username
X
password
register
for free!
help
ArticlesGuidesRoutes
 
Photosets
 
 Comments
triplogs   photosets   labels comments more
Bear Canyon Trail #29 - 24 members in 101 triplogs have rated this an average 4 ( 1 to 5 best )
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6  Next
101 triplogs
login for filter options
Mar 31 2025
avatar

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

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Sabino - Bear Canyon LoopTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Mar 31 2025
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,124
Run/Jog17.90 Miles 3,075 AEG
Run/Jog17.90 Miles   4 Hrs   37 Mns   4.08 mph
3,075 ft AEG      14 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 
beautiful day for one of my local favorites. came back on phoneline to the link then along sabino creek. felt quite good today :)
_____________________
hi
 
Dec 29 2024
avatar

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

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Sabino - Bear Canyon LoopTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 29 2024
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,124
Hiking16.85 Miles 2,824 AEG
Hiking16.85 Miles   5 Hrs   28 Mns   3.28 mph
2,824 ft AEG      20 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 
Partners none no partners
perfect day for one of my favorite Tucson hikes. Bone dry out there, otherwise just beautiful. Bear Canyon is a little overgrown here and there above the falls but nothing serious - just brushy.
_____________________
hi
 
Mar 17 2024
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 262
 Photos 864
 Triplogs 266

51 male
 Joined Mar 24 2021
 Tucson, AZ
Phoneline Sabino loop, AZ 
Phoneline Sabino loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Mar 17 2024
JackluminousTriplogs 266
Hiking3.86 Miles 732 AEG
Hiking3.86 Miles   1 Hour   59 Mns   2.16 mph
732 ft AEG      12 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Hiked with wifey up Phoneline close to sunset, then headed down Phoneline Link as it started to get dark. We crossed Sabino Creek with headlamps, which was a challenging rock-hop. We walked the road back in the dark under about 3/4 of a moon. Splendid short jaunt.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
Broad meadows of poppies coming up Phoneline.
 
Jan 29 2023
avatar

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

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Bear Canyon Trail #29Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
 Hiking avatar Jan 29 2023
PrestonSandsTriplogs 2,097
 Hiking6.25 Miles 700 AEG
 Hiking6.25 Miles   1 Hour   53 Mns   3.32 mph
700 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Hike from Sabino trailhead up Bear Canyon Trail. Lots of hikers coming out when I was heading in. Beautiful day, lots of water flowing in the creek.

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Bear Canyon Medium flow Medium flow
Lots of flowing water, rock hopping necessary to stay dry.
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
 
Jan 28 2023
avatar

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

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Sabino - Bear Canyon LoopTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Jan 28 2023
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,124
Run/Jog16.72 Miles 2,621 AEG
Run/Jog16.72 Miles   3 Hrs   56 Mns   4.54 mph
2,621 ft AEG      15 Mns Break5 LBS Pack
 
Ideal day for this loop. Beautiful weather and tons of water everywhere. Even some snow on the East Fork Trail. I wasn't pushing the pace too much, and it wasn't the day for it with all the water in the crossings. Could see or hear water a lot of way currently, which is a real treat. managed to keep my feet dry until sabino road - several of the bridges were run over with water. Nothing to do there but plow on through :lol:

Bear Canyon: Trail is in fine shape to seven falls. Currently there is a lot of water in all of the crossings though i was able to make them all keeping my feet dry - though it took some work. Beyond the falls, the trail sees much less traffic. It isn't overgrown per se, but there is a lot of growth along the sides of the trail. Some it is catclaw-like and I was bleeding from a few spots by the end. The route is still easy to follow. The only tricky part is after the last creek crossing before climbing up the thimble flat - that is always a little tricky to find if you don't know where it is (quickly to the left and up the rocky incline). Up at the top about a mile before the Bear saddle there was some ice and mud hanging on. Someone came through on horses recently and tore up the muddy part of the trail a little bit. The upper parts of the trail have seen some erosion from all the rain the last year

East Fork: Never any route fining issues here. Bunch of hard pack snow on the trail but it wasn't very slippery. Again, torn up in the muddy spots from horses a little. Otherwise glorious as always. Little bit overgrown between palisade and box canyon but easy to follow still.

