North of Tucson Arizona lays a geological masterpiece, and one of my all time favorite hiking spots, known as Sabino Canyon.
BACKGROUND
As a Tucson native, I grew up hiking Sabino Canyon on a weekly basis, and during the summer, groups of us would spend the weekends hiking the many trails, including Seven Falls, Bear Canyon, and Sabino Canyon Trail.
Located in the Santa Catalina Mountains and the Coronado National Forest, Sabino Canyon is a popular recreation area for residents and visitors of Southern Arizona, providing areas for travelers to walk, hike, or bike riding.
Just miles outside of the canyon are large waterfalls situated along Sabino Creek, with minor bridges built in for spectacular views of wildlife. I've seen countless desert fauna, including deer, javelina, skunks, tortoises, rattlesnakes, and mountain lions.
SABINO CANYON (THEN)
Sabino Canyon was formed over 12 million years ago when the mountains ceased formation around the Tucson valley.
Some of the plants witnessed there today popped up 6,000 to 8,000 years ago, with traces to the first American peoples, the Hohokam people, detected a few thousand years ago.
By 1887, a massive Sonara earthquake dislodged massive boulders lining the canyon walls, which fell to rest in the valley below.
In 1905, as part of Theodore Roosevelt's conservation efforts, the U.S. Forest Service began administering Sabino Canyon to keep it in proper preservation.
During the Great Depression, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and Emergency Relief Administration (ERA) built Sabino Dam, as well as nine bridges over Sabino Creek, as part of an effort to create a road that reached the top of Mount Lemmon.
However, due to steep terrain, the road was never completed.
In 1978, the first trams to the canyon began operating, with limited visitation abilities via car.
In 1985, Sabino Tours was founded to give visitors a personalized tour of the beautiful canyon layout.
SABINO CANYON (NOW)
In 2006, following a dangerous flood, restricted tram access went into effect for a few years to manage the damage. Since then, everything has been completely restored.
Today, the canyon remains protected under the Forest Service with round-the-clock surveillance.
Unfortunately, federal funding is unable to keep up with the pressures that urbanization and over 1 million visitors per year place on the canyon.
Friends of Sabino Canyon, the independent nonprofit organization founded in 1993 to raise awareness and funds for the canyon, has provided nearly $500,000 for projects since then.
Some of their undertakings have included rehabilitation in the aftermath of the Aspen Fire, a water well, educational exhibits in the visitor center, new entrance plaza facilities, research projects, and the restoration of the original Lowell House Ranger Station, plus the depression-era stonework.
Additionally, to keep awareness up, the nonprofit hosts outdoor concerts, like Music in the Canyon, to get the attention of major donors.
CONCLUSION
With additional hiking offshoots starting at Sabino Canyon, it's well worth the trip if you're a local or staying in and around Tucson.
5/5 RECOMMEND
OF NOTE
*Parking: $5/day per vehicle.
*Tram Fee: $10 adults, $5 children 3-12
*Hours: Daily 8am-4:30pm. Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas.
*Fire and backpacking permit are NOT required.
*12 Restrooms & Vending Machines
*For more information: sabinocanyon.com https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coronado/recarea/?recid=80532 read more