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Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian Area - 6 members in 26 triplogs have rated this an average 3.2 ( 1 to 5 best )
1, 2  Next
26 triplogs
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Sep 02 2025
avatar

 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,124

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Mt Lemmon Miles, AZ 
Mt Lemmon Miles, AZ
 
Run/Jog avatar Sep 02 2025
fricknaley • Triplogs 4,124
Run/Jog18.00 Miles 2,864 AEG
Run/Jog18.00 Miles   4 Hrs   8 Mns   4.50 mph
2,864 ft AEG      8 Mns Break7 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Sunset Trail #90 - Catalina
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian Area
Partners none no partners
Bunch of stuff from Sunset TH including trip out to Bigelow and through Summerhaven. pretty windy but otherwise really nice up there today
_____________________
hi
 
Jul 31 2022
avatar

 Guides 170
 Routes 148
 Photos 5,914
 Triplogs 2,097

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian AreaTucson, AZ
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian Area
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 31 2022
PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097
Hiking1.50 Miles 370 AEG
Hiking1.50 Miles
370 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Late afternoon hike with Shauna and Alice pup staring at the bottom end. Got almost to the ski area when the first thunderstorm hit. Downpour for a short time and then it moved on. Another big thunderstorm was approaching as we reached the truck. Decided not to chance trying another trail, which was wise, as the skies soon opened and unleashed fury. Lots of close lightning, whitewater and rock on the road and some roadside waterfalls along the highway driving down.
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
 
Jul 21 2022
avatar

 Guides 170
 Routes 148
 Photos 5,914
 Triplogs 2,097

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Aspen Draw Trail #423Tucson, AZ
Aspen Draw Trail #423
Tucson, AZ
 Hiking avatar Jul 21 2022
PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097
 Hiking5.60 Miles 1,550 AEG
 Hiking5.60 Miles   2 Hrs      2.92 mph
1,550 ft AEG      5 Mns Break
 no routes
Linked   linked  
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian Area
Partners none no partners
Evening hike after working on Mount Lemmon. Started at Carter Canyon trailhead, went up Radio Ridge, over to the summit trailhead, down Aspen Draw and Upper Sabino Canyon trails, and then through Summerhaven to close the loop. Wonderfully cool, overcast, raspberries in season, hermit thrushes calling, wildflowers and green things, and other good stuff. Great hike, finished at dark.
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
 
Sep 11 2021
avatar

 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,124

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Aspen / Marshall LoopTucson, AZ
Aspen / Marshall Loop
Tucson, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Sep 11 2021
fricknaley • Triplogs 4,124
Run/Jog20.30 Miles 3,245 AEG
Run/Jog20.30 Miles   4 Hrs   35 Mns   4.60 mph
3,245 ft AEG      10 Mns Break7 LBS Pack
 
Linked   linked  
Sunset Trail #90 - Catalina
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian Area
Partners none no partners
sunset - marshall/aspen - up through summerhaven - out and back on upper sabino riparian - highway - bear wallow to bigelow (and little bigs each way) and back.

perfect day and temps. felt pretty good overall.
_____________________
hi
 
Sep 10 2021
avatar

 Guides 170
 Routes 148
 Photos 5,914
 Triplogs 2,097

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Mount Lemmon 9,157Tucson, AZ
Mount Lemmon 9,157
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 10 2021
PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097
Hiking6.65 Miles 1,812 AEG
Hiking6.65 Miles
1,812 ft AEG
 
Linked   linked  
Aspen Draw Trail #423
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian Area
Partners none no partners
After work hike to the true summit of Mount Lemmon via Radio Ridge and Mint Spring trailhead. Wildflowers are on the wane on Radio Ridge. Signed the big notebook in the giant summit register jar. Beautiful and cool on the summit. Took Aspen Draw Trail down to upper Sabino Canyon for the return hike. Sabino Creek is flowing strongly. Enjoyed a couple of freshly picked apples while passing through Summerhaven. Made it back at dusk.
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
 
Aug 31 2021
avatar

 Guides 170
 Routes 148
 Photos 5,914
 Triplogs 2,097

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Aspen Draw Trail #423Tucson, AZ
Aspen Draw Trail #423
Tucson, AZ
 Hiking avatar Aug 31 2021
PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097
 Hiking4.15 Miles 1,101 AEG
 Hiking4.15 Miles   1 Hour   25 Mns   2.93 mph
1,101 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   linked  
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian Area
Partners none no partners
After work hike starting at Iron Door restaurant parking lot. Took advantage of a break in the storms and went up Aspen Draw Trail to the top of Radio Ridge. Copious rain and damp gave the trail a rain foresty-feel and clouds/fog swirled through the trees. Great wildflowers on top of Radio Ridge, and a cool view looking south onto a blanket of clouds far below in the distance. Returned the same way but took a side trek down upper Sabino Canyon trail for some extra woodsy time in the light but steady rain. Beautiful and not another person to be seen. Changed into dry clothes at my truck and then made the slow and memorable drive down Lemmon through heavy fog for the first half, and then heavy rain the second. Unknowingly drove through a torrent of water rolling across the highway below Molino Basin, didn’t care for that. Amazing evening.
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
  1 archive
Aug 27 2021
avatar

