Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
near the lower part of the road in 2013. Look up to the right of the road for views of
After 0.5 mile, the road to
Bear Canyon
goes to the right—keep going straight
(northeast), climbing gently and then dropping slightly. To your right, 0.8 mile along
cottonwood trees in Sabino Creek, golden in fall and into the mild winter. Shuttle
Stop 1 is between two restrooms on the right, 1.2 miles along the road; there are
picnic tables by the second restroom, which has a drinking fountain and wheelchair-
accessible flush toilets and picnic tables. Trail #27A starts from here, climbing to the
Phoneline Trail.
By now you're in Sabino Canyon proper, with cliffs rising on both sides. Oc-
casional short trails lead down from the right of the road to picnic areas by Sabino
Creek, just a few yards away. Shuttle Stop 2 is 1.5 miles along the road; this has the
last potable water until Stop 8. Soon after Stop 2, the road crosses the first of nine
bridges along Sabino Creek. (Note that the shuttle stops have numbered signs, but
you'll have to count the nine bridges for yourself.) Pools and a diminutive waterfall
invite kids to play, but don't feel that you need to stop here—plenty of other riparian
areas are farther along the road.
After Stop 2 is the second bridge, with a couple of picnic tables nearby. At the
end of the bridge, on the right, is a fine example of an Arizona sycamore tree, with
its pale, flaky-looking bark. Soon you'll see Thimble Peak—it really does look like
a thimble!—rising on the horizon, dead ahead as you walk. To your right, Acropolis
Wall is the cliff rising more than 400 feet straight up to Blackett's Ridge. You'll con-
tinue crossing bridge after bridge, with shuttle stop after shuttle stop; most have no or
very basic facilities, but you can explore spots to dip your toes at every creek cross-
ing.
Soon after Stop 7 (2.9 miles), you'll cross the ninth and last bridge on the road. A
few yards farther, on the right, a sign indicates Trail #23A, which climbs, rockily and
steeply, to connect with the Phoneline Trail 0.7 mile away.
Stop 8, at mile 3.2, offers a water fountain and vault toilets. Stairs at the end of
a parking area lead down to Sabino Creek, now to your left, and a trail leads upriver
to numerous popular swimming holes, tanning rocks, and cascades. From Stop 8, it's
another 0.5 mile to the end of the road at Stop 9, which is the trailhead of the hike to
