Phoneline Trail - Sabino Canyon - March 26, 2021

Jerry's Pictures on Phoneline Trail

Mary Anne's Pictures

Phoneline Trail in the Sabino Canyon. I would like to meet at the mailboxes around 7:00 a.m. and leave at 7:15 a.m. so we can take the 9 o'clock shuttle as they only leave on the hour! The driving distance is about 70 miles and took approximately an hour and fifteen minutes. Parking is free if you have an America the Beautiful Nat'l. Park Pass and put on your dash. There is a $12.00 per person tram fee to the trailhead.  A credit card is needed!  I would rate the hike as moderate only because of the steep switchbacks the first half-mile. The trail is then fairly level and follows the canyon where the telephone lines were originally strung. Awesome views!  Finally, there is a gradual drop back down to the intersection with the Bear Canyon Trail, # 29. We will then cross the bridge and hike to the visitors center. Often the bridge has a little water over it and I would strongly recommend putting two Walmart grocery sacks in your backpack to put over your boots if needed! There are restrooms at the Sabino Canyon Visitor's Center and at the top of the tramroad where the trail starts. The hike is somewhere between 5 and 6 miles.

Directions:

From I-10 and Florence Blvd. go south on I-10 to Exit 248, Ina Rd. Take Ina Rd east and it will become Skyline Dr. and then it will become Sunrise Dr. ( Don't worry, just stay on the same road until it comes to a dead end and turn left at the light on Sabino Canyon Rd. Sabino Canyon Visitor Center is a short distance on the right. (GPS: Sabino Canyon Visitor Center)

Short Hike:   

Short hike around the trails on Casa Grande Mt. led by Reno and Denis. Their hike averages 3 - 4 miles and they are usually back to Palm Creek by noon. This hike will leave from central mailboxes at 8:00 a.m. this Friday and Hikers must have a Palm Creek Hiking Club Waiver. Try to be at the mailboxes by 7:45 a.m. to secure waivers.

March 27, 2021 Picnic

End of the season Hiking Club Picnic. Come and enjoy a picnic, Saturday, March 27 at the Sports Pavillion (we got booted from the Tennis) from 12;30 to 2:30 p.m. and get your hiking mileage certificates for 50 or 75 miles hiking with the club. It's a time to eat, drink, visit and share memories of the hikes. Family members and guests are invited.The menu is Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza, Potato Salad, Coleslaw and cake for desert. Paper plates, napkins, and eating utensils will be provided! All of this for 5.00 per person. We decided on a BYOB; beer, wine, pop, water, or whatever, as everyone has their preference. Please RSVP, if you haven't, as soon as possible so we can get a count for food and misc.

Remember: If for some reason a hike must be cancelled, you will receive an email by 6 a.m., Friday morning!

Jerry's Cell 307-630-0252

John's Cell 207-446-0650

Click on the link below to check out Nancy's  Blogspot; 

www.palmcreekhikers3.blogspot.com

Pictures and information from last week's hike, Pass Mountain Loop!)

February 28, 2020 Bear Canyon to Seven Falls at Sabino Canyon

The Long hike, lead by John R, started on the Bear Canyon Trail. The water levels had gone down substantially therefore we did not need to take off our shoes at the bridge. We still needed poles to cross some of the 7 creek crossings.

The Medium hike was lead by Jerry. They started at the #3 station of the tram. Some hikers picked up the tram on the way back and some hiked to the Park Visitor Center.

Medium Hiking Group at the Tram stop

Long Hiking Group after going over a stream. A park ranger joined us on the hike.

Seven Falls

Data for the Long hike

Email prior to the Hike

The Creek is high due to last week’s rain. The long hikers will get their feet wet at the first bridge unless they take their shoes off or cover your shoes. You may want to bring a little towel. 

Medium and Long Hikers may want to bring poles for balance on rocks when crossing the 7 creek crossings on the way to Seven Falls. 

The Falls are especially beautiful because there is so much water. 

Important - Book the Tram (Crawler) tickets ahead of time to ensure a ride if you are hiking in the Medium group.
Sabino Canyon Crawler - to book tram to Bear Canyon Hike

The beautiful Seven Falls is the final destination of this hike on the Bear Canyon trail. This trail follows a canyon with creek crossings and nice views.
The Medium hike starts on the Tram to travel for about one mile to shorten the hike. Book Tram online for 10:15 timeslot for $6.00. This hike is about 6.6 miles.
The Long hikers will hike all the way and not take the tram (crawler). 8.8 miles.

