Mileage: 17.3 miles from trailhead to trailhead
Elevation Gain: 2100 ft
Map: Sabino Canyon Trail (FS #23), East Fork Trail (FS #24) and Bear Canyon Trail (FS #29) or a Coronado National Forest map.
Favorite Eats After Hike: We had dinner at The Eclectic Cafe after our hike and I also packed a cooler at Sprouts Farmers Market. The cafe had the most delicious seasonal iced teas.
As always, practice Leave No Trace. Pretty Please.
My Hike:
3/5/2015
I took a long weekend down to Tucson with a friend and while we there we decided to get a hike in. How could I not? I had done some searching online and found a 17 mile loop that included the Sabino & Bear Canyons along with the Arizona Trail. We would go up Sabino Canyon, across the Arizona Trail and then down Bear Canyon back to the parking lot. Sounded perfect for a first experience at hiking in the desert.
We drove over to Sabino Canyon and found a little information in the visitor’s center and then took the tram up the canyon to the TH (you can hike it, adding another 3 miles and saving $8 each). It was March so although is was warm, it was not scorching as I imagine it could be.
I was glad we went at this time of year, there was very little water until you get over on the Bear Canyon side. The only shade was beside large boulders and a few pools of water.
The Sabino Canyon Trail connects in about 2.5 miles with the East Fork Trail, which is part of the Arizona Trail.
This is the dry part of the trail, there was no water to be found. Several other trails connect with the AZT here, so make sure you keep track of the turn. There is map available in the visitor’s center.
I loved all the cacti and the contrast of the blue skies with the variations of vegetation different from what this Pacific Northwest girl normally sees. I think sometimes about doing the Arizona Trail as a long trail, but just like the last 700 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, I’m not sure the lack of water is my thing. It sure is pretty, though.
The Sabino & Bear Canyon-Arizona Trail hike ends with the last 6.5 miles out Bear Canyon and the famous Seven Falls that were predictably crowded, but not bad since it was later in the day.
It was a sharp contrast to the rest of our day since we hadn’t seen anyone since leaving the tram that dropped us off at the Sabino Canyon trailhead. Most folks just ride the tram up and then back down!
Make sure you take your 10 essentials and plenty of water before attempting a Sabino & Bear Canyon-Arizona Trail loop hike, especially if you are going to be doing this later in the season. I was glad we had my filter because my friend did not bring near enough water. I also tried out hiking with an umbrella (Walmart special) and loved it for blocking the sun. The only downside was on the descent when those desert winds picked up!
You can find out more about this hike at their website HERE.
Directions: Get on plane to Tucson! Then, from Tanque Verde Road, turn north on Sabino Canyon Road 4 miles to the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Visitor Center. 5900 N. Tanque Verde Road, Tucson.
For more hikes in the Southwest, check out my Beyond the PNW page!
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