Name: Explorer Trail
Rating: 3.9

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Description

A difficult trail, but worth every hard breath. Ride east to west for a lung busting climb, or west to east for some technical descent.

This trail connects Starr Pass Trail to Robles or loops back to 36th Street Trail.

Contacts

Local Club: Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists

Jul 29, 2026: Mt Graham Article about SDMB Volunteers

Jul 17, 2026: IMBA Article about Tucson Trails

Feb 25, 2026: Raffle WInner

Land Manager: Pima County - Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation

Shared By:

Jeff Christiansen

Full Details

Trail Ratings

3.9 from 28 votes

#1

in Tucson Mountain Park

#1225

Overall

3.9 from 28 votes

5 Star		29%
4 Star		50%
3 Star		11%
2 Star		7%
1 Star		4%

Trail Rankings

#1

in Tucson Mountain Park

#59

in Arizona

#1,225

Overall

27 Views Last Month

3,094 Since Oct 9, 2014

		0%
		0%
		4%
		4%
		88%
		4%

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Photos

Dec 23, 2017 near Tucson…, AZ

Take a right at this beatifully landscaped intersection to stay on the Explorer Trail, go left to challenge yourself on the Cat Mountain Trail, which is probably the most technically challenging climb/descent combo in the Tucsons. Photo is looking north.

Sep 11, 2014 near Tucson…, AZ

Dec 20, 2014 near Tucson…, AZ

Taking a break just about at the halfway point. I went east to west first, then did the return east.

Dec 30, 2020 near Tucson…, AZ

This is a view of the intersection and surrounding terrain when looking up the Explorer Trail.

Jan 13, 2017 near Tucson…, AZ

Feb 20, 2014 near Tucson…, AZ

5 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 27 days ago

Update Conditions See History

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Check-Ins

Mar 31, 2023

Mountain Park

3mi — 0h 20m

Dec 24, 2022

Mountain Park

1mi — 0h 30m

Jun 7, 2022

Scott Endler

This is a trail for an expert trials rider with literally dozens of rock step obstacles of 12-18 inch square blocks. Park somewhere else. Don't bother

Jan 21, 2022

❤️

Jan 1, 2021

Dan 60D5H411

With O, West to East. Amazing until riding under powerlines

May 11, 2019

Jared Cuteri

Apr 16, 2019

Damon Roth

Pretty Technical.

Feb 27, 2019

Bikeheidi Bikeheidi

Jan 3, 2019

Ben Calvert

Dec 23, 2017

Amy White

Sep 4, 2015

Kilgore Trout

Aug 9, 2015

Ricky Dotson

Nearby Recommended Routes

Robles Loop from Genser Trailhead

19.2 mi 30.8 km • 1,001' Up 305.16 m Up • 1,001' Down 304.99 m Down

Tucson…, AZ

Starr Pass Main Loop

9.3 mi 14.9 km • 564' Up 172.02 m Up • 531' Down 161.95 m Down

Tucson…, AZ

Brown Mountain Loop

5.0 mi 8.0 km • 688' Up 209.58 m Up • 688' Down 209.82 m Down

Tucson…, AZ

Sweetwater Trail System

7.7 mi 12.4 km • 479' Up 146.09 m Up • 479' Down 145.95 m Down

Flowing…, AZ

It's all smiles at the trailhead gate on 335.

South Desert Loop

6.9 mi 11.2 km • 254' Up 77.36 m Up • 256' Down 77.92 m Down

Green V…, AZ

Chiva Falls and Frog Hollow

9.6 mi 15.5 km • 886' Up 270.14 m Up • 891' Down 271.53 m Down

Tanque…, AZ

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Explorer Trail

“A tough trail for the advanced rider. Spectacular scenery. ”

4.7

7.6

2,968' 905 m

2,497' 761 m

671' 204 m

408' 124 m

4%

19%

Toolbox

Know This Trail?

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Description

Contacts

Shared By:

Trail Ratings

#1

#1225

#1

#59

#1,225

Photos

5 Comments

Comment Type:

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Check-Ins

Nearby Recommended Routes

Robles Loop from Genser Trailhead

Starr Pass Main Loop

Brown Mountain Loop

Sweetwater Trail System

South Desert Loop

Chiva Falls and Frog Hollow

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