Sabino Canyon and Sabino Dam

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
Coronado National Forest,
Near Tucson
Pima Co.,
Arizona

Hiking Trails:
Sabino Walkway Trail
Bluff Trail
Sabino Lake Trail
Bear Canyon Trail

Total Time: 1:00 minutes
Estimated Distance: 2.4 miles

Pros: Very Scenic area
Cons: Busy area, partial walk on road
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://g.page/sabinocanyonvc?share

I was in Tucson, Arizon for the gem and mineral show, and had time for a short afternoon hike. I parked in the Sabino Canyon main parking area, and took the Sabino Walkway Trail to the road, and then took the Bluff Trail along the side of the creek. I then took the Sabino Lake Trail along the side of the creek and the dam. I then took the Bear Canyon Trail back to the parkign area.

Map of the Route

Sabino Walkway Trail

Sonoran Desert and Saguaros at Sabino Canyna

Bluff at Sabino Creek

Sabino Lake

Sabino Dam

Catalina State Park Loop

Catalina State Park
Tucson Area,
Pima Co.,
Arizona

Hiking Trails:
Sutherland Trail
Canyon Loop Connector Trail
Romero Canyon Trail

Total Time: 1:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.4 Miles

Pros: Scenic desert terrain
Cons: None
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HhwCnxcRBuNNJbEb7

I was in Tucson, Arizona for a tradeshow. This was a very quick trip, and I only had about an hour to hike at the end of the day. I decided to go to Catalina State Park, an area in the Santa Catalina Mountains that I have not yet hiked, and do a short loop.

I parked at the trailhead at the end of the park road, and took the Sutherland Trail as it meandered alongside the wash. I then climbed up and took the Canyon Loop Connector Trail to the Romero Canyon Trail, which I took back to the trailhead.

Map of the Route

Plaque About the Bighorn Fire

Desert Forest with the Mountains in the Background

Forested Area Near the Wash

Sutherland Wash

Saguaro Cactus

Yucca Plans and the Staircase

Sunset Views in the Catalina's

Pima Canyon Sunset Hike

Coronado National Forest,
Tucson Area
Pima Co.,
Arizona

Hiking Trails:
Pima Canyon Trail

Total Time: 1:30 hours
Estimated Distance: 2.5 miles

Pros: Scenic desert canyon hike
Cons: None
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/SQmb8tGWbnLyFUeGA

I was in Tucson attending a tradeshow, and the weather all day had been rainy. It's pretty nasty when it rains in Tucson, with strong winds and poor conditions. However, towards the late afternoon the rain subsided, so I took the opportunity for a short hike in the Santa Catalina Mountains and opted for Pima Canyon. I parked at the Pima Canyon trailhead and took the trail into the canyon for about a mile and a quarter, and then turned around and took the same route back. The departing clouds, combined with snow on the higher elevations and sunset at the end, made this a remarkable hike. 

Map of the Route

Pima Canyon and Saguaro Cactus