October 18, 2019

Tucson area - HoneyBee Canyon, Rail X

This is a big area on the east side of the Tortolita mountains. It is on State Trust land, so technically a recreation permit is required. Access used to be from Miravista Blvd in Catalina, but this access seems to be currently discouraged and/or is changing. But if you are willing to deal with a lot of riding in sand, the Big Wash offers access from the south.

To use the Big Wash access, drive Oracle Road north to Rancho Vistoso Blvd and turn left. Watch closely as this goes across the bridge over "Big Wash", the trailhead is past this bridge on your left, but you will need to make a U-turn to get to the trailhead. A short trail leading into the wash leaves from the SE corner of the parking lot. Then 2.4 miles up the wash gets you to the Rail X trail, somewhat past where you used to have to unbutton the gate.

Using a phone app with integrated GPS is strongly recommended. There are a maze of roads and trails out in this area, and I don't think I have ever biked the same way twice. The maps on TrailForks are good, and this link has some routes that are not on trail forks.

You will note on this map, that Edwin Road gives access to the north part of the area. This is a short distance south of the Saddlebrook entrance. Edwin is the road that leads to the big quarry. And in you drive in on Edwin and keep your eyes open, you can quickly turn right onto Cochise Springs Road, which interesects routes such as "badlands" even further north.
Have any comments? Questions? Drop me a line!

Tom's mountain bike pages / tom@mmto.org