Sabino Canyon Tours — Local services in Four Corners States

Back in the day we could drive our car through Sabino Canyon on the little road. Then the park closed the road to site-seers and, in exchange, introduced the tram with open and spacious seating where you paid a human being for a round trip ticket, but you could hop on and off at each stop going up or down the road whenever you wanted. The tram driver used a microphone and a speaker to educate everyone on the canyon’s interesting history, the native animals, the native trees and plants, the rock formations, etc. The driver always had a joke or two to tell, interacted with the riders and answered their questions about the canyon as best they could. It was an educational ride through the canyon as well as fun and a “must see” when out of town guests stayed over for a few days. Now, fast forward to two weeks ago when my brother and I drove 2 hours to get to Sabino Canyon so he could experience the beautiful canyon and the fun tram ride. The price of the ticket was double what was quoted online on their website. No more human exchange of currency for tickets, as it was a machine. And, new “shuttles”... new shuttles with seating so tight that my 6 1/2 ft brother almost gave up on riding the tram as he did not have enough leg room. He sat on the outer end of the seat and turned his body sideways to sit. Getting off the tram was just as awkward for him. So, the tram hadn’t even left yet and already it was not going too well. The fancy new tram had earphone jacks and passed out disposable earphones to everyone. Great idea when the tram driver remembers to turn on the sound which she did after the 8th stop at just about the time we were going to head back down the mountain. I have no idea what interesting info we missed about the canyon on the way up. We finished the tram ride and as we were exciting I spoke with the tram driver and told her we had no sound on the up the mountain. She told me that if someone had said something to her before the 8th stop, she would have turned it on. So in essence it was our fault for not telling her. I am of the thinking that it was her job to ask us as we started up the mountain if we all could hear the commentary through the earphones. What else did she have to do but drive the tram up and down the mountain? Oh, I know - her other job was to collect everyone’s disposable earphones ... but why when the trash receptacle was right there as we excited. I was so disappointed with our experience. I will no longer be taking my guests to see the beautiful Sabino Canyon . A message for the tram business contracted to give their services in the Sabino Canyon (The Crawler). -- - - The seating is much too tight for anyone over 6 ft tall, especially when they are trying to get in and out of the tram, and being elderly. Please, reduce your prices for students and seniors. And, hire people who truly enjoy being with people and driving the tram. Make sure the driver asks if all can hear the earphone commentary On take off and not 1/2 way through the trip. Sabino is one of Tucson’s most beautiful canyons. Too bad the new tram business, The Crawler, doesn’t hold a candle to the memorable old tram. If you can, start out early while it’s still cool and walk the 3+ miles up and then back down to really experience the canyon in...

Went on the night tour last night with my wife and almost 4 year old. For starters, the tour is not guided or narrated.

Driving through the canyon at night was beautiful but at 10 miles an hour, virtually impossible to see or hear anything. to make it even more fun, engine exhaust was making my eyes water. The real fun started when we got to the top.

At the turn around (3.5 miles into the canyon) they stop and give you "15 minutes" to walk around. My wife, son and I strolled about 150 feet from the trucks. We were in a creek bed selecting a rock to take home when I looked up and saw the trucks leaving. that's not a typo, they left us. We estimated that they were there no more than 8 minutes. We also did not hear them make any announcements on the loudspeakers. I'm a reasonable person but am being completely honest when i say that we were not too far to hear a loudspeaker (attached to each truck) announcement. How about a simple head count to ensure that everyone you drove 3.5 miles into the desert is coming back with you.

You're not going to believe this next part. We got cell coverage about a half mile into the walk and my wife called the reservation office. She asked if the tram could come back and could not hear the persons response. She said, "should we keep walking?" and heard the response,"I would say so" very clearly.

So my wife and I walked 3.5 miles in flip flops (me) and crocs (her) carrying our 4 year old child at 10pm at night, in the dark, without water in Sabino Canyon. when we got to the bottom, everything was locked up and lights were off. A person actually took a call from a family stuck in the canyon with a toddler and he simply locked the door and went home.

As nice of a walk as it was (great temperature and no bad weather) I am completely beside myself at the irresponsible nature of the company that puts on the tour, the lack of compassion on the part of the staff and their apparent disregard for the safety and condition of their guests...

Until today, reading the push to get the current tram operator out of Sabino Canyon seemed mildly interesting. We walk the canyon every single weekend. I always thought The tram was a great way for people to see the majesty of the canyon who are unable to trek the 7.4 mile round trip. I always thought the "cash-only" policy was extremely suspect. The trams put out a choking amount of smog to walkers and cyclists. The trams are old looking and appear in dis-repair and the "tour guides" scream into the canyon which is very unnerving if your looking for any kind serene experience.

Unfortunately today one of our friends from out of town got heat stroke and needed to get back quickly. After being told to wait for the tram coming down by another tram driver we were then "strong armed" into handing over our personal property because they were so afraid we would bail on them. Unfortunately, the keys to a new Subaru and an i-pod were not enough . The dispatcher was the nastiest woman and had zero compassion. We were actually told "if you walked in you can walk out" . So in their minds I am supposed to send my sick friend alone on the crappy tram and I am supposed to run behind it for the next mile and a half when the temperatures rose to 96 degrees. ??

We got to meet the nasty dispatcher and she stuck by her policy stating that people hitch rides and run away. I told her there are some costs to doing business and being in-humane to the family of someone in distress is ridiculous. P.S a very nice woman on the tram ended up paying our way. (In cash of course)

This company is unprofessional and bush league. Not a representation of Tucson and our beautiful canyon. Get them out of the...