AZT: Santa Rita Singletrack

 This past October I was able to sample a small portion of the Arizona Trail Association's latest project: The Santa Rita singletrack effort. The mile or so I rode was fantastic and I couldn't wait to ride the entirety of the project when complete. Well, that time had finally come as they put the finishing touches on it this weekend.

A few of us who rode the AES: Coronado Gold event and camped out at TerraSol would be setting up a shuttle ride to cover the roughly 18 miles of AZT, including about 11 miles of new tread. How exciting!! We'd be riding southbound from the relatively new Oak Tree trailhead off SR83 down through Kentucky Camp and on to the trailhead at Apache Springs on Gardner Canyon Rd.

View from camp. If this was a sign for how the day was going to go, sign me up!!

TerraSol compound in Patagonia.

Information kiosk at the Oak Tree trailhead.

Star-studded group L->R: ReiRey, Ira, Igor, Maga, Dan & Gerad. Let's go!!

Barely one mile from the trailhead, the new tread appears. I had ridden this section in October.

Into the Santa Rita foothills we go.

It didn't take long to reach new-to-me dirt.

A classic legacy slice of AZT. Photo by Igor.

This could be on an AZT brochure. Photo by Igor.

Dan hitting some shaded contours.

The trail routes right by this large wildlife tank. Note: Please don't camp within a quarter mile of these.

Simply majestic routing through the trees.

First ride through and I've already forgotten all about the dirt roads we used to be on.

Igor leading the charge here, on a section he personally helped route and is quite proud of the return. I agree!! Well done, sir!!

Igor rode through here two days earlier, and this section didn't exist!! That's how new this is.

It rides so nice.

We were now at the point where the new tread met the old tread and would climb to the high point of the route for the day. I knew what was coming: hike-a-bike. It was a mix of on the bike and off the bike, but didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would. The others were already sitting in the shade having a snack when I arrived. Perfect spot for a calorie stop. Not bad views either.

Behold.

I got a bit of a head start on the next section, knowing the biggest part of the project was still ahead.

New switchbacks on the incoming hillside taken from the legacy AZT.

I won't miss this rubbly 2-track climb to get here riding northbound.

ReiRey & Ira making their way up the switchbacks in style.

Yeah, it's that good.

So good to get out on the trail with Ira, been way too long.

New tread, new views. Stellar.

A fun, fast downhill, brings you to swooping trail through the trees. 

The rollover gates are installed too. So nice to not have to stop so often to futz with rancher gates.

My kind of gate.

This one hit a little close to home. I encouraged those participating in last year's AZTR to donate $50 to the ATA specifically for rollover gates. We generated enough funds for this one!! Well done Class of 2025. 

It's not all downhill, but the climbs are well built as Maga & Igor take off.

That would be a bench-cut trail.

Gerad coming in hot!!

The old routing went to the far side of this mound.

If this downhill doesn't put a smile on your face, go ahead and post your bike for sale.

Don't get me wrong, I love some good rocky, technical trails, but this was a hoot.

Dan agrees.

This new section of trail was over 6 miles long to Kentucky Camp.

Gerad: Rigid fork, swept bars, singlespeed = Baller.

The downhill just kept coming.

Such a cool way to come into Kentucky Camp.

Always a nice place to take a break.

The legacy AZT through here isn't too bad either.

Onto the final bit of new trail replacing the dirt road we're crossing here.

The trail follows the side slope just below where the road is, yet you never see it.

Still soft tread as this was just completed.

Looks like a Santa Rita postcard of Mt. Wrightson.

Here I come. Photo by Igor.

The new tread ties nicely into the legacy route up ahead.

One short climb to the final descent.

It's all downhill from here!! Overlooking the Apache Springs trailhead.

Wow!! What can I say, but that was fantastic!! I have a feeling it rides really well going northbound too. I can't wait to see what's on tap next from the ATA. If you like what you see, please consider making a donation. The ultimate goal is non-stop singletrack all the way from Mexico to Utah.

Route: