Tucson, AZ
March 13 and March 15, 2014
Last Thursday, Joe and I headed out for our first hike in the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. Our first hike was a short 6.2 (Duh, what were we thinking?) miles. We got off to a rather late start as it was already 10:30 when we arrived at the park. Not the usual start time for us!
First part, Bear Canyon Trail...
This trail begins at the far side of the parking lot...we took the wide dirt track until it ended. We made a right turn onto the pavement and another right turn at the restrooms.
A short distance from the restrooms is a bridge...of course we stopped to see the fishes.
At the far side of the bridge, there is another road intersection. We took the Phoneline Trail (a dirt trail) which was directly opposite us at this T shaped juncture.
Second part, Phoneline Trail...
We considered the next .4 miles to be a medium grade...slow and steady.
Our views changed...
And oh my...the saguaros have buds!
By this time, we were hot and pooped. So I am confessing that when we came to the right turn onto Blackett's Ridge Trail, we decided to call it a day. It was mid-day and if we turned around here it would make for a nice little 2.8 mile hike, so why not ?
On Saturday morning...bright and early, we returned to finish our hike. This time we were on the trail by 8:30! We retraced the 1.4 miles done on Thursday...no tram for us!
Much of the trail was very rocky...
Once the trail reaches the ridge line, its not so steep. Up here, the vegetation is desert grass.
More than once we thought we had reached the summit...it looked as if the end were just ahead. But each time the trail kept going. We knew we reached the end when we came to a huge drop off and couldn't go any farther. The summit offers incredible views. There were sheer drops on all sides of us.
We agree this is a must do hike. For an easy to slightly moderate workout, the 2.8 mile roundtrip hike up to Blackett's Ridge trailhead is fun. It was during that part of the hike we saw the roadrunner on the rock. Blackett's Ridge Trail offers a more challenging workout if you choose to continue on to the summit, a 6.2 mile roundtrip hike.
Until next time, take care and...
enjoy!
Wow, that is an awesome hike! You are really making us jealous here with all your hikes. I can hear the heart pumping and muscles quivering. Great views!
ReplyDeleteWe had a great time MonaLiza. Nothing like a steep climb for a great workout!
DeleteFun, fun!! Looks like a nice workout:)
ReplyDeleteOur first time there we took the tram to the end (we wanted the here the informative talk) and got off. We then hiked up the Phoneline trail and hiked it back down. It is about five miles but such a great view from way above. This is way cut some time off and not do an out and back.
Looking forward to "our" next hike:)
Phoneline is the hike we plan to do today! Can't wait Pam!
DeleteI used to hike out there all the time and had some great GTG with family for holidays. After they put the tram in we never went back.
ReplyDeleteHiked to seven falls was the best hike I every did. And reaching the summit and looking out homes were just a few dots out there. Happy your enjoying our City
Hi Jo...Sabino Canyon RA is awesome. We want to do several more hikes there. Because we have 4 pups we leave in the MH, out time is limited. If we can do Seven Falls in 5.5 hours, we sure want to give it a try. We also want to check out Madera Canyon.
DeleteSpectacular photos & the view is amazing. In the first photo, is that just one cactus or are there two, back to back? I really like that shot.
ReplyDeleteIt's really hard to tell...and I am not sure Gayle. Sorry.....my guess is it's two. Aren't the saguaro amazing? I hope some bloom before we leave.
DeleteAwesome hike! Beautiful photos. What a wonderful way to spend a few hours!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sheila!
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