 Guides 170
 Routes 148
 Photos 5,914
 Triplogs 2,097

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Radio Ridge loop, AZ 
Radio Ridge loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Aug 27 2021
PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097
Hiking5.00 Miles 1,470 AEG
Hiking5.00 Miles   1 Hour   45 Mns   2.86 mph
1,470 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Aspen Draw Trail #423
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian Area
Partners none no partners
After work hike starting at Mint Spring Trailhead. Moved quickly up Radio Ridge, cautiously eyeing a growing, occasionally rumbling thunderstorm parked over Pusch Ridge. Cloud cover and cool temps, but high humidity had me sweating. Great summer wildflowers near the top included pink cosmos. Late summer is my favorite time of year in the sky island country. Went down Aspen Draw, noting the night and day change in the plant life since my pre-monsoon hike here in June. Super green and hydrated forest now. Lots of water in upper Sabino Creek too. Beautiful as always. Walked the road through an unusually mellow Summerhaven, then completed the loop by walking back up to Mint Spring trailhead.
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
 
Sep 28 2018
avatar

 Photos 303
 Triplogs 13

43 male
 Joined Apr 06 2017
 Tucson
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian AreaTucson, AZ
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian Area
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 28 2018
vanillagorilla • Triplogs 13
Hiking1.50 Miles 370 AEG
Hiking1.50 Miles
370 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Easy local hike to do real quick. I recommend this one to all the out of towners asking for an easy weekend hike to knock out.
_____________________
 
Aug 04 2018
avatar

 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,124

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Aspen / Marshall Superloop via Radio RidgeTucson, AZ
Aspen / Marshall Superloop via Radio Ridge
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 04 2018
fricknaley • Triplogs 4,124
Hiking16.05 Miles 4,330 AEG
Hiking16.05 Miles   4 Hrs   40 Mns   3.62 mph
4,330 ft AEG      14 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 
Linked   6 linked trail guides
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian Area
Aspen Draw Trail #423
Aspen Trail #93
Aspen / Marshall Loop
Marshall Gulch Trail #3
Mint Spring Trail #20
Partners none no partners
still dealing with this calf injury so i was very noncommittal on what i was going to try, even on the drive up i switched plans.

decided to bring my day back and therefore commit to not running. i jogged some, hiked some and just generally tried to move efficiently

out and back upper sabino riparian, then aspen draw, and reversed the aspen/marshall superloop, back down aspen draw and upper sabino riparian one more time. just because

rains have pumped some life into the mountains. mint spring trail is in the best shape i have probably ever seen it. powerline road is getting overgrown in spots and remains a beatdown!
_____________________
hi
  2 archives
Apr 30 2017
avatar

 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,124

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Mt Lemmon Torture Fest, AZ 
Mt Lemmon Torture Fest, AZ
 
Run/Jog avatar Apr 30 2017
fricknaley • Triplogs 4,124
Run/Jog19.00 Miles 4,678 AEG
Run/Jog19.00 Miles   5 Hrs   30 Mns   3.68 mph
4,678 ft AEG      20 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   7 linked trail guides
Aspen Draw Trail #423
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian Area
Mount Lemmon Trail #5
Wilderness of Rocks Trail #44
Mount Lemmon Loop - Lemmon / WOR / Aspen
Marshall Gulch Trail #3
Aspen Trail #93
Partners none no partners
big day up on lemmon. i parked at the mt lemmon trailhead. went down aspen draw, upper sabino riparian to summerhaven and back. loaded up the pack then hit mt lemmon, wilderness of rocks, marshall gulch to TH and back, then died up radio ridge on the aspen trail back to my car.

i've recently highlited the post winter conditions of some of these trails. new reports:

Aspen Draw: from the top of radio ridge to the upper sabino riparian juntion is clear. there is a nuisance tree down on the spur to ski valley parking lot

upper sabino riparian: a couple of big down trees that are surprisingly tough to get over/around depending on the route you take (these are on the singletrack, not the nearby wider roadbed.

