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This is a popular combination of trails departing from the Golder Ranch Trailhead.


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Map Key

11.1

Miles

17.8

KM

85%

Singletrack

3,555' 1,084 m

High

3,121' 951 m

Low

1,123' 342 m

Up

1,122' 342 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

19%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

State Land, Permit Required.

Overview

The Golder Ranch Trail System has a wide variety of trails that can be ridden. They range from beginner to advanced. This route is a popular combination and is suitable for intermediate to advanced riders.

Need to Know

Open Range. Make sure to yield to any horses.

Description

Start out on the Arizona 50 Year Trail heading Northeast from the Parking lot. Stay right and you'll come to a trail marker with "The Chutes" on it. Continue right and you'll arrive at the top of a white sandy hill. This is the beginning of The Chutes, a fun flowy mostly downhill section of trails. Beginners can ride the Chutes as long as caution is exercised as there are a few spots that are quite steep and have sharp turns. There are a few different routes through the Chutes. Stay straight until you reach the 50 year trail you came in on and take a left. This will bring you back to the top of the hill.

The next section is Upper 50 to the Jem Trail. This is intermediate to advanced depending on which sections you decide to hike-a-bike. Head down but stay to the right. There will be a fork that will take you through Upper 50. The first section of this trail is quite technical and most riders will be hiking up several sections. Once you get to the top stay left to take the Jem trail down which is a semi-technical descent with some fun terrain features that can be taken if desired. Jem will drop you out about halfway through the Chutes. Follow the trail back up to the top of the hill yet again.

The final section is Middlegate Trail. Head east from the top of the hill and you'll come to a barbed wire gate. Open it and proceed through making sure to close it once you are through. The ascent up to Middlegate is has some technical sections but is mostly just climbing. Once you reach the top prepare for a fun and fairly technical descent down to the 50 Year Trail Segment. Stay left and you'll end up back at the parking lot.

Contacts

Shared By:

Evan Olson

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 34 votes

#1

in Golder Ranch

#542

Overall
  4.3 from 34 votes
5 Star
47%
4 Star
35%
3 Star
15%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Golder Ranch

#28

in Arizona

#542

Overall
180 Views Last Month
23,282 Since Jan 5, 2014
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
47%
21%
29%
3%

Photos

Exploring several of the trails in the Tucson Area.
Feb 14, 2018 near Catalina, AZ
About to go down The Chutes!
Mar 30, 2016 near Catalina, AZ
The trails at Golder Ranch are incredible, especially the Middlegate Trail seen here.
Jan 13, 2016 near Catalina, AZ
The one of many corners with "large rocks"! Nice views. Worth the effort. Almost ran over a gila monsters on down the trail.
Nov 15, 2021 near Catalina, AZ
It's easy to do a quick out-and-back loop, but 50 Yr Tr  will reward the explorer who's willing to seek out b- c- and d-lines along the way.
Dec 29, 2019 near Catalina, AZ
A lot of big Rocks to play with on these trails.
Mar 30, 2016 near Catalina, AZ
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Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 29 days ago
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