Tucson - American Southwest - page 375

375

Driving the Catalina Highway Moments

Within a span of only 25 miles, the Catalina Highway climbs roughly 1 mile in ele-
vation from the lowland desert landscape of cactuses and ocotillo bushes to for-
ests of ponderosa pines. Passing through several different life zones, this route is
the equivalent of driving from Mexico to Canada. When you look at it this way,
the $5 use fee is small compared to what a flight to Canada would cost (and that
fee will also get you into Sabino Canyon). Along the way, there are numerous
overlooks, some of which are nauseatingly vertiginous. Other spots are particu-
larly popular with rock climbers. There are numerous hiking trails, picnic areas,
and campgrounds along the route. For more information, contact the Coronado
National Forest Santa Catalina Ranger District, 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Rd.
( & 520/749-8700; www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado).

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area At the base of the Santa Catalina Moun-
tains on the northeastern edge of the city, Sabino Canyon is a desert oasis and, with its
impressive desert scenery, hiking trails, and stream, is a fabulous place to commune with
the desert for a morning or an afternoon. The chance to splash in the canyon's waterfalls
and swim in natural pools (water conditions permitting) attracts many visitors, but it is
just as enjoyable simply to gaze at the beauty of crystal-clear water flowing through a
rocky canyon guarded by saguaro cactuses. There are numerous picnic tables in the can-
yon, and many miles of hiking trails wind their way into the mountains from here,
making it one of the best places in the city for a day hike.
A narrated tram shuttles visitors up and down the lower canyon throughout the day,
and between April and November (but not July or Aug), there are moonlight tram rides
three times each month (usually the nights before the full moon). The Bear Canyon tram
is used by hikers heading to the picturesque Seven Falls, which are at the end of a 2.5-
mile trail.
Another good way to experience the park is by bicycling up the paved road during the
limited hours when bikes are allowed: Sunday through Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
before 9am and after 5pm. This is a strenuous uphill ride for most of the way, but the
scenery is beautiful.
5900 N. Sabino Canyon Rd. & 520/749-8700, 520/749-2861 for shuttle information, or 520/749-2327 for
moonlight shuttle reservations. www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado or www.sabinocanyon.com. Parking $5 (also
good for driving the Catalina Hwy.). Sabino Canyon tram ride $8 adults, $4 children 3-12; Bear Canyon
tram ride $3 adults, $1 children 3-12. Park daily dawn-dusk. Sabino Canyon tram rides daily 9am-4:30pm
(July to mid-Dec Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat-Sun and holidays 9am-4:30pm); Bear Canyon tram rides daily
9am-4:30pm. Take Grant Rd. east to Tanque Verde Rd., continuing east; at Sabino Canyon Rd., turn north
and watch for the sign.
Saguaro National Park Saguaro cactuses are the quintessential symbol of
the American desert and occur naturally only here in the Sonoran Desert. Sensitive to
fire and frost, and exceedingly slow to mature, these massive, treelike cactuses grow in
great profusion around Tucson but have long been threatened by both development and
plant collectors. In 1933, to protect these desert giants, the federal government set aside
two large tracts of land as a saguaro preserve. This preserve eventually became Saguaro
National Park. The two units of the park, one on the east side of the city (Rincon Mountain

12