Tour de Batamote

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

This is mapped counter-clockwise, but could be just as fun (or maybe more fun?) riding this loop clockwise.

Fatter tires or suspension will make Batamote Basin mo' fun and comfy, but almost all of this loop could be ridden on a gravel bike by an expert rider - sans some of the wider, deeper wash crossings. I did have cell reception during most of this route when ridden in late March 2021 (Verizon), as a safety consideration. It is far enough from town you'll want to take extra precautions from flats or other mechanical issues, and take plenty of water (as always in the Sonoran Desert)!

Start at Bud Walker Park in Ajo and head north on Olive Branch to Tailings East, and continue east on Dangal (BLM 8106A) and Saikil (BLM 8106A) to Batamote Basin.

Follow Batamote Basin to Batamote View out-and-back if desired, or skip that extra bit to catch the turn on Fattire Mike near Teddy Bear Hill (the hill with tons of Teddy Bear Cholla cacti). Catch the western side of Noah's Cutoff to Desert Railroader (BLM 8106), then back to town on Desert Luge (BLM 8110A).

The easier trails across the valley make for a great warm-up / cool-down at the beginning and end of the ride, while the middle section includes more varied terrain including large sasquatch-sized babyheads on parts of the Batamote Basin and nearby trails.

Not a lot of elevation gain and most of the hills are associated with wash crossings and tend to be quite short and occasionally steep. Some of those include deep, loose sand and/or gravel, but most wash crossings on this loop are narrow.

There is all kinds of history around this area that I wish I knew more about! Check out the Ajo Historical Museum for more about the area.