Sabino 23: No issues really. Pretty wide open.
_____________________
hi
  1 archive
Oct 01 2022
avatar

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

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Bear Canyon Trail #29Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
 Hiking avatar Oct 01 2022
PrestonSandsTriplogs 2,097
 Hiking3.70 Miles 350 AEG
 Hiking3.70 Miles
350 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Evening walk with Shauna.
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
 
May 05 2022
avatar

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

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Bear Canyon Trail #29Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
 Hiking avatar May 05 2022
PrestonSandsTriplogs 2,097
 Hiking7.50 Miles 1,200 AEG
 Hiking7.50 Miles
1,200 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
After work bike-n-hike. Rode my bike to the end of Bear Canyon Road and then hiked up to the base of the switchbacks at 3150 feet. Trying to enjoy the last bit of flowing water in the desert while it lasts.
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
 
May 02 2022
avatar

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

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Bear Canyon Trail #29Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
 Hiking avatar May 02 2022
PrestonSandsTriplogs 2,097
 Hiking6.20 Miles 770 AEG
 Hiking6.20 Miles   2 Hrs   5 Mns   3.23 mph
770 ft AEG      10 Mns Break
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Hiked up Bear Canyon Trail to the 3000 foot contour and sat down next to a nice pool in the bedrock to enjoy the sight and sound of running water at sunset. First time on this trail in years. Prettier than I remembered.

water 1 out of 5water less than maxwater less than maxwater less than max Bear Canyon Pools to trickle Pools to trickle
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
 
Mar 05 2022
avatar

 Photos 60
 Triplogs 10

male
 Joined May 14 2020
 Tempe
Sabino - Bear Canyon LoopTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Backpack avatar Mar 05 2022
WataugaTriplogs 10
Backpack21.31 Miles 3,238 AEG
Backpack21.31 Miles1 Day   2 Hrs      
3,238 ft AEG16.5 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
This was my first time backpacking in the Catalinas and I will definitely be back. The weather was perfect, the views were vast and the trails were in great shape.

Starting at the main Sabino Canyon parking area, we made our way up to the entrance of Bear Canyon using a combination of the paved road and the actual trail. We passed a few groups along the way to Seven Falls but I would not say that it was busy at all. The falls were running and were well worth the short detour down from the main trail. After the falls the trail began to switchback up the side of the canyon and we really started to gain elevation. There is a great spot to stop for lunch when the trail crosses Bear Creek. From here it is a long climb up and out of the canyon. Once we joined up with the AZT we followed it through East Sabino Canyon, into West Fork and eventually Hutch's Pool. We camped here for the night and my thermodrop recorded a low of 34. I was awoken by rain in the middle of the night, which was puzzling given the totally clear forecast that we had beforehand. When I got up the next morning I discovered that we had actually gotten a little bit of sleet instead of rain.

The hike back down to town was relatively straightforward. We retraced our steps on the AZT before turning right onto the Sabino Canyon trail and eventually the Powerline trail. There was a lot more foot traffic on both of these trails compared to Bear Canyon the day before. I really loved how the Powerline trail stayed very high along the canyon wall. It was a great point of view compared to hiking along the paved road on the canyon floor.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
A few sporadic blooms, but nothing to indicate that wildflower season has really arrived.

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 East Fork Sabino Canyon Heavy flow Heavy flow

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Seven Falls - Catalina Heavy flow Heavy flow
  1 archive
Jan 12 2022
avatar

 Guides 187
 Routes 990
 Photos 12,079
 Triplogs 865

72 male
 Joined Jun 27 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Seven Falls, AZ 
Seven Falls, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 12 2022
markthurman53Triplogs 865
Hiking7.74 Miles 1,358 AEG
Hiking7.74 Miles   4 Hrs   45 Mns   1.79 mph
1,358 ft AEG      25 Mns Break
 
Linked   linked  
Partners partners
mamakatt22
I figured it would be a good day to hike to 7 falls, there should be a good amount of water flowing. Ginny and I tried this hike this last August but Bear Canyon Creek near the trailhead was running waist high. We made it across the creek but knew we would never make the 7 creek crossings on the way to the falls. This time the creek was running but with a little rock hopping you could get across dry, At least I could. All the creek crossings were manageable except on crossing 4 Ginny decided to do a swan dive into a pool after loosing her balance on a rock. Luckily the temps weren't too bad so we continued on. The falls were running about the best I've seen and when we arrived we had the falls to ourselves. Wasn't long before more people arrived. About a dozen others. I was the only guy there. On the way out two more women and a man were heading down to joined the crowd, I told him as I was heading out be careful there is a lot of estrogen down there. I must be getting old there was a time I would of thought I died and gone to heaven.