Mt lemmon: totally clear to WOR from my recollection. awesome of course

Wilderness of Rocks: clear from my recollection. love love love this trail. not much water in upper lemmon creek but definitely some

heading into the beastly final climb up aspen trail to radio ridge nearly killed me today. Wow

cold at the start (upper 30's at 9000 feet)

killer route
_____________________
hi
  1 archive
Jun 19 2016
avatar

 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,124

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Aspen / Marshall Superloop via Radio RidgeTucson, AZ
Aspen / Marshall Superloop via Radio Ridge
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 19 2016
fricknaley • Triplogs 4,124
Hiking13.85 Miles 3,527 AEG
Hiking13.85 Miles   4 Hrs   32 Mns   3.27 mph
3,527 ft AEG      18 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 
Linked   6 linked trail guides
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian Area
Aspen Draw Trail #423
Aspen Trail #93
Marshall Gulch Trail #3
Aspen / Marshall Loop
Mint Spring Trail #20
Partners none no partners
upper sabino riparian out and back, then up aspen draw, down aspen, back on marshall gulch, mint springs, up radio ridge via the powerline road and back down aspen draw

i was post call and figured this would be rough since i wouldn't be starting very early, plus the record heat forecast. i ran the first half, shuffled marshall gulch and mint spring and took a savage beating on the powerline road. too hot and exposed. it was over 90 degrees above 8000 feet still :o

it's a beautiful high country route on mt lemmon
_____________________
hi
  1 archive
Jun 28 2015
avatar

 Guides 170
 Routes 148
 Photos 5,914
 Triplogs 2,097

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Mount Lemmon 9,157Tucson, AZ
Mount Lemmon 9,157
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 28 2015
PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097
Hiking4.50 Miles 404 AEG
Hiking4.50 Miles
404 ft AEG
 
Linked   linked  
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian Area
Aspen Draw Trail #423
Partners none no partners
An afternoon atop the Lemmon:

Hiked from Radio Ridge toward the summit of Mount Lemmon, and almost made it before a threatening thunderstorm rolled in, causing us to retreat to the car. Waited out the storm, and then drove down to Summerhaven. Hiked up upper Sabino Canyon to Ski Valley before continuing up Aspen Draw Trail for awhile. Another storm was approaching from the east, and it looked particularly nasty. We headed down and made it back to the car before the dark wall of clouds released their fury. The monsoons have been generous to the top of the Catalinas so far. Sabino Creek is flowing and fresh, summer greenery abounds.
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
  2 archives
Sep 29 2013
avatar

 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,124

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian AreaTucson, AZ
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian Area
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 29 2013
fricknaley • Triplogs 4,124
Hiking1.50 Miles 370 AEG
Hiking1.50 Miles
370 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Fabulous hike with Sierra. She proclaimed this her new favorite trail in the catalinas. A few select pockets of maples are juuuust starting to turn but by and large not yet
_____________________
hi
 
May 15 2011
avatar

 Guides 5
 Photos 26,458
 Triplogs 807

female
 Joined Feb 15 2003
 outside, anywher
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian AreaTucson, AZ
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian Area
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar May 15 2011
RedRoxx44 • Triplogs 807
Hiking1.50 Miles 370 AEG
Hiking1.50 Miles
370 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Hiked from the Marshall Gulch TH. Went down the canyon a ways mostly scrambling in the creek, some small waterfalls, lots of trash that had washed down. Following the old trail was hard due to downed trees and scree from the old burn. Went down till you get to some of the bigger and more difficult boxes then turned around. One of these days will do the trip all the way down.
Got a granite and pine fix.
_____________________
 
Oct 02 2010
avatar

 Triplogs 11

47 male
 Joined Jan 22 2009
 Tucson, AZ
Aspen Draw Trail #423Tucson, AZ
Aspen Draw Trail #423
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 02 2010
lookout • Triplogs 11
Hiking4.50 Miles 1,150 AEG
Hiking4.50 Miles
1,150 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian Area
Partners none no partners
Lovely hike through the Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian Area and Aspen Draw Trail. This area probably has the prettiest forest in the Catalinas that I've seen. Still a decent amount of water in upper Sabino.
_____________________
 
Sep 01 2010
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 4
 Photos 3,873
 Triplogs 362

51 female
 Joined Feb 12 2008
 Tucson, AZ
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian AreaTucson, AZ
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian Area
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 01 2010
sirena • Triplogs 362
Hiking2.00 Miles 370 AEG
Hiking2.00 Miles   2 Hrs      1.00 mph
370 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Mr. Sirena and I took the dogs up the mountain. Our dog Zeus is 12 and not as spry as he used to be, but he still had a great time and so did our other dog Bailey. I miss having them on the trail for long hikes.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Unidentified Mushroom or Fungi  Yellow Columbine
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Dog
_____________________
 
