Story:
I started out to try and find the trail into the Wild Burro Tanks, but instead ended up on what I now know is called Cochise Springs Road--a high clearance 4 X 4 road that takes you into the northern part of the Tortolita Mountains. It is difficult to describe how to get there since there are no signs and lots of road going every which way because ATVs use the area a lot (it is State Trust Land).
From the town of Catalina, you turn west across from Eagle Crest Estates and just north of the little garden shop. A not-so-obvious sign says Rail X Ranch and that it is state trust land. Head on this gravel road west about 2 miles until you see a major set of power lines crossing the road and tending north and south. Head north under the powerlines, go across a cattle guard, go north past the corrals, and stay on the main road that goes under the power lines. Travel for about another mile or so. Just before the road heads down a somewhat steep little hill, there is a road that veers to the east--take this road. Follow again what appears to be the primarily-traveled road. Again, there are lots of side roads and at this time I have no idea where any of them go. Some go to campsites. You continue on heading mostly west as the road crosses washes, tops out and then descends again. If you spook a large female red-tailed hawk from her nest in a mesquite tree along the road, you are on the right road. Continue as the road goes up a small pass. At the top is the warning sign about vandalism to water systems or wildlife. Head on down from the pass for another 1/4 or so. There is a Y intersection here. This is where I parked and started my ride--just as well because the quality of the road really deteriorates from here on. About a mile from the start point on my map is a large spring--I am guessing Cochise Spring--with a water storage tank and trough.
I started out to try and find the trail into the Wild Burro Tanks, but instead ended up on what I now know is called Cochise Springs Road--a high clearance 4 X 4 road that takes you into the northern part of the Tortolita Mountains. It is difficult to describe how to get there since there are no signs and lots of road going every which way because ATVs use the area a lot (it is State Trust Land).
From the town of Catalina, you turn west across from Eagle Crest Estates and just north of the little garden shop. A not-so-obvious sign says Rail X Ranch and that it is state trust land. Head on this gravel road west about 2 miles until you see a major set of power lines crossing the road and tending north and south. Head north under the powerlines, go across a cattle guard, go north past the corrals, and stay on the main road that goes under the power lines. Travel for about another mile or so. Just before the road heads down a somewhat steep little hill, there is a road that veers to the east--take this road. Follow again what appears to be the primarily-traveled road. Again, there are lots of side roads and at this time I have no idea where any of them go. Some go to campsites. You continue on heading mostly west as the road crosses washes, tops out and then descends again. If you spook a large female red-tailed hawk from her nest in a mesquite tree along the road, you are on the right road. Continue as the road goes up a small pass. At the top is the warning sign about vandalism to water systems or wildlife. Head on down from the pass for another 1/4 or so. There is a Y intersection here. This is where I parked and started my ride--just as well because the quality of the road really deteriorates from here on. About a mile from the start point on my map is a large spring--I am guessing Cochise Spring--with a water storage tank and trough.
Tips:
A good sense of adventure and direction, water, food, sunscreen. No one else was to be seen all morning. Great views of Picacho Peak when you top out. The road continues past the corral that I mapped, and it might head down to Carpenter Ranch Road--and then again it might not. Another day.
A good sense of adventure and direction, water, food, sunscreen. No one else was to be seen all morning. Great views of Picacho Peak when you top out. The road continues past the corral that I mapped, and it might head down to Carpenter Ranch Road--and then again it might not. Another day.
Tags:
Tortolitas, tucson, Cochise Springs, Catalina, Tortolita Mountain Park
Tortolitas, tucson, Cochise Springs, Catalina, Tortolita Mountain Park
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