Most of this part of the Box Camp Trail is steep and rocky, and passes through forest of small oaks and junipers.

After the signed intersection with the Box Spring Trail the trail curves along the slope to the left and then begins descending down the ridgeline. Around here you suddenly leave the ponderosa forest behind and start hiking through forest of mixed small oaks, junipers, and pines.

As the trail descends the ridgeline through thin forest you have views of Cathedral Rock to the northwest, Tucson down to the west, and Thimble Peak to the south. Manzanita starts showing up around here, as well as alligator junipers and some yucca. About 25 minutes after the trail junction you get to an open spot on the top of the ridge where there are unobstructed views in all directions. To the north you can see the large rock formations that tower over the Wilderness of Rocks. To the northeast is Cathedral Rock. Down below is Sabino Basin, where you will be soon.

After the open spot the trail gets very steep and rocky as it rapidly descends down the ridgeline. As of 1997 the trail had been recently trimmed back, so although it is steep and rocky you at least do not have to fight the underbrush.

As you near Apache Spring you see a rock wall ahead, made up of numerous large boulders. The trail then crosses a small dry streambed, which is Apache Spring. There was no water in this spring in late May, so don't count on getting water here.

This part of the Box Camp Trail is steep and rocky, and traverses from saguaros up to juniper/oak forest.

After you pass Apache Spring the trail winds through a scenic area of small to medium rock formations as it descends the ridgeline. The trail then drops down the north slope of the ridge part way down into Box Camp Canyon, and then gently contours along the canyon wall. The canyon is narrow and steep here, and you can see down to the bottom far below.

After contouring along the wall of Box Camp Canyon for a while, the trail curves left onto the ridge top again in an area of rock formations. Here the vegetation is shifting towards grasslands, with grass, amole (shindaggers), and occasional small oaks and junipers. As you descend farther down the ridge barrel cactus, cholla, and ocotillo start to show up.

About 50 minutes after Apache Spring the trail curves to the left off the ridgeline, and you enter an area of some low hills. The trail crosses through this pretty area, descending gently, and then turns to the right and begins the final descent down to Sabino Basin, which is the wooded area directly below. At this point saguaros appear.

The trail drops to the oak forest at the bottom of Sabino Basin. This is a great place to stop and rest in the shade. The trail passes through the forest, and crosses a dry streambed with lots of large boulders. Shortly after crossing the streambed you reach the signed intersection with the East Fork Trail #24A. Turning left, or east, here takes you toward the Palisade Trail and Bear Canyon. Turning right takes you toward Sabino Canyon and the West Fork Trail.

Turn right on the East Fork Trail and go a few hundred yards to the signed intersection of the East Fork Trail #24A, the West Fork Trail #24, and the Sabino Canyon Trail #23. The trail to the left, or southwest, is the Sabino Canyon Trail and will take you down to the end of the road in Sabino Canyon. The trail to the right, or northwest is the West Fork Trail which heads up towards Hutch's Pool and points beyond.

Turn left on the Sabino Canyon Trail.

This easy and almost level trail segment runs up high along the south wall of Sabino Canyon, connecting the Phoneline Trail to the East Fork and West Fork trails.

From the junction with the East Fork and West Fork Trails the trail climbs up the slope, while heading downcanyon, for about 5 or 10 minutes. It then levels out and begins a long gently descending contour about halfway up the southern wall of Sabino Canyon.

At this point Sabino Canyon is steep and deep, and you can see the wooded stream down below you. The canyon then gets less steep and you can no longer see down to the stream. The view downcanyon is spectacular, with sheer rock faces on the opposite side, and a large rock promontory next to a narrow gap about a mile ahead.

About 45 minutes after leaving the trail junction the trail passes through a small saddle to the left of the large rock promontory which sits in the middle of the canyon. I believe this promontory is where there had been plans to build a dam many years ago.

After you pass through the saddle the canyon is very narrow and deep, and there are amazing views down to the bottom from the trail. The trail then curves to the left and drops down to the signed junction with the Phoneline Trail #27. Turn left to go on the Phoneline trail back to the Sabino Canyon Visitor's Center. Turn right to continue on the Sabino Canyon Trail down to the end of the paved road in Sabino Canyon.

This short trail segment goes from the end of the road in Sabino Canyon up to the junction with the Phoneline Trail.

This half mile segment is one of the most frustrating in the Tucson area, since is takes a half mile of almost level switchbacks to cover about 300 feet in elevation change and about 200 yards in horizontal distance. You will feel like you are walking on a treadmill and never getting anywhere.

If you see the tram pull up while you are descending this part don't even bother to rush to get to it unless you have already gone about 10 minutes down. The tram will come and go well before you get down.

This is the upper part of the road through Sabino Canyon.

From the tram stop just follow the road downhill. After passing over a number of bridges you will come to a sign for the Phoneline Link Trail on the left just after you pass a restroom and about 50 yards before the road crosses a small bridge and curves to the left.

This all pavement route is the first section of the road up Sabino Canyon

There is a restroom on the left, and about 15 yards beyond the restroom there is a sign on the left for the Phoneline Link Trail, #27A. This sign says that it is 0.7 miles to the Phoneline Trail, #27.

A short distance beyond the Phoneline Link Trail the road crosses a bridge, and there is a sign on the near side of the bridge on the right for the Rattlesnake Trail, #50. The road curves left at this point and begins gently climbing as it passes the 1 mile marker on the left. The road then curves to the right and climbs up a short but relatively steep stretch to a small saddle. After you pass through the saddle the road descends gently straight down to the Sabino Canyon Visitors Center, passing the sign for the Esperero Trail on the right about 50 yards before the drive leading off to the Cactus Picnic Area.