Tucson, AZ
December 23, 2016
There is alot of history in Sabino Canyon. Flat grindstones, stone points, and other tools found in the Sabino Canyon date back to the Cochise culture which hunted small game and food about 8000 years ago. But even before them, the Clovis culture visited the area some 13500 years ago to hunt large game.
Its no wonder visitors since, including the Hohokam people, made this oasis their home. The peak of their culture occurred around 1100 AD. The Hohokam were farmers and built villages along the rivers. There is evidence of early dams to store water and collect soil as well as farming tools left behind from them.
Jump forward to the 1930s when plans were made to build a dam to provide a lake for swimming and boating. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) along with ERA crews built bridges, campgrounds, picnic tables, outhouses, and retaining walls which are still used. Today the dam is a popular attraction although the lake has long since been filled in with silt and plant life.
Our second hike in Sabino Canyon on 12/22 took us close enough to the dam to take a picture from an overlook. Not much water flowing over the dam that day.Our third hike (12/23) was on the Sabino Lake Trail, Creek Trail, and Sabino Dam Trail. A nice easy loop ! What a difference a day of heavy rains made.
We had planned to connect to the Phoneline Trail, but Sabino Creek stopped us. We weren't prepared to get wet.
Looking left...
It couldn't have been a prettier day. The birds were singing...umm...some were fussing ! 
We could hear the distinct loud sound of this Cactus Wren. It's the largest wren in North America.
The cacti were showy with fruit.
And the best part, I was with my honey !
Until next time,
HAPPY TRAILS !