All Trails map of Bear Canyon at Sabino Canyon National Park

Sabino Canyon Website - Bear Canyon

Directions to the trailhead: From the Palm Creek Park's Main gate and turn left on Henness Road to Florence Blvd. Drive to 1-10 and turn south toward Tucson. Drive 53 miles to Exit 248 toward Ina Road. Turn left onto Ina Road and drive east (7.1 miles) until the highway meets Skyline Drive and starts heading southeast. After 1.9 miles this road turns into Sunrise Drive. In 6.3 miles turn left at the light onto Sabino Canyon Road. Sabino Canyon Visitor Center is a short distance on the right. It is 70.2 miles from Palm Creek to the Visitor Center. You can use your America the Beautiful Pass for your car (otherwise the fee is $5.00 per car). 

Google Maps to Sabino Canyon

Casa Grande Mountain Hike

Casa Grande Mountain Hike leaves the Palm Creek Parking Lot at 8:00 and arrives back to the Park before lunch.  
Proposed next hikes- Schedule may change
March 6 - American Flag Trail near Oracle
March 13 -14 - Weekend Chiricahua hikes. 
March 20 - Wrap up Picnic at the Sports Complex by the Ball Diamond (if we can book it)

Nancy’s cell: 403-896-9899   

Note: These hikes are designed to be an outing, not a race. Hikers are encouraged to hike together, socialize, and enjoy the fresh air and exercise, stopping as necessary to rest. To assure all hikers are accounted for, drivers will make sure that all the same hikers they take return with them. 

February 7, 2020 Hutch's Pool - Sabino Canyon

This hike located in the beautiful mountains of Sabino Canyon starts at the end of #9

Tram stop. The beginning of the trail has switchbacks that lead to a Junction of Phoneline Trail. The Hutch's pool trail turns left and up another set of switchbacks. At the top, there are views of Sabino Canyon. The trail then winds around to the other side of the mountain where parts of Mount Lemmon can be seen. From here it winds down into a valley and levels out across meadows. The fork in the trail is a good place to stop for lunch for the medium group. (6 miles total). The long hike will continue to Hutch's pool (8.9 miles total). We need to keep in mind that the tram's last ride is 4:30. 

Directions to the Trailhead: 

From the Palm Creek Park's Main gate and turn left on Henness Road to Florence Blvd. Drive to 1-10 and turn south toward Tucson. Drive 53 miles to Exit 248 toward Ina Road. Turn left onto Ina Road and drive east (7.1 miles) until the highway meets Skyline Drive and starts heading southeast. After 1.9 miles this road turns into Sunrise Drive. In 6.3 miles turn left at the light onto Sabino Canyon Road. Sabino Canyon Visitor Center is a short distance on the right. It is 70.2 miles from Palm Creek to the Visitor Center. You can use your America the Beautiful Pass for your car (otherwise the fee is $5.00 per car). At the Visitor Center proceed to the Tram where you can purchase a ticket (cost $10.00 per person). Try to embark on the Tram as a group. 

Google Maps to Sabino Canyon

Sabino Canyon Website 

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/arizona/hutchs-pool - this hike has not taken off the mileage
for the 3.8-mile tram ride to the trailhead.

Casa Grande Mountain Hike

Casa Grande Mountain Hike leaves the Palm Creek Parking Lot at 8:00 and arrives back

to the park before lunch.

 Proposed Next Hikes - Schedule may change

February 14 - Miner's Needle or Coffee Flat - Out and Back - Medium Group Coffee Flat - Out and Back - Long Hike

February 21 - Picketpost Mountain - South Trail - Medium Group
Picketpost Mountain Loop - Long Hike - Counterclockwise.
February 28 Bear Canyon to Seven Falls - Sabino Canyon - Out and Back for both groups.

Nancy's Cell - 403-896-9899

Note: These hikes are designed to be an outing, not a race. Hikers are encouraged to hike together, socialize, and enjoy the fresh air and exercise, stopping as necessary to rest. To assure all hikers are accounted for, drivers will make sure that all the same hikers they take, return with them.