cargodera Wash
43:40 - Kalimba
QUESTIONS
1. What else do you want to know about this hike?
2. What hike would you like to see next?
Let me know in the comments.
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