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50 Year Trail
25 reviews
4.36 of 5
This trail has everything...Long-lung burning climbs, short rocky climbs, stellar singletrack descents as well as a couple technical drops. The crown jewel being a section that rivals your favorite roller coaster..."the chutes". All this fun is nestled right behind the Catalina mountains, affording great views and photo opprotunities. All in all a fantastic mix speed, skill and scenery.
From Tucson: Take Oracle road (SR77) north, through Oro Valley, approximately 25 miles. Turn Right at Golder Ranch road, follow Golder Ranch road until it ends at a dirt parking lot. Cross the cattle guard toward the left and you are off!!!
Summary: Started this ride in the Honeywell carpark, then biked up the road into the park and to the trail head near the horsey area. The trail starts with a 3 mile or so gentle climb, to a beginner ish rider it would be challenging, not the steepness, but more the rocks etc to ride over around. Until the trail reached the gate, which then leaves the park so to speak, I found quite boring and not a challenge to be honest. The trail got a bit more exciting once through the gate, slowly picked up pace. The chutes area was a lot of fun. There are loads of cactus, and some of these are monsters. The terrain is rocky, sandy, hard pack, everything really..... It was very warm in June, but no humidity, so not to bad, but drink loads of water. Dont bail into the Cactus, painful.......
So overall, where the trail is good, its real good, where its easy, its boring ish..... Some really good flowy areas when the pace is lifted..
Scenery is quite cool..
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Summary: a little bit of everything. Some technical, some sand, some really cool spots, not the biggest climbs, untill you get to the chutes, and lots of cactus!!! To me the southern half of the trail. Golder Ranch Road to Catalina State Park is the better more technical half. Better climbs and a lot more rock gardens. During Monsoon season this trail rocks as all the sand gets packed down and the trail becomes super fast and a total blast to ride. Just be kind to the cattle. I have seen a Mountain Lion just before the Deer Camp Loop part.
Recommended Route: all other reviews are correct.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Tucson Mtn Park
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Summary: We started this trail at an equestrian area inside of Catalina State Park. It starts of very sandy and then makes a hard left up a hill that is a good workout. The trail is somewhat technical from a beginners point of view. It is single track with rocks galore and cacti everywhere. There were only a few spots that I decided to walk, though more advanced riders could have probably ridden everything without much problem. We rode for probably about 2 miles or so. We really didn't know quite where we were but it didn't matter.
This has got to be one of the most fun trails that I have ridden since I started riding about 7 months ago. The scenery is spectacular and the riding awesome.
Recommended Route: I enjoyed this way on the trail though it seems as if most people prefer going to the section off of Golder Ranch Road. We went down to that area but only rode a little bit since we had already ridden a lot that day and our legs were toast.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Fantasy Island
Saguaro National Monument (8 mile road ride with a fun stretch of dirt trail)
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Summary: Excellent trail. Good variety of terrain. Some nice flowing areas. Some nice rocks waiting to rip off your derailleur. Pretty well marked with those big brown plastic signs. The majority of it was definitely single track. Not much opportunity for passing.
The cactus reached out and grabbed this southeastern boy more than once (had a Leatherman on me to aid in removal), and I missed a big ol' rattler's tail by an inch. He coiled up and was ready to strike when my wife came up on him! Fortunately she stopped short. I took a few pics and then we rode on.
THe chutes are indeed a blast. The overall trail was well worth the time!
Recommended Route: We parked at the parking lot off Goulder Ranch Road. Rode across the cattle guard and entered the trail.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Fantasy Island (FUN!) and Star Pass (also enjoyable but needs signs).
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Summary: Beautiful, sinuous rolling desert singletrack. Nothing overly technical on the main 50 Yr. trail, but enough rocks and tight turns to keep you from drifting off. Incredible views of the Santa Catalina mountains, and it's virtually impossible to get lost (i.e. you may not know exactly what trail you're on, but you'll certainly be able to find your way back to your car). Rode it while the wildflowers in Catalina St. Park were in bloom- beautiful! The Chutes are as much fun as everyone says.
Recommended Route: We rode it out and back from Edwin Rd.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Deer Camp loop.
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