Catalina Mts: Sabino Canyon to Cardiac Gap

Thursday, December 5, 2019 7:00 AM
• 7.25 miles round trip
• Total Elevation Gain: 2200'
• Rating: Intermediate
(See "What we're about" at https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Tucson/)

**RESTRICTIONS: No guests, dogs, firearms or tobacco
• Cell phones SILENT during hike
Be sure to bring adequate water and snacks.

This hike starts at the Gold Mine trail which begins at the Sabino Canyon overflow parking area.

The following is adapted from Don Barr's hike description on September 30, 2012

About 20 minutes from the overflow parking area we will come to a junction near the Rattlesnake Trail. We are now at the Esperero Trail which will take us up to Cardiac Gap and the grassy ridge where we will break for snacks before returning.

Esperero Trail now climbs up to a ridge, goes across the top of the ridge for a few minutes, drops down into a small canyon (Bird Canyon), crosses the canyon, and then starts climbing out of the other side of the small canyon. As we climb out of this small canyon we will see a road and some houses off to your left.

Shortly after climbing up out of Bird Canyon, the trail crosses the nose of the ridge, and turns right to head up the medium sized canyon just north of Bird Canyon. The trail makes its way to the bottom of the canyon without losing elevation by contouring upcanyon until the canyon bottom rises to the level of the trail. Then the trail goes up the canyon along its bottom for about 25 minutes, going back and forth across the dry stream bed a number of times. At the upper end of the canyon are a number of switchbacks that climb up a steep slope that end at a ridgetop. This last section of switchbacks is what Betty Leavengood calls "Cardiac Gap," though it is not nearly as fearsome as the name suggests.

After we climb Cardiac Gap we are looking a long way down into a large and deep bowl, which is Esperero Canyon. The grassy area around the upper edge of this bowl is called Geronimo Meadows, and it is a beautiful grassland area with ocotillos, shindaggers, and scattered oak trees.

RSVP etiquette:
• Sign up only if you really intend to come
• If you need to cancel, do so BEFORE the deadline so someone can get your spot
• If you change your mind take yourself off the Going or Wait list
• Please don't be a no-show

Be sure to bring adequate water, food, trekking poles, etc.
As always - Hike at Your Own Risk

Questions?
Message me through MeetUP
Cell: 304.290.8066
WV-Mike