I had the pleasure, on Friday of  this past week, of hiking the eight mile round trip, between Sabino Canyon Visitor Center and Seven Falls, in the Santa Catalina Range, northeast of Tucson.  Bear Canyon Trail provides a generally easy path, for the first 2.5 miles,then  7 crossings of Bear Canyon Creek, which are quite straightforward, and have MOSTLY stable steppingstones.  A walking stick, or two, are advisable for the stream crossings, though.  Here are some views of the first 2.5 miles, including a heart-shaped rock.

 

Bridge crossing Sabino Creek.

 

The trail to Bear Canyon diverges from Phone Line Trail here.

 

 

Note the striations on the rocks, which result from centuries of hard water activity.

 

 

Here are several shots of Bear Canyon Creek.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are some interesting rock overhangs, and the long view to the canyon rim, along the way.

 

 

 

Next, Upper Bear Canyon