Good time to head up to the falls they are running pretty good, not too much that getting to the falls is a challenge though. Temps were in the upper 40's to start but got up to the mid 60's by noon.
_____________________
 
Sep 16 2021
avatar

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

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Phoneline Trail #27Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Sep 16 2021
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,124
Run/Jog13.10 Miles 1,695 AEG
Run/Jog13.10 Miles   2 Hrs   46 Mns   4.94 mph
1,695 ft AEG      7 Mns Break5 LBS Pack
 
Partners none no partners
sabino road to the end then up to sabino 23. was going to take that out to the basin and trail junctions but it is so overgrown right now that i couldn't run more than 10 feet at a time and eventually just turned around about half way and bailed. came back on phoneline, then took bear canyon out to the road end. came back and cut over to sabino road on the lookout road.

got hot at the end otherwise nice morning
_____________________
hi
 
Feb 20 2021
avatar

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

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Sabino - Bear Canyon LoopTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Feb 20 2021
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,124
Run/Jog16.80 Miles 2,621 AEG
Run/Jog16.80 Miles   3 Hrs   25 Mns   5.04 mph
2,621 ft AEG      5 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 
Partners none no partners
i didn't get to run this with TTR for the anniversary year because i had to work. one of my local favorites. there was actually water all along bear canyon which was awesome to see. biffed about 6 miles in and took a healthy chunk out of my hand. it was a picture perfect day. historically i have always done the longer version of this, taking all trails.
_____________________
hi
 
Dec 21 2020
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 10
 Photos 42
 Triplogs 893

58 male
 Joined Jul 12 2012
 Oro Valley, AZ
Blacketts RidgeTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Dec 21 2020
SpiderLegsTriplogs 893
Run/Jog9.30 Miles 2,100 AEG
Run/Jog9.30 Miles   2 Hrs   30 Mns   3.72 mph
2,100 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Partners none no partners
Every year to celebrate another full circle around the sun I generally try to do a long run or hike on my birthday to assess the damage of Father Time. Figured on a Monday morning, Sabino Canyon would be fairly empty and for the most part I was right. Got to the parking lot around 10 AM and it was only half full, despite the glorious weather.

The goal was to get in 2.5 hours and sneak in a climb. Casually ran up the road until the Phone Line turnoff and headed up towards Blackett's Ridge. Made decent time up and topped out on Blackett's in 52 minutes from the car. Which according to my stat book puts me roughly 90 seconds slower than my best time two and a half years ago. This confirms I have reached the end of the era of setting PR's and now the goal is to keep within a few minutes of my best times.

Scooted back down Blackett's and decided to scope out Bear Canyon for a little bit. In January there will be an attempt to get close to the 40 year old record around the Bear Canyon Loop. A small crew of trail runners has been going out to scrub up the trail and it appears that their efforts are successful. The section of trail I did, the plants were all cut back and any loose rocks have been raked off the trail. The current record set in the early 80's for the 17 mile Bear Canyon Loop is 1:49, will be interesting to see how close the current crop of fast runners in Tucson can get. Apparently right after the record was set, much of the course was destroyed by a large rainstorm and nobody has been able to get within 15 minutes of the record.
_____________________
See my pics on Instagram @tucsonexplorer
 
Dec 20 2020
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 207
 Photos 93
 Triplogs 204

male
 Joined Aug 08 2020
 Phx az
Sabino - Bear Canyon LoopTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 20 2020
ScaredyCatTriplogs 204
Hiking17.90 Miles 4,268 AEG
Hiking17.90 Miles   9 Hrs   28 Mns   2.12 mph
4,268 ft AEG   1 Hour   1 Min Break
 
1st trip
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Be ready to literally dedicate the entire day to this 1. Woke 530 am, home 10 pm. I drove up from n phx. Completely worth it.

Once u get past 7 falls, u will find solitude. To your left u will be able to see the trails u just came from. When u get even further out, u will b surrounded by beauty.

The landscape will change and u will pass multiple junctions. All of which provide ample info. Great escape.
 
Oct 02 2020
avatar

 Guides 33
 Routes 286
 Photos 445
 Triplogs 251

35 male
 Joined Oct 23 2017
 Tempe
Bear Canyon Trail #29Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 02 2020
KingLeonidasTriplogs 251
Hiking3.37 Miles 417 AEG
Hiking3.37 Miles   1 Hour   29 Mns   2.27 mph
417 ft AEG8 LBS Pack
 
no photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Attempted Bear Canyon to 7 Falls with Victoria and my Dad.

One of the hikes we did during my Dad's week long visit for my birthday was 7 falls. We hit this spot on the way back from Sonoita. Victoria and I had hiked it before but it would have been my Dad's first time.

Unfortunately due to some delays in getting started, it was well into the afternoon by the time we started and it was very hot. It quickly became apparent that the trail was going to be too much for my dad (who was still recovering from surgery) so we cut the hike short pretty early on.

