Tucson in February, day hikes?

[Anthony Lutton]

I’ll be traveling with my wife (who has daytime work committments) to Tucson in Feb (12th-16th).  I’m not sure I’ll have any transportation from our hotel (and I don’t know what hotel YET).

Looking at things close to Tucson, I found the Sabino Canyon trails and recreation area.  Are these recommended if I only have the daytime hours (no overnights, need to be back by 4-5pm)?  Are there any other areas accessible by public means?

I’m a moderately experience hiker (backpacked/hiked many weekend trips and midwest areas), but I have no experience in the southwest.  A 10ish mile hike is about my limit as I’m a lazy research scientist most days!

Also… anyone IN the area that would be up for taking a days vacation and show me the best of the Tucson outdoors?

[Jerry Adams]

I’ve done that, nice hike, nice time of year

I’ve also done Saguaro National Park

[J-L]

Sabino Canyon has several good day-hikes for typical February weather and is close to Tucson

I think Catalina State Park may be accessible by bus + about 1 mile of walking. The Romero Pools hike is good, particularly if you keep going past the main pools.

Finger Rock is another hike I have done that is close to town. It’s more difficult, and you may run into snow or ice at its highest elevation (or you may have 70 degree weather)

https://hikearizona.com/ will be your best resource for finding hikes and hiking partners.

[HkNewman]

In dayhiking range, Saguaro is more desert like while Sabino you can get into more forest from the road.

[Anthony Lutton]

Thanks for the responses so far! I’m in central Ohio, so it is flat, forest and wet.  I typically carry 2 liters of water and filter as needed… would I need more use to less available sources? Or is 2-3 reasonable for a few shorter hikes?

I’ll check out the site linked.

[Jerry Adams]

day hike? – carry 1 or 2 liters of water.  Drink a bunch of water before you start.  Have some water to drink when you get back to trail head.  It might be hot in February.  You probably won’t find any water you could filter.

[Russ W]

Just there 3 weeks ago and can highly recommend  Pima Canyon, and the Eastern side of Seguaro National Park.

 

[Steve M]

Two Ideas:

*Climb Picacho Peak (in Picacho Peak State Park–just north of Tucson).   Really cool trail/day hike with an amazing view from the top of the peak.

*Not really a hike, but check out the Sonora Desert Museum (West of Tucson).  Among other things, it has a very impressive hummingbird aviary–that you actually can go into.

[Anthony Lutton]

Wow the Picacho Peak and Pima canyon hikes look great!  Now I just have to figure out how to get there.  I’m still waiting to see what our hotel arrangements are, but I’ll definitely hit some of these.  If I have to pay for an Uber type ride, I’m thinking I’ll do Picacho Peak and try to use public rides for the others.

[Steve Thompson]

Hmmm, February.  Much depends on weather between now and then, and your access to a car.  Assuming you need to stay close, best bet is Sabino Canyon.

Easy dayhike, approx 8 miles, simply hike the road.  Another easy dayhike, approx 7 miles, take the tram to Bear Canyon and hike to 7 Falls and back.

Moderate dayhike from Sabino Canyon, about 8 miles, Bridalveil Falls.

Wickedly awesome dayhike, The Window.  about 16 miles.  And you will see Bridalveil Falls.

If you have access to car and can drive a little bit, then head to Madero Canyon.  If snowfall has been minimal the hike up to summit Mt Wrightson is hard to beat.

Steve

[Anthony Lutton]

Thank you for all of the great advice everyone.  My wife’s company is allowing us to stay at the Embassy Suites Paloma Village about 2 miles from Finger Rock Trailhead in the Catalina Foothills.  The great news is that the hotel offers a shuttle to Pima Canyon, Sabino Canyon and Saguaro!

So my plan is to try and hike an area each day (I have Mon, Tues, Weds and possibly Thurs morning).   I’m definitely looking foward to Sabino Canyon and Bear Canyon trails.

I know the tram in Sabino Canyon runs until 4:30, but you are allowed to hike/walk the road in the evenings, correct?  My wife will be done each day about 4pm and I’d like to get her out walking somewhere if I can, but she isn’t too “outdoorsy”.

Thanks again BPL’ers!  If anyone wants to join me, I’ll be there Feb 13-17 (Mon-Thurs).  Contact me via PM and we can hike together.

[Author]

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