Blackett's Ridge Trail Tucson: The Hard Version of Sabino Canyon

Most people who hike Sabino Canyon know Phoneline Trail. It’s the long ridge traverse that gets all the attention, 9.4 miles round trip, moderate grade, excellent views. Blackett’s Ridge is 3 miles shorter and 500 feet steeper. It climbs the east wall of the canyon instead of the south wall, and the views from the top look down into the canyon in a way Phoneline doesn’t. If you’ve done Phoneline and want more, this is the natural next step.

The two trails start from the same parking lot. Blackett’s Ridge branches off at mile 0.4. After that, it doesn’t let up.

Trail Overview

Blackett’s Ridge is a 4.6-mile round trip climbing from the Sabino Canyon floor at 2,800 feet to the ridge crest at 4,400 feet. That’s 1,600 feet of gain in 2.3 miles, an average grade of about 14 percent. For comparison, the Appalachian Trail averages 8 to 10 percent on its steeper sections.

The trail is rocky desert scrub the whole way up. Palo verde, saguaro, brittlebush, and cholla fill the lower slopes. The vegetation thins out near the top and the trail becomes more of a rock scramble through boulders. There are no technical sections, but footing matters.

The ridge crest offers multiple viewpoints. The best one looks southwest across the Tucson basin. You can see the Phoneline Trail running along the south canyon wall below you. Looking east, the upper Santa Catalinas rise above your position toward Mount Lemmon and the Wilderness of Rocks.

This trail is strenuous by most definitions. “Strenuous” on trail rating systems usually means 1,500-plus feet of gain, mostly sustained, with difficult footing. Blackett’s Ridge meets all three criteria.

Getting There

The trailhead is at the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center, 5700 N Sabino Canyon Road, Tucson, AZ 85750. From central Tucson, take Speedway Boulevard east to Wilmot Road, north on Wilmot (which becomes Kolb Road), then right on Sabino Canyon Road. The drive takes 25 minutes from the University of Arizona.

Parking costs $7 per vehicle. America the Beautiful passes cover the fee. The lot fills by 8am on winter weekends. Arrive by 7am if you want a spot near the trailhead. Overflow parking on Sabino Canyon Road is available but adds 15 minutes of walking each direction.

There’s no dedicated trailhead for Blackett’s Ridge. You start at the main visitor center parking lot, walk east on the main canyon access road, cross Sabino Creek, and watch for the Bear Canyon Trail junction at mile 0.4. A signed junction here points left (north) for Blackett’s Ridge. Miss it and you’re on the Bear Canyon Trail heading toward Seven Falls.

Download an offline map before you go. Cell service on the upper ridge is limited.

Trail Description

Mile 0 to 0.4: Canyon Floor

The first 0.4 miles are flat and easy, following the main Sabino Canyon access road east from the parking lot. You cross Sabino Creek, which flows seasonally. In good water years from December through April, you’ll step across on rocks. In dry years or in summer, it may be bone dry.

At 0.4 miles, the signed Bear Canyon Trail junction appears. Turn left (north) for Blackett’s Ridge. Right goes to Seven Falls. The sign is usually obvious.

Mile 0.4 to 1.0: Opening Climb

The elevation gain starts immediately after the junction. The trail heads north and begins climbing the canyon wall through rocky desert scrub. The footing here is loose in spots, decomposed granite over bedrock. Use your whole foot on uphill steps rather than just your toes. Trekking poles help here and on the descent.

There’s minimal shade from this point on. In October through February, morning sun is gentle enough that it doesn’t matter much. In March through May, this section heats up fast after 9am.

By mile 1.0, you’re about 600 feet above the canyon floor. The views into Sabino Canyon have opened up. You can see the main tram road below, the creek crossings, and the south canyon wall where Phoneline Trail runs.

Mile 1.0 to 1.8: Upper Desert Scrub

This is the sustained middle section, and the hardest part for most people. The grade stays steep. The saguaros thin out as you gain elevation, replaced by more scrub oak and agave. Boulders start appearing more frequently and the trail weaves between them.

At roughly mile 1.3, there’s a small false summit that tricks people every time. The view opens up, you feel like you’re close, and then the trail turns and you see another 500 feet of climb ahead. This is normal. Keep moving.

