The Box Spring Trail has long been more of a route than a trail – I think it would have already disappeared back into the mountain if its ending high in Sabino Canyon wasn’t so beautiful!
The hike down seemed slightly easier to follow than I remember – maybe with a little more loose dirt and debris in the drainage (and maybe just a little more poison ivy)? It was a surprise to meet two hikers coming up – but no surprise that anyone on this trail was fun to chat with for a few minutes!
Sabino Canyon was – just like every time I have been down the Box Camp Trail – wonderful – cold flowing water, pools, beautiful rocks and green all around. After walking down to the first obstacle and taking a break we exited the canyon to the north – at first with the goal of working downstream, but eventually lured upward by the rocks to a high point…
We rested, enjoyed the views and planned an exit up one of the small ridges back to the main ridge (rather than going back up the Box Spring drainage) – and then plunged down the hillsides into the canyon bottom!
We hiked a short distance down canyon before scrambling out and starting to climb. At first the route we picked seemed brilliant – steep, but fairly open and easy, unfortunately as we got closer to the top the brush became thicker and thicker… Eventually we fought thru the brush and followed game trails to finish the climb to the main ridge – from there it was an enjoyable walk back to the Box Camp Trailhead. 6.75 miles, 2300′ of elevation gain and loss.
I really enjoyed this exploration — new views and angles for me. And, the weather was perfect.