Sabino Canyon Geological Field Trip

Arizona Geological Society, 2014

Sabino Canyon is located at the northern edge of the Tucson, AZ, area and was the location of the annual geological field trip of the Arizona Geological Society in 2014. I have been a member of this society since I moved to Arizona full time in 2012. The preferred way to visit the canyon is to pay a small fee for an all-day shuttle service ticket and ride the shuttle 2.5 miles upstream and then walk back down the single-lane access road to end your tour at the ranger station at the mouth of the canyon.

This map of Sabino Canyon (the more northerly canyon on this map) shows the shuttle bus route and the many stops that are available. One ticket allows you to ride the bus all day and to get on ond off as many times as you please.

The views are beautiful.

The topography is very rugged and the area seems to be optimal for the growth of the saguaro cactus.

The one-lane access road is delightful.

No explanation needed. Bicycles are permittede only before 9 AM and after 5 PM, and not at all on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Pets are never premitted.

The bedrock is a metamorphic core complex. Notice the people for scale.

Me by pothole features cut into the metamorphic gneisses exposed in the stream bed.

If you get to the Tucson area, you must, must, must visit Sabino Canyon. Allow a full day for ample opportunity to explore.

For more information about the Arizona Geological Society, see the following link: https://www.arizonageologicalsoc.org