Jul 31 2010
avatar

 Routes 37
 Photos 2,160
 Triplogs 627

43 female
 Joined Mar 01 2010
 Phoenix, AZ
Lemmon Squeezin' Loop, AZ 
Lemmon Squeezin' Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jul 31 2010
juliachaos • Triplogs 627
Hiking14.00 Miles 3,800 AEG
Hiking14.00 Miles   6 Hrs      2.33 mph
3,800 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian Area
Aspen Draw Trail #423
Mount Lemmon Trail #5
Wilderness of Rocks Trail #44
Marshall Gulch Trail #3
Partners partners
berkforbes
BobP
fricknaley
joebartels
MARLIN
The_Eagle
Fun hike, even with views obscured by clouds. Would love to get up there another time when there's better visibility and less rain. :) Great to meet you Bob, Chris, and Nick. Good hiking with Joe, Bruce, and Berk again.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Teva
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
_____________________
 
Jul 31 2010
avatar

 Guides 41
 Routes 1,626
 Photos 14,983
 Triplogs 2,760

69 male
 Joined Jan 20 2009
 Far NE Phoenix,
Lemmon Squeezin' Loop, AZ 
Lemmon Squeezin' Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jul 31 2010
The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760
Hiking14.00 Miles 3,800 AEG
Hiking14.00 Miles   6 Hrs      2.33 mph
3,800 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian Area
Aspen Draw Trail #423
Mount Lemmon Trail #5
Wilderness of Rocks Trail #44
Marshall Gulch Trail #3
Partners partners
berkforbes
BobP
fricknaley
joebartels
juliachaos
MARLIN
Great hike with a mostly nice group of hikers.

Made the mistake of hiking with Fraley. We were a little too close to the Fraley's all day and could not see much. Great meeting you.
Chris, nice meeting you.... yooou are a mad man. I hope you are not seeing all the colors anymore from the shrooms.
Berk, son of Steve Forbes, nice meet you also. I hope I get the chance to hike with all of you again.

I've hiked with JuLIZia, Bobby, and Joe-Joe the Wonder Chimp before, and it was great hiking with most of them again.

Even with all the poor visibility, this was a very nice hike. Lots-o-Green, Lots-o-Water, Lots-o-Rocks. The 150 or so creeks/streams crossings that were a bit more than a trickle when we started, were gushing from the driving rain for the last 1-1/2 hours of the hike.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPqVA3IZAT8

I started out being careful to step on the rocks and logs to keep my feet dry when crossing at first, and then just gave up an trounced through the knee deep water.

I need to do this one again.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
_____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry 🦅
 
Jul 31 2010
avatar

 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,124

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Lemmon Squeezin' Loop, AZ 
Lemmon Squeezin' Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jul 31 2010
fricknaley • Triplogs 4,124
Hiking14.00 Miles 3,800 AEG
Hiking14.00 Miles   6 Hrs      2.33 mph
3,800 ft AEG
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian Area
Mount Lemmon Trail #5
Wilderness of Rocks Trail #44
Marshall Gulch Trail #3
Aspen Draw Trail #423
Partners partners
berkforbes
BobP
joebartels
juliachaos
MARLIN
The_Eagle
met the merry crew of lamers for a grand tour of some of the catalina highcountry. we made it further than i expected before getting poured on for the last 3-4 miles. for the record, the wilderness of rock and marshall gulch trails both become raging rivers when it rains...whee!

it was my absolute pleasure to meet and hike with you all (even you again, bob). you'll have to come back when visibility exceeds 10 feet. i swear there are some sweet views up there. :sl:
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
_____________________
hi
 
Jul 31 2010
avatar

 Routes 1
 Photos 442
 Triplogs 114

male
 Joined Jun 02 2009
 Chandler, AZ
Lemmon Squeezin' Loop, AZ 
Lemmon Squeezin' Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jul 31 2010
MARLIN • Triplogs 114
Hiking14.00 Miles 3,800 AEG
Hiking14.00 Miles   6 Hrs      2.33 mph
3,800 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian Area
Mount Lemmon Trail #5
Wilderness of Rocks Trail #44
Marshall Gulch Trail #3
Aspen Draw Trail #423
Partners partners
berkforbes
BobP
fricknaley
joebartels
juliachaos
The_Eagle
Great hike, great company. Did not need the umbrella, it didn't help. Didn't even need water, could drink the rain.

Mushrooms were delicious...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXaHDKsSVYo
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Unidentified Mushroom or Fungi
_____________________
 
average hiking speed 2.38 mph
1, 2  Next

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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