Abundant monsoon rains have amplified the scenic splendor of popular Sabino Canyon — bringing a melodic flow of water to the canyon creek and leaving desert slopes looking almost impossibly green.
Hikers, runners, nature lovers and photographers have found lots to like this week in the canyon northeast of Tucson, with many making their way to Sabino Dam and other sites along the creek to take in the spectacle of water flowing through a landscape spiked with saguaros.
A walk or tram ride up the canyon’s main road takes visitors past slopes showing emerald hues in place of the usual light green and brown colors of the desert. The road winds above the creek in some areas and crosses several bridges over the stream.
For a closer look at barrel cactus blooms, birds, butterflies and the creek in all its splendor, walk east from the canyon parking lot on the wide first segment of the Bear Canyon Trail for nearly half a mile until it meets a road. Follow the road to the right as it leads downhill to a spot where signs will direct you to Sabino Dam.
The dam was a gushing spectacle in recent days and should continue to have a good flow if more rain falls over the Catalina Mountains next week.
From the dam site, follow a path north and watch for a sign marking the short Bluff Trail. This 0.2-mile trail makes up in scenery what it lacks in length. It winds along a bluff above the creek, where cottonwoods and other stream-side trees flourish, on its way to the main canyon road. From there, it’s a walk of about three-quarters of a mile back to the visitor center and parking lot.
