Phoneline-Sabino Canyon Loop

Another beautiful day and another easier rehab day to get my sprained ankle back to 80 percent or so before a more serious hike on Thursday. That will also be a 9+ mile hike, up to Wasson Peak via the Sweetwater trail, but rated hard because of elevation gain. Today was a fairly easy 9.2 miles and 1,100 feet of elevation gain.

The route was the wonderful Phoneline Trail to the ½ mile-long Sabino Canyon Trail connector down to the Sabino Canyon tram road for the final ~4 miles, a moderate rated hike. While Phoneline itself is quite rocky (not the best for a twisted, sprained ankle), the last four miles were downhill on a paved road through Sabino Canyon—just what the doctor ordered.

All trails in the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area literally start out as a walk in the park, before diverging at various points along the main artery.

Up towards Blackett's Ridge, perhaps my favorite "workout hike."

The Phoneline Trail parallels the Sabino Canyon tram road seen in the distance, but higher up on the canyon walls.

A sample of what the trail was, rocky, ascending, and shaded for much of the way this time of day.

Looking back from whence I came.

1/2/ mile from here, via the Sabino Creek Trail, down to the tram road back.

Aspens beginning to show their colors.