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Coronado Hiking Trails |
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Sabino Canyon Trail #23, E. Fork Trail #24A, Bear Canyon Trail #29
These three trails offer access to the dramatic landscape
of the Santa Catalina Front Range, famous for its deep canyons and
soaring ridges. When traveled as a loop, they form a long but rewarding
day-trip that offers memorable views and access to the riparian environments
they shelter. A trip along either trail or around the entire loop will
treat you to good views of the high ridges and peaks of the Front Range
and, at sunset, of the city of Tucson with its lights framed by the
black silhouette of surrounding mountains.
Since both Bear Canyon and Sabino Canyon trails are accessible
from the extremely popular Sabino Canyon Recreation Area,
both are used heavily. Sabino Canyon Trail begins at
the end of the recreation area
shuttle bus route and contours along the canyon’s eastern slope
a good distance above the canyon floor. A number of paths
branch off the trail along this stretch and lead down to the streambed.
Bear Canyon Trail leads upstream from the Lower Bear
Picnic Area at the end of the Bear Canyon shuttle route.
The trail crosses the
stream several times in its first two miles and provides
spectacular views of both Sabino and Bear canyons as
it climbs to Bear Saddle. There
it intersects the East Fork #24A and the Sycamore Reservoir
#39 trails. The East Fork Trail follows Sabino Creek
2.1 miles to the junction with
Sabino Canyon Trail. From this point it is 2.5 miles
back to the end of the road where hikers can catch
a shuttle bus ride (for a fee) or
walk back to your car to complete a 13.4 mile loop.
Since horses are not permitted on the shuttle road, equestrians must
use
the Phone Line
Trail #27 (4.5 miles) to complete a loop.
Attractions:
Spectacular canyon
Lush desert
Long distance views
Backcountry access Rating: More difficult
Loop possibilities
Trail #24A is a segment of the Arizona Trail
Season: Fall, winter, spring
Length: 2.5 miles (#23), 2.6 miles (#24A), 8.3 miles (#29)
Elevation: 2,700'-5,000'
Use: Heavy
USGS Map(s): Sabino Canyon
Access: From Tanque Verde Road in Tucson turn north
on Sabino Canyon Road and follow it 4 miles to
the Sabino Canyon Recreation
Area
Visitor Center. From the Visitor Center, between
the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., hikers can take
the shuttle bus (for a fee) to Bear Canyon
and Sabino Canyon trailheads. If you prefer, or
if the shuttle bus is not running, you can hike to the
trailheads along
the shuttle bus route.
Equestrians must stay on the designated horse trails.
Notes:
All of these trails, except for 1.7 miles of Bear
Canyon Trail, are within Pusch Ridge Wilderness.
Motorized and mechanical vehicles and equipment,
including mountain bikes, are not permitted
in Wilderness. See the Wilderness section
of this guide for more
wilderness
rules and ethics.
Water can be found in pools along Bear
and Sabino canyons year-round. Purification
of water is recommended
prior to use. Creek crossings may be
hard to negotiate when
water flow is high.
For further information on the Sabino
Canyon Recreation Area see the corresponding
pages of the
sightseeing
and the picnicking portions
of this guide.
Before using this trail, call the
Santa Catalina Ranger District for current
trail conditions which
can vary with season, weather and
maintenance status.
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