The trail becomes more of a rocky scramble above mile 1.5. Not technical, but both hands come into play on steeper boulder sections. Wear shoes with real rubber soles. The rock is dry granite most of the year, which grips well, but wet granite is a different situation entirely.

Mile 1.8 to 2.3: Ridge Crest

The grade eases slightly in the last half mile as the trail gains the actual ridge. The vegetation thins to almost nothing. You’re on an open rocky spine with exposure on both sides.

The ridge crest at mile 2.3 sits at 4,400 feet. Multiple viewpoints within a few hundred yards of each other. The best views of the Tucson basin are from the westernmost point on the ridge. Looking directly down, Sabino Canyon’s canyon floor is 1,600 feet below. The scale of the canyon is much easier to understand from here than from the canyon floor.

The Phoneline Trail is clearly visible on the south canyon wall. If you’ve hiked Phoneline, you’ll recognize the traversing route and the ridge it follows. From up here, Phoneline looks like a much gentler option, which it is.

Turn around here for the 4.6-mile round trip. There’s no useful trail continuation from the ridge crest for a day hike.

What to Bring

Water is the primary concern. Carry 2.5 liters minimum for this hike. There are no water sources anywhere on the trail. On warmer days (above 65 degrees), bring 3 liters. If you’re hiking with a dog, add their water on top of yours.

Trail shoes with real traction. The granite boulder section above mile 1.5 requires actual grip. Flat-soled sneakers work on the lower section but become a liability on the upper scramble. Our desert hiking boot guide covers the difference between shoes that are fine for the Cactus Forest Loop and shoes that work for rocky ridge climbs like this one.

A sun hoody with UPF 50 is more practical than sunscreen on a 3 to 4 hour exposed hike. You won’t want to stop to reapply sunscreen on the upper trail. A hoody covers your arms and neck the whole time.

A hydration pack beats a water bottle when you need your hands free for the boulder sections. A small daypack with a reservoir keeps both hands available for scrambling without breaking your stride to grab a bottle.

Trekking poles are worth bringing. The descent is steep and the loose granite on the lower trail is easier with pole support. Collapsible poles that fit in a daypack are the practical option.

Safety Notes

Call 911 for any hiking emergency in Sabino Canyon. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department handles rescues in this area and is experienced with Sabino Canyon terrain. Cell signal is limited on the upper ridge. If possible, text rather than call, texts sometimes transmit when voice calls don’t.

Heat is the main risk. This trail is fully exposed above mile 0.5. In March through May, start no later than 6:30am. In June through September, don’t do this hike unless you’re an experienced desert hiker starting before 5:30am with 3 liters of water. The canyon floor temperature and the ridge temperature can differ by 10 degrees, but direct sun exposure on the ridge is relentless.

Know the early warning signs of heat exhaustion: stopping sweating while still exerting, confusion, and stopping feeling thirsty. Our heat management guide covers the full progression and when each symptom means turn around.

The descent is where ankle injuries happen. The loose granite on the lower trail is slippery going down, especially after long climbs when your legs are tired. Slow down on the descent more than you think you need to. Take short steps.

Flash flood risk on this specific trail is low because you’re climbing above the canyon, not through it. The 0.4-mile section on the canyon access road before the junction is the only flood exposure, and it’s easy to exit quickly. This is different from the Bear Canyon trails where canyon walls trap hikers, so the flood risk context from Sabino Canyon’s general safety rules doesn’t fully apply here.

Related Trails

If you’re building up to Blackett’s Ridge, the Sabino Canyon Phoneline Trail is the right stepping stone. Complete it twice before attempting Blackett’s Ridge, once to see how your body handles a long exposed ridge hike, once to push your pace. The skills transfer directly.

Saguaro National Park’s Tanque Verde Ridge is the logical progression after Blackett’s Ridge. Tanque Verde Ridge is longer, the elevation gain is higher, and it takes you into a completely different vegetation zone above the desert. Plan for a full day.

The best hikes in Tucson for beginners covers where to start before working up to the ridge trails. The Cactus Forest Loop and the Valley View Overlook are good baselines for fitness before adding 1,600-foot climbs.