We'll have to give this one another shot when everyone is in better condition and ready for the challenge.
_____________________
 
Aug 10 2019
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 10
 Photos 42
 Triplogs 893

58 male
 Joined Jul 12 2012
 Oro Valley, AZ
Bear Canyon Trail #29Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Aug 10 2019
SpiderLegsTriplogs 893
Run/Jog9.50 Miles 1,600 AEG
Run/Jog9.50 Miles   2 Hrs   15 Mns   4.22 mph
1,600 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Partners none no partners
Last minute change of plans, had planned a day down in the Santa Ritas going up Old Baldy to get ready for a GC trip in a few weeks. Looked at the weather and the forecast was for early morning thunderstorms. Glad I did, as I was driving out of my subdivision I could look across the valley and see the lightning over Wrightson.

Hit Bear Canyon to sort of explore and do a slow run with plans to hit Blackett's Ridge on the way back to get some AEG. Very swampy in the canyons today and ran all the way up to Big Bear Rock and turned at the one hour point. Then went down and caught the connector trail over to Phoneline. Cruised up Phoneline but once I turned off onto to Blackett's started to feel off. Got passed by a few people, which isn't typical so I stopped to catch my breath and decided to cut the day's festivities short. One of those days that I can feel the fatigue from the Valley Fever as an intermittent side effect (which my doc said is normal, I'll have good days and bad days for about a year was his prognosis). Was hoping to get out for 12 miles or so today, but not in humid conditions.
_____________________
See my pics on Instagram @tucsonexplorer
 
May 11 2019
avatar

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

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Sabino - Bear Canyon LoopTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar May 11 2019
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,124
Hiking20.94 Miles 3,181 AEG
Hiking20.94 Miles   5 Hrs   11 Mns   4.24 mph
3,181 ft AEG      15 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 
took advantage of lower than usual temps to squeeze this loop in one more time before the infero sets in. ran it clockwise for the first time and this way felt tougher to me. did a side trip out to Hutch's Pool for the first time in years...still gorgeous!

saw a nice big LOUD rattler on the way back from the pool. i think it was a mojave

got hot towards the end. the falls were jammin, but that is to be expected on a gimme weather day like today.

didn't feel too good today but had a lovely trip nonetheless
_____________________
hi
  1 archive
Apr 13 2019
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 10
 Photos 42
 Triplogs 893

58 male
 Joined Jul 12 2012
 Oro Valley, AZ
Blacketts RidgeTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Apr 13 2019
SpiderLegsTriplogs 893
Run/Jog8.00 Miles 2,245 AEG
Run/Jog8.00 Miles   2 Hrs   20 Mns   3.43 mph
2,245 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Partners none no partners
Decided to break out of my bubble and actually drive more than 20 minutes to a trailhead. First time actually hitting the trails at Sabino Canyon, used to ride my road bike up the canyon back in college. By my calculations it's been almost 30 years since I've been here.

Wanted to get the lay of the land and a bit of AEG. Went up Blackett's Ridge first and from the parking lot to the summit took me 50 minutes. Then went back down and trotted up the Phoneline Trail until I hit my turnaround time. I think everybody visiting Tucson was at Sabino Canyon this morning, by the time I left at 8:30 AM the parking lot was full and cars were circling around waiting for spaces to open up.

Got back to my car and noticed the car next to me had a HAZ sticker on the rear window as well.
_____________________
See my pics on Instagram @tucsonexplorer
 
Apr 13 2019
avatar

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

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Sabino - Bear Canyon LoopTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Apr 13 2019
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,124
Run/Jog17.30 Miles 2,950 AEG
Run/Jog17.30 Miles   3 Hrs   58 Mns   30 Secs4.50 mph
2,950 ft AEG      8 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 
hit this on the perfect day. gorgeous temps, tons and tons of flowers, ample water still flowing and everything green. as good as it gets for this iconic tucson route

felt good
_____________________
hi
 
Nov 04 2018
avatar

 Routes 11
 Photos 2,313
 Triplogs 222

59 male
 Joined Oct 17 2010
 GILBERT
Bear Canyon Trail #29Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 04 2018
ALMALTriplogs 222
Hiking6.20 Miles 1,109 AEG
Hiking6.20 Miles
1,109 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Made a quick stop to check out some water.

As usual, I parked at the end of Bear Canyon Rd and hiked in to the falls from there and back.
_____________________
You aren't late if you don't show up!
 
average hiking speed 2.09 mph
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6  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.

helpcommentissue

end of page marker