Phoneline Trail...Sabino Canyon

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
December 28, 2016

The Phoneline Trail is perfect for a birds-eye view of Sabino Canyon.  It basically follows the commercial tram road, but its etched into the canyon wall high above the canyon.  It was actually established in the early 1900s and I read that if you look hard enough you can see a few remaining rusty poles that once supported the phone line for which the trail was named.


 There are several different ways to enjoy this trail.  The VC offers maps and the Rangers are very helpful.  Joe and I chose to walk a few miles going up the trail and return the same way.  It's a good workout as the trail ascends.   














Along with the wide open views, which I didn't get pictures of because the lighting on this very overcast day didn't cooperate, there were lots of little things that caught my eye.

An uprooted Century Plant (Agave).  It takes up to 20 years to bloom and once it does, it dies.



 A Fishhook Cactus that only grows to about 6 inches.  They love desert slopes and often hide under bushes.





 I think these are called glochids...they occur in tufts around a main spine.  Their job is to keep the plant from loosing too much moisture in the form of evaporation.  So amazing !

 The canyon wall was covered in tiny plants,  moss, and lichens.  Beautiful rock gardens.

 The tip of a saguaro arm.  I think they are fascinating.   

And bubbles in Sabino Creek.

On the trail back to the parking lot, I spotted a female roadrunner in a nearby grassy spot.  She was very cooperative as I snapped quite a few photos following her on the trail.

Until next time, 

 HAPPY TRAILS !

Oh, if you like tamales, Joe and I discovered Tucson Tamale Company.  There are three locations on their website...click here for information.  



We had never had tamales before so we can't compare these to any others, but we cleaned our plates !