sabino canyon

Night in Sabino Canyon – 1/23/2016

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
Full Moon, Saguaros and water in Sabino Canyon. January 2016.
Full Moon, Saguaros and water in Sabino Canyon. January 2016.

There is nowhere that I have visited in the Santa Catalina Mountains where you are more likely to see people hiking/walking/running/enjoying the night outside than in Sabino Canyon. With a great variety of trails from steep climbs like Blackett's Ridge to walks on the pavement along the canyon, water (at least part of the year…) and an open parking area (many of the the county trailheads have parking restrictions that are not night-hike-friendly) Sabino Canyon is a beautiful spot to enjoy nighttime in the desert! (Hiking at night presents a unique set of challenges – if you have never hiked at night find an experienced friend or group to hike with.)

Below the dam in lower Sabino Canyon. January 2016.
Below the dam in lower Sabino Canyon. January 2016.

The construction of the dam in Lower Sabino Canyon began in 1937 after plans fell thru for a much larger dam higher in the canyon – the dam was dedicated the next year. In Sabino Canyon: The Life of a Southerwestern Oasis by David Wentworth Lazaroff says of the lake behind the dam:

The tiny lake was instantly popular. The centerpiece of the new Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, it regularly filled with swimmers, and fisherman crowded the dam angling for stocked bass and sunfish. (p. 99)

The water behind the dam, surrounded by trees, is still an attraction in the canyon – but no one would describe it as a lake – silted in and overgrown.

Moon, Saguaro in headlamp light - on the way back from the dam in Lower Sabino Canyon. January 2016.
Moon, Saguaro in headlamp light – on the way back from the dam in Lower Sabino Canyon. January 2016.

 

Night, Sabino Canyon, Bear Canyon – 12/26/2015

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
Water flowing in Sabino Canyon. December 2015.
Water flowing in Sabino Canyon. December 2015.
A Saguaro in the Moon - moonrise above Bear Canyon. December 2015.
A Saguaro in the Moon – moonrise above Bear Canyon. December 2015.
On the road into Bear Canyon. December 2015.
On the road into Bear Canyon. December 2015.

Prison Camp, Thimble Peak, Bear Canyon – 11/28/2015

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
The route out to Thimble Peak from Bear Canyon. November 2015.
The route out to Thimble Peak from Bear Canyon. November 2015.

A sea of grass out to the Thimble, a ribbon of color down Sabino Canyon, looking up Bear Canyon to and past the Sycamore Reservoir Dam, back lit Saguaros and sunset light in Bear Canyon – every trip into the mountains is another chance to see something new – even the most familiar places are constantly changing, different light, season, weather, colors, wildlife, plants, friends… – and this was a particularly amazing day.

Looking down Sabino Canyon, a ribbon of color in the desert - from just below the base of Thimble Peak. November 2015.
Looking down Sabino Canyon, a ribbon of color in the desert – from just below the base of Thimble Peak. November 2015.
Saguaros in the sunlight - from the Bear Canyon Trail, above Seven Falls. November 2015.
Saguaros in the sunlight – from the Bear Canyon Trail, above Seven Falls. November 2015.
Bear Canyon - Sunset light and clear blue winter sky - a sea of Saguaros - from the road. November 2015.
Bear Canyon – Sunset light and clear blue winter sky – a sea of Saguaros – from the road. November 2015.

Window View, Flight from DFW – 11/14/2015

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles

Flying into Tucson from Dallas/Fort Worth I had a little luck – window seat facing the mountains, decent light, good weather – and was able to take a few pictures of the Santa Catalina Mountains –

Looking down on Agua Caliente Hill on a flight coming into Tucson from DFW. November 2015.
Looking down on Agua Caliente Hill on a flight coming into Tucson from DFW. November 2015.
Molino Canyon and the Highway with Airmen Peak, Guthrie Mountain, Green Mountain, Barnum Rock and Windy Point in the distance. November 2015.
Molino Canyon and the Highway with Airmen Peak, Guthrie Mountain, Green Mountain, Barnum Rock and Windy Point in the distance. November 2015.
Ventana, Bird, Rattlesnake, Sabino and Bear Canyons with the Summit Crags and top of the mountain in the background. November 2015.
Ventana, Bird, Rattlesnake, Sabino and Bear Canyons with the Summit Crags and top of the mountain in the background. November 2015.
The Cleaver, Bighorn Mountain, Table Mountain, Wolf's Teeth, Prominent Point, Finger Rock, Mount Kimball, Pontatoc Ridge. November 2015.
The Cleaver, Bighorn Mountain, Table Mountain, Wolf’s Teeth, Prominent Point, Finger Rock, Mount Kimball, Pontatoc Ridge. November 2015.
Pusch Peak rising from the southwest corner of the Santa Catalina Mountains. November 2015.
Pusch Peak rising from the southwest corner of the Santa Catalina Mountains. November 2015.