MIDDLE BEAR CANYON

Bear Canyon is one of the deepest and longest rifts cut into the Santa Catalina range. Within its far-reaching canyon walls, all seven of the life zones that grace the mountain can be found. The Middle Bear Picnic Area is located in the canyon's upper reaches where the gorge it has cut into the mountain's slopes provides a route for a short stretch of the Catalina Highway. Sites here are shaded by ponderosa pines which grow in the protected confines of the canyon. Views from Bear Canyon include an area of the Santa Catalina Mountains where the slopes are covered with a jumble of boulders weathered into an unlikely collection of balanced rocks, pinnacles, arches and towers. This natural sculpture gallery is visible through the trees that shade the picnic area. While you're enjoying your lunch you might want to take advantage of this opportunity to see how good you are at picking out identifiable images among the rock sculptures scattered across the side of the mountain.