Great desert ride if you can get there when it is not windy. Higher than Tucson so sometimes it is cooler than town. Come prepared with a wind breaker in the winter months. We did the whole loop in about 3 hours. Go counter-clockwise for sure--you will have the benefit of some downhill that way. And be sure to take the cut-off near the camp area to avoid the 7 b***es--they are no fun. For times, you will sense that you are headed in the wrong direction or toward Catalina, but keep the faith and the trail will take you back to the start near the Willow Springs arch. Nothing really technical on this ride--a smooth, cruising trail that stays on a steady gradient. Be sure to catch the two doggie graves on the pass.

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Counter-clockwise. There is only one trail--follow it. Some signs, some not.

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Nirvana, 50-Year

I Pre-rode the trail a couple weeks before the 24 hr event. Had no problems with anyone on the trail. Course is pretty fast. The seven bitc--s were not a problem (7 consecutive downhills and climbs along jeep trail.) Be careful though, they are easy to bomb down and there are a couple dangerous spots you figure out after you ride it once or twice. The single track is a desert loaded with cactus, very cooland lots of winding to keep you on your toes. It is mostly cholla (also known as jumping cactus for its ability to seemingly twitch and grab you deeper and deeper!!!fun). extra tubes or tubeless here folks. Mostly hardpack with a few sandy spots. One really fun single track downhill where I bit it at night on my 3rd lap while wiping my running nose. I hit some sand while one handing it. ha. I really enjoyed this course and am planning to do the event again next year.

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see the website for best directions.

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only time ive ridden near tucson

A great place to ride once you figure out the trails. ckeck out epicrides.com for a genaral map. ride it every which way you can there is no designated direction unless you happen to be doing the 24 hour race held in february, then and only then is it one way. be fore- warned that in the couple of months leading up to tucsons "premier" off road event there are way too many A**holes riding who seem to think that their ride is more important than every one elses. F***um. the rest of the year no one seems to care about this place, shame... goody for those of us who ride simply for the joy of it.

There are now 2 trails running off the northern edge fo this trail and a third is being built. The 'Black and Tan' trail starts at the northeast corner of the 24 Hr. Trail. It runs up and around Black Mountain and is quite technical, marked with cairns.
The Suffering Gulch Trail starts about 150 yards before the Black and Tan and is marked with cairns with a piece of white quartz on the top of each cairn. It's maybe a 8 mile trail. Not as technical as the other trail it's smooth and flowing thru arroyos and climbs up several small hills for mumerous great views of the area. The trail name does NOT indicate the ride as it's very flowing with little difficult climbing. It's one of the very best in Southern Arizona and unknown to almost everyone. Few locals know of these hidden gems.

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Take the 24 Hour Race Course to it's northeastern corner 3-4 miles from the arch and less that 2 miles from the race course campground. The Black and Tan starts here. About 150 yards before the corner to the south the Suffering Gulch Trail begins. Ratings are for Suffering Gulch. Black and Tan is harder. The end of Suffering Gulch Trail takes you back to the Race Course near the trail's beginning

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50 Year Trail, AZ Trail around Oracle, Cody Trail, Bobby's Trails, Dove Mountain

I've been riding this twice per month in preparation for the big 24-race coming up in 10 days! Some of the fastest stuff around. One or two small rocky areas and a fun, slickrock descent but other than that... this is mostly fast, winding singletrack surrounded by cactus with some dirt road thrown in.

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It's one-way. Start at the trailhead in the parking area just beyond and to the left of the Willow Springs Ranch arch. It is in the middle of NOWHERE so come prepared.

Just rode this yesterday as a pre ride b4 the race on Valentines day. It rocks! The cactus is even bigger than I remembered from last year. Course is dry and a little sandy in some spots. Nothing technical at all. New singletrack made the climb at the end more fun.Forests of cactus with singletrack thru it. Gentle climbs and 7 hills to climb near the start. Lots of fun.

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Race goes counterclockwise.Checkout the maps at epicrides.com

This trail is very fast and smooth. It is definately designed more for speed than for technical difficulty. The only technical parts of this trail require dodging cacti that are just inches from your feet as you pass by. Life could be interesting on a night ride through these parts during a 24 hour race...Definately bring tweezers!!! Trail finding is a little difficult and there are no signs or aids to help you. Keep an eye on the ground for other bikers trails, and use the three good landmarks you have for reference, the power line, the mountain you ride around and the microwave tower in the desert. I had a map with me from www.epicrides.com, and another from www.sambabike.org and needed to refer to them at every junction. On the whole, this is a very fun ride in the desert with beautiful desert plants and wildlife to see and experience. I highly recommend it and now plan to get on a team for the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo!!!

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The maps say to ride counter-clockwise. This worked for me, but I think it is ridable in the opposite direction as well. Maybe someday I will try it out and put another post up here.

This trail is very fast and smooth. It is definately designed more for speed than for technical difficulty. The only technical parts of this trail require dodging cacti that are just inches from your feet as you pass by. Life could be interesting on a night ride through these parts during a 24 hour race...Definately bring tweezers!!! Trail finding is a little difficult and there are no signs or aids to help you. Keep an eye on the ground for other bikers trails, and use the three good landmarks you have for reference, the power line, the mountain you ride around and the microwave tower in the desert. I had a map with me from www.epicrides.com, and another from www.sambabike.org and needed to refer to them at every junction. On the whole, this is a very fun ride in the desert with beautiful desert plants and wildlife to see and experience. I highly recommend it and now plan to get on a team for the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo!!!

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The maps say to ride counter-clockwise. This worked for me, but I think it is ridable in the opposite direction as well. Maybe someday I will try it out and put another post up here.

Trail...rocks. Raceing on it is that much better. Highly organized event with tons of fun to be had by all. The HOT TUBS are icing on the cake, who else gives the riders 5 hot tubs located throughout base camp to relax in after their ride?

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goto website they will show you the way...

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50 year trail and Triangly Y camp/Arizona trial.

i have lived in the tucson area all my life and have rode or hiked most every trail around. this has got to be one of the most fun trails around. it has everything including twisty single track, technical jeep trail, flat out fast jeep trail, and the most delicious hills around. all this and the the best organized race on top of it. see you at the race.