You can start at the Chase Bank on Oracle across the street from Catalina State Park, or drive in to the Park and park at the equestrian area. There is a fee to get in to the park. The trail climbs from the equestrian area to the gate at the park boundary. The trail is not very technical, but it is rocky.
Once at the gate, the trail climbs just a bit more and then smoothly descends on singletrack to the road below the Golder Ranch parking lot. You can either take the road up to the parking lot to meet your buddies, or take the singletrack straight up to the Chutes.
Wow, this trail was boring. Kinda cool at first because I was new to SAZ, but the trail itself is just not that fun, plus you have to pay $7 to park in the park, or ride a few miles of road to get to it. The trail is either constant small chunk, or the dreaded "flow." Now, I don't hate flow trails, but these are just curvy for the purpose of being curvy. If you're planning on riding to the chutes, plan for a long ride. Also, there was horse crap everywhere.
Feb 14, 2014
I almost didn't go based the comments previously posted. Glad that I did. The ride is challenging. Very rocky in places and some sandboxes. All in all a very good ride. Trail markings are sketchy. I missed a single trick turn off which accessed some very sections. I found it later on the way back. I'll do it again.
Oct 27, 2016
You gotta maintain momentum to keep this fun and fast - A nice way to add some mileage to Chutes and Cherry Tank. There was no manure of any consequence on the trail ( it dries almost instantly) we saw no horses on the trail but a few cattle in the open range section ( make sure you close the gates on your way through!) The ride back at dusk was beautiful and a ripper!
Jan 6, 2017
Left from the state park. There's a bypass that starts at a gate at park boundary. It eliminates an ugly section of 50 year trail. Bypass is bumpy for a mile or so but after it crosses an old road the single track becomes smooth and flowy all the way into Golder Ranch. Keep going and do the Chutes. Less than 19 miles back to the park. 50 year segment has been getting some work done on it.
Mar 8, 2017
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50 Year Trail Segment
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Mad River Valley, Vermont,…