HikeArizona.COM

I'm new to the site so I could use some suggestions...

I'm gonna be in Tucson for an evening event in a couple of weeks. Since I have the day off I figured I'll go down early and maybe take in a hike first. I'm wondering if anyone can suggest a trail that fits these parameters:

roughly five miles round trip
trailhead accessible via a compact car
doesn't require too much travel south or east of Tucson (I'm coming from the Valley so I'd rather not add another two hours round trip going the opposite way)
offers something slightly unique to the area (not just the same desert scenery we get in Phx area)

This will be my first time hiking in the Tucson area so I'm hoping to "make it count". Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Pima Canyon might fit the bill - East on Ina Rd, just past Oracle Rd (~1 mile) you can't miss the sign for for the trailhead. I know Sirena is familiar with a ton of trails down there maybe she'll chime in.

I second the Pima Canyon suggestion.

get down there even earlier and do Wrightson... you'll be glad you did...

If you want a very unique experience, check out "The Pillars"... just up Catalina Highway towards Mt. Lemmon. It is something.

For a five mile hike with the most bang for the buck close to I-10, Pusch Peak is awesome, but tough and requires some routefinding skills (and FYI- I'd plan on longer than the listed time of 3 hours): http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=94

I don't know if Catalina State Park is out of your way, but if you didn't mind driving there, you could hike to Romero Pools: http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=212

Or you could go with Pima Canyon, except I'd make it a six mile hike to the first dam. The views open up to the interior of the canyon and it's a great spot for lunch.

Thank you guys for all your suggestions. I see I have some research to do. I'm liking what I read about Pima Canyon. Plus, it's a pretty good excuse for me to avoid the I-10 and take "the back way" to Tucson, but I'll definitely research all the hikes you mentioned.

Romero. Pima will be a disappointment if you have to turn around at ~2.5 miles...