Arizona Trail - Out and Back to the Gate

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Not Allowed

A great out and back with good views of the surrounding area. Super flowing singletrack and mostly easy riding.

This featured trail is on a section of the Arizona Trail that has interesting scenery and that can be ridden by those with moderate mountain biking skills. It begins at the intersection of Sahuarita Road and AZ State Highway 83. Nine and one-half miles out to a gate which separates AZ State Trust Land and Coronado National Forest Property.

The first mile is level with mostly a hard base - some sandy stuff - excellent location for those who just purchased a mountain bike. Then some mild ups and downs with a few rocks - then more level hard based singletrack.

At the four mile mark begins a fairly long and challenging climb. When you start to go left you have made it. Rest up with the following gradual descent. At a little less than six miles you'll be able to view the lakes - a man made structure of many years ago for cattle watering. Stop and enjoy the view. In another half mile there is a rocky road crossing - take a left and go down to the end for a close-up view of the lakes.

Continue on for another 0.2 miles and cross the next road and enjoy a mile and a half of gradually uphill swooping singletrack. Cross the next road for more hard based trail and eventually get into some rocky stuff. One more climb and you'll be at the gate that then enters Forest Service property. You may continue on or turn around and go back. Going back on this trail is a blast - you lose 800 feet of elevation and except for a climb after passing the lakes, it is mostly downhill.