Santa Catalina foothills
Phoneline Trail hike
Phoneline #27 along the east side of Sabino Canyon. The usual start is the visitor center, then Bear Canyon Trail.
Lower heat exposure before 10am, skip from 1pm (97F forecast at 3pm, USFS says it can feel quite hot in summer). Sunset about 6:01pm. Forecast updated 4:07am.
Check conditions before you go.
Today
Today, hour by hour. Sunset is about 6:01pm, and later hours aren't rated.
Tomorrow morning
Tomorrow from 5am to noon, if the forecast goes that far.
Photos
NWS alerts
No weather alerts for this trail as of the last update.
NWS HeatRisk, experimental
Level 1 (Minor) for 2026-10-07. HeatRisk is an experimental NWS product. For official heat warnings, go by NWS watches, warnings, and advisories.
Sabino Creek near Tucson (USGS 09484000)
Discharge 0.92 ft^3/s at 8:15am MST (Provisional).
Gage height 1.07 ft at 8:15am MST.
This creek gauge sits at the mouth of Sabino Canyon. USGS page.
These readings can't tell you whether it's OK to cross the creek.
Trail facts
Trailhead location
Sabino Canyon Visitor Center (access point). 32.31010, -110.82222. The forecast pin is the visitor center. USFS says the most common access is 0.8 miles on Bear Canyon Trail from there, or about 1.3 miles along the shuttle route toward Bear Canyon. Source: USFS Phoneline #27 page and visitor center coordinates.
Elevation
2,732 ft. From USGS elevation data for the map pin.
Forecast area elevation
2,684 ft for the NWS forecast area near Catalina Foothills, AZ. The NWS forecasts for squares about 2.5 km (1.5 miles) across, so it can be hotter or cooler on the trail itself. Forecast updated 4:07am MST.
Distance and climb
USFS: the trail climbs 1000 feet in 4 miles. Best hiked September through March. It can feel quite hot in the summer months. Source: USFS Phoneline #27.
Listed elevation
The Phoneline page lists elevation 3,700 feet. It does not say whether that is the start, a high point, or a typical point. The USGS elevation on this page is for the visitor center pin, which is lower. We haven't confirmed the 3,700 foot figure. Source: USFS Phoneline #27.
Water
USFS: potable water is not available at this site. Source: USFS Phoneline #27.
Sun and shade
USFS describes rocky slopes, steep drop-offs to the creek, and cliffs rising over 1,000 feet. We haven't confirmed hour-by-hour shade. The page says the trail can feel quite hot in summer. Source: USFS Phoneline #27.
Dogs and bikes
Dogs are prohibited in the recreation area. Bikes are not permitted on dirt trails, including Phoneline. Source: USFS Phoneline #27.
Official links
Nearby trails
- Sabino Canyon (same trailhead)
- Seven Falls (Bear Canyon Trail) (0.1 miles away)
- Ventana Canyon (2.2 miles away)
See also the heat guide, the monsoon guide, and today's conditions on every trail.