Registration for this trip is free.

Trip Difficulty: Moderate. Approximately 3 mile loop, mostly on narrow, uneven, and rocky trail. Elevation gain of ~400 feet. There are a couple of steep areas.

Let’s explore the beautiful Sabino Canyon Recreation Area with a focus on finding our resident birds. Expect to see desert sparrows, wrens, towhees, and woodpeckers, and maybe get lucky and see a raptor or Gilded Flicker. While the focus is on birding, we can also discuss other plant and animal encounters. We should wrap up around 10:30 at the latest. Plan is to hike the unnamed trail connecting to the Esperero Trail then hike down to the Rattlesnake Picnic area from where we will return to the parking area.

We will meet at the overflow lot which is .3 miles north of the main Sabino Canyon entrance on Sabino Canyon Road. Requires National Recreation area parking fee of $8 per car or Interagency Recreational Pass. Highly recommend a sunhat, water, snack, and sensible walking shoes. Hiking poles may be useful. Beginning birders welcome. Limited to 10 participants.

Leader: Cathy Yungbluth (cathyyungbluth@gmail.com)