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Two hours of pain for twenty minutes of fun.


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Map Key

18.7

Miles

30.1

KM

Doubletrack

5,064' 1,544 m

High

3,142' 958 m

Low

3,793' 1,156 m

Up

2,361' 720 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (4°)

24%

Max Grade (14°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Description

This isn't so much a trail as it is a jeep road, but it makes for some serious climbing practice. It is easy to follow as it is a 4x4/ATV road. Don't let the name "road" fool you. It is filled with tough sections of loose climbing, riding over river rock and even a bit of hike-a-bike if you are unlucky enough to spin out on some sections.

A few spots of slick rock are a welcome sight among a lot of loose dirt and rock. The downhill makes it all worth it if you like to go fast and test your technical ability all at the same time.

This ride can be done as a 12-mile out-and-back starting from the Charouleau Gap parking area on Lago del Oro and riding up to the Gap (or further if you wish, but the gap is a good turn around point). You can also use the Charouleau Gap Rd downhill as a finish to a ride starting at Golder Ranch, coming up through 50 year, and across on Cherry Tank to Charouleau.

If parked at Golder Ranch, you'll have to take Lago del Oro Parkway south down to Golder Ranch Rd and climb east up to the car.

This is an open active off road vehicle road. Watch out for jeeps and ATV's when flying down the road.

Contacts

Shared By:

Hillary Mathis

Trail Ratings

  3.3 from 6 votes

#9

in Golder Ranch

#22428

Overall
  3.3 from 6 votes
5 Star
0%
4 Star
67%
3 Star
17%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
17%
Trail Rankings

#9

in Golder Ranch

#668

in Arizona

#22,428

Overall
25 Views Last Month
3,503 Since May 28, 2014
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
0%
0%
83%
17%

Photos

Three quarters of the way up the Gap road. Samaniego Ridge as a backdrop.
Sep 30, 2015 near Catalina, AZ
Look way back at the top where the day started.
May 8, 2013 near Oracle, AZ
The cattle guard at the top of the "Gap".
Sep 1, 2015 near Catalina, AZ
California poppies popping on Charouleau Gap Road
Dec 13, 2019 near Catalina, AZ
The Gap in September
Oct 2, 2015 near Catalina, AZ
At the "Gap"
Sep 30, 2015 near Catalina, AZ
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jan 12, 2019
Shelby Höglund
started in Saddlebrooke, went to Oracle. very epic views, long day. 18.7mi — 3h 00m
Dec 2, 2018
Stone N
This is amongst the best Jeep roads I have ever ridden, rideable all the way, but also challenging. And if you are more of a dh rider, you can pro…
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