Sabino Basin Run

This route was introduced several years ago as an introductory run for early in the season.  The run starts at the alcove on the east side of Sabino Canyon Visitors Center.  From there, you go east 0.9 to the Phone Line trailhead.  Start up Phone Line trail.  Shortly you’ll encounter a junction with the Blackett Ridge trail to the right (That’s a very interesting, very steep ascent to the ridge, then out to an overlook.).  Continue on and you’ll encounter the junction with the switchbacks down to the canyon bottom (a left turn; stay straight).  Now you’re paralleling the road at the bottom of the canyon.  Eventually, you’ll cross a rocky spine.  You’ll see the junction with the Sabino Primitive Trail.  Stay straight and you’ll hit a switchback, the a drop and swing to the west, then a small climb to the junction with the switchbacks that lead to the top of the road.  At this point, you’ve run about 4.9 miles.  Stay straight again and you’ll be heading toward Sabino Basin.  You’ll twist and turn for about 2 miles, with interesting views of the canyon bottom and back range of the Santa Catalinas, then you’ll drop to the canyon bottom at Sabino Basin.  Notice the mostly buried sign just past the small creek bed.  The very large, eroded water course to the left is Sabino East Fork, which joins with Sabino West Fork a short distance to the west.  Turn around.  If you’re doing the full distance, retrace your steps.  You’ll end up with 13 miles and a bit.  A somewhat shorter option is to drop down to Sabino Canyon Road when you reach the top of the switchbacks.  That’s about 0.7 miles shorter and easier running if you’re tired.  Regardless of route, remember to check in with the run director when you finish (And have some refreshments).

Here’s an annotated map (Click on the map to see the whole thing):