Sabino Canyon as a Hiker

 We have visited Sabino Canyon many times, and each time we traveled to the top of the canyon via the tram.  And once we walked the 4.7 miles back down, sometimes we take the tram to the top and get off, walk a bit, have lunch, then got back on the tram to the visitor's center.  This time we said - no tram, let's see what trails are around that we could do. We thought that within a month the heat would be too great to do this hike.  Sabino Canyon is in the foothills of Catalina Mountains and Mount Lemmon, we can see Mount Lemmon from the northern side.

Sabino Canyon - we stayed in the lower canyon

We stayed in the lower canyon and walked up the loop trail and I thought we were heading for Sabino Lake Trail, but connected back to the road the tram takes.  Amazing since my sense of direction is really good, I goofed.  Trekked along the road and picked up the Cliff Trail towards Sabino Lake and Dam.  

Saguaro's haven't started budding

Mount Lemmon way up there

Love Ocotillo - just can't get them to grow

Found the Bluff Trail - well marked.  We sat by the bench right at the turn off and watched people trek back to the Visitor's Center - looked really pooped.  We remember those times.  Got on the Bluff Trail and then on to Sabino Dam Trail.

Saw the tram coming back

When see trees - there's water

Dave climbing up trail

Water!

Think stone building something with dam

Nice walk along Sabino Lake (dry)

Rewarded with blooms

Some bizarre people you meet - as we stopped by the dry Sabino Lake, a man came along yelling 'whoop, whoop' and high-fived us.  Huh?  Dave thinks because we were looking at the map, the guy was glad that he saw us on the right trail and he continued on?  Haven't a clue.  Very strange.

We met 2 men from Germany?? and they were taking pictures of this, of that - we would tell them what they were seeing.  They wanted to know of other places to visit while they were in town and we steered them to Saguaro National Park and to the Desert Museum.  I think they were grateful for those suggestions.

Glad we did this, wasn't a wow factor that we often get when we hike, but always wondered trail was along the tram stops.  At least we know along stops 1 and 2 some trails to walk along.  Very dry here in Tucson.  Lots of talk of fire safety for the summer.  Fire Departments in area are practicing and preparing. I really hope we don't get any - thinking back to 2020 of the Bighorn Mountain Fire which we watched from the house.