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Hutch's Pool, Santa Catalina
Mountains
| Summary: |
A pleasant hike to a popular swimming hole in the Santa
Catalina Mountains. |
| Directions: |
From I-10 take the Ina (pronounced eye-na)
Road exit #248 near Tucson. Turn east onto Ina Road and follow it as it
becomes Skyline Drive and then Sunrise Drive. After 14.5 miles, when you
reach the end of Sunrise Drive and a stop sign, turn left. The Sabino Canyon
Visitors Center and parking lot are immediately on your right. There is a $5
per car entry fee ($20 for an annual pass). |
| Road Conditions: |
Passenger Car |
| Navigation: |
Easy |
| Length: |
Starting from the visitor center - 15.8 miles
Taking the shuttle to the Sabino Canyon Road end - 8.2 miles
Tickets for the shuttle are $7.50 per person (as of this writing). The
shuttle runs until 5pm. |
| Date Hiked: |
June 2005 |
| Weather Conditions: |
Sunny & warm |
|
Required Skills: |
None |
| Hike Description: |
If starting from the Visitors Center, simply walk up the
paved road. It's 3.8 miles to the end and there are a few interpretive signs
along the way. Once at the end of the road (3.8 miles) pick up the Sabino
Canyon Trail as it heads up a series of steps to switchback steeply up the
hillside. After 0.5 miles you'll reach a junction with the right branching
Phoneline Trail (4.2 miles), turn left (remaining on the Sabino Canyon
Trail) which leads upstream at a fairly level grade, high above Sabino
Canyon. Eventually the path drops down into Sabino Basin to the junction
with the East Fork Trail, which heads straight, and the West Fork Trail
which heads left (6.2 miles). Stay to the left and follow the cairns across
the dry wash to pick up the West Fork Trail on the other side. The path
winds it's way through grassy hills above Lemmon Creek (which will be on
your left), then eventually drops down and crosses the drainage (so that
it's now on your .. uh right). After ~45 minutes or so, look for a cairned
and fairly well worn use trail that branches right leading down to the creek
(note: if the trail begins climbing steeply and you find yourself very high
above the stream bed, then you've probably missed the turn off). Follow the
spur trail a short distance down to the stream, then walk up canyon a ways
to find some nice pools, falls and swimming holes (7.9 miles). When ready,
return the way you came. |
| Rating (1-5 stars): |
The author has been to the pools on several occasions. |
| Maps: |
Santa Catalina Mountains - Rainbow
Expeditions Inc., available in the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center ($6).
Recommended! |
| Books: |
None used |
| Photos: |
Click picture for larger
view, click your browser's 'Back' button to return to this page. |
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| Hutch's Pool. |
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