Esperero Trail in Sabino Canyon

The Sabino Canyon parking lot holds over 150 cars but after driving around with a couple dozen other cars looking fruitlessly for a spot, I drove back to the condo, saddled up and began the 3/4 mile walk to the Canyon.  The place was packed with people but once off the main paved road that heads 4 miles into the canyon with multiple stream crossings, I was alone as I headed up through Rattlesnake Canyon on the Esperero Trail.

Soon, I rose high enough that yielded sweeping views of other mountain ranges not too distant.

The wildflowers are out in earnest, helped by the rain of two weeks ago.

The trail became steeper and passed the wall with a neat cave at the bottom.  There are at least a couple of mountain lions around this canyon so maybe that is a sleeping spot?  The trail went left and above this feature.

Always welcome, after 2500' of climbing, the saddle approaches, granting relief from a tiring climb.

The relief was temporary as the trail reached the saddle, made a right and continued up but not as steep.  I passed an area called "Geronimo Meadow", dipped into Esperero Canyon and continued on to Bridal Veil falls which was a trickle of water.  Returned back with 14 miles and around 4000' of climbing.  Well, back to the bike and a successful climb of Mount Lemmon.