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This is a good ride in the summer after a monsoon rain


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Map Key

9.6

Miles

15.5

KM

5%

Singletrack

3,974' 1,211 m

High

3,690' 1,125 m

Low

886' 270 m

Up

891' 272 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

While this ride is almost 100% jeep roads, the water and swimming at the end make it all worth it. In a place where summer heat can get to everyone this ride is a nice break from the usual rides.

Need to Know

This is a popular place for 4 wheelers. Since bikers tend to ride earlier you most likely wont run in to any jeeps until you are on your way back.

Description

This route is almost all jeep roads. The entire road terrain is consistent. It is a mix of packed dirt, large rocks imbedded in the road and loose rock on top of the road. Some of the descents and climbs which normally wouldnt be that difficult become technical with all the different rock features. Watch your speed and be careful. The ride starts off with some steep descending and a few uphill bumps mixed in. The road goes up and down, around some bends, and if there have been some recent rains, through a few puddles.

Around the 2 mile mark there is a singletrack off to the right. Keep and eye out for it. It is across from a large watering hole. Enjoy the entire half mile while you can, because this is the only stretch of singletrack on the entire ride. The singletrack pops back out on the road. A few hundred meters later the road splits in two. From here take the right to Chiva Falls and the left to Frog Hollow. The preferred route is to do Chiva first.

Once you turn right you'll cross a dry river. If you are lucky there will be some water in it. Keep following the road. You'll come to a really steep downhill and at the bottom you'll realize that you can not ride your bike any further. Hop off the bike and follow the creek to the end and Chiva Falls. This is a nice place to take a break in the shade for a little bit. Dont linger too long because the great swimming hole at Frog Hollow awaits you.

Hop back on your bike and ride (or rather walk, as many of us have to do) back up the steep hill and back the way you came. At the fork continue to the right to head to Frog Hollow.

The road comes to a dry river again. From here you'll follow the river to the left and it will lead you to Frog Hollow. Again, you'll reach a point where you can no longer ride. Hop off your bike, take off your shoes and sock, make your way to the pools and jump in for a refreshing dip.

When you have had enough of the refreshing cool water hop on your bike and head back out the way you came in. Dont miss the singletrack on the way back! At about the 9 mile mark you'll reach what I like to call "the wall", but it isnt really that steep. It is fun to try to ride up this. The biggest challenge is getting enough momentum in the loose rock at the bottom to get up and over the first rock hump. After that it is a breeze to clear the section.

A few hundred meters after you crest "the wall" the road takes a sharp turn to the left. Instead of taking the road (which is a perfectly acceptable option) go straight here. You'll end up following a cow path that will test your uphill technical skills for the last half mile to the cars.

Contacts

Shared By:

Hillary Mathis

Trail Ratings

  3.2 from 9 votes

#2

in Tucson

#3343

Overall
  3.2 from 9 votes
5 Star
22%
4 Star
22%
3 Star
22%
2 Star
22%
1 Star
11%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Tucson

#130

in Arizona

#3,343

Overall
16 Views Last Month
7,321 Since Aug 6, 2013
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
13%
13%
75%
0%

Photos

Chiva Falls
Dec 8, 2013 near Tanque…, AZ
Frog Hollow, the water is a bit down in this picture, but with rains the following day it was flowing nicely
Aug 6, 2013 near Tanque…, AZ
The lone section of singletrack
Aug 6, 2013 near Tanque…, AZ
A deer along the way to Chiva Falls
Dec 8, 2013 near Tanque…, AZ
Looking out across the Coronado National Forest towards Chiva Falls
Dec 8, 2013 near Tanque…, AZ
Frog Hollow. Water level is slightly higher from recent monsoons, but still nothing near the established waterline.
Jul 4, 2016 near Tanque…, AZ
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