Phoneline Trail

Hiked the Phoneline (I guess there used to be an old telephone line in the area) trail with the Voyager Hiking Club today. Beautiful hike in the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area; part of the Coronado National Forest outside of Tucson. The hike was only about 5 miles since our group took the Tram ($8!) up the hill; otherwise I'm told the trail is about 9 miles RT. It is a nice area with plenty of Saguaro cactus and other desert plants; geology is mostly Gneiss. The trail is relatively level, well marked, and an easy trek. We averaged about 1.5mph with frequent breaks.

Quite a few people walking and running the trail (20 in our group); surprised by the high volume (it is Tuesday), but it is probably due to the holiday (Vet. Day). Temp about 70-80 depending on whether we were in the shade or sun. We stopped at a very large, flat rock to enjoy lunch; afterwords, we walked downhill to the parking lot. Our hike wasn't much of a workout but this trail would be a great training area - running up the hill from the parking lot.

Based on this and last week's hikes, I've concluded these hikes are more of a social event than strenuous exercise; which is ok with me (for now:). My fellow hikers are all very nice so it is an opportunity to get to know them; I'll get my strenuous exercise another way:)

Tram

Habitat

Some of our group on the trail.

Saguaro everywhere!