An Arizona trail that begs you to take your time
If hiking uphill isn’t your thing, or if you live with Parkinson’s and find it difficult to do, Sabino Canyon near Tucson, Arizona, has something you’ll love. Why fight gravity when you can get a ride to the top?
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, tucked into the Santa Catalina mountains near Tucson, offers more than a dozen trails of all difficulties to choose from.
But for those wanting a more relaxed excursion, there’s the Canyon Crawler, an electric-powered, open-air tram that takes you up to the road’s end and back in about an hour.
So for a short, downward walk, just exit the tram at the stop before it reaches the bottom, and hike your way back to the trailhead.
That’s what I did with my husband, our daughter, and her two darling kids, ages 3 and 6.
It was midwinter, and many of the trails were out of commission due to water and mud flows. No worries, the very helpful people at the visitors center directed us to the Bluff and Lake Trails.
Here’s how it worked
We bought tickets for the tram ride at a self-serve kiosk. There were plenty of seats left even though it was high season in Arizona. It may still be a good idea to buy in advance.
The ride was relaxing and scenic. The canyon is defined by stately cliffs and dotted with saguaro cactuses.
At the end of the road is a turnaround where we could get out and snap a few pictures.
The ride down was as smooth as the ride up (the roads were recently upgraded).
Hiking on the Bluff and Lake trails
Back at Stop 1, we got off and found the Bluff Trail marker to the left of the road.
Parkinson’s tip
The steepest part of the trail was at the beginning, with some medium-size steps going down about 70 feet. Trekking poles are a good idea here.
The rest of the trail is flat, except for about 8 steps leading back to the road near the end.
Taking our sweet time
Bluff Trail goes for two-tenths of a mile and becomes the Lake Trail, which follows the stream to the left. There were plenty of places for the kids to dawdle, playing in the sand and climbing rocks in the stream (which was at a gentle flow – use your judgment).
The dam was an impressive sight.
Our group continued on the Lake Trail for about half a mile and came to some stairs to our right that brought us up to the canyon road. We took a right, and after a five-minute walk we saw signs for the Visitors Center and took a left onto a wide, crushed-rock trail.
This last part of the hike was another half mile – but it seemed longer because the kids — though as hardy as they are darling, heh heh — were beginning to get tired. (“Carry me!”) The entire hike took about an hour, including the dawdling.
Parkinson’s tip
ADA-approved alternative:
For those in a wheelchair, you can get off the tram at any of the 10 stops and take a stroll on the paved road for as long as you’d like until the tram comes again.
Hike info
PD difficulty level (see chart): Easy. (Or Easiest if you hike on the road. The tram itself is wheelchair accessible.)
Distance: just under 2 miles one way
Elevation loss: about 70 feet
Trailhead location: 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Rd, Tucson
Road access: parking lot close by
Bathrooms: at visitor center and some of the tram stops
Emergency support: within 5 miles
Cost: Canyon Crawler is $15 for adults, $8 for kids
Insider hint:
Let your driver know ahead of time that you’ll want to exit at Stop 1 on the way back. Bluff Trail start is to the left of the road near there.
This is the season for hiking in Arizona. Here is another great trail.
Sounds like a great way to hike! Thanks.
For certain, Dave! Smellin’ the roses.