Arizona Trail: Oracle to Picketpost, Day 2 (Arizona Trail)
Mountain Biking Trail
Hard
25.86 mi
2,102 ft
The second day of your journey marks the transition into the more stunning final 3 days of purpose-built singletrack, flowy trails and rugged, jaw-dropping terrain.
This Arizona Trail mountain bike tour is truly a hidden gem. Deep in the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona lies one of the finest stretches of singletrack anywhere – The Arizona Trail between Oracle, AZ and Superior, AZ. We often use the word “remote”, but this section of trail may take the cake. It’s OUT there. Despite being one of the hottest deserts in North America the Sonoran Desert is teaming with life. Gila monsters, desert tortoise, javelinas, rattlesnakes and countless types of cactus permeate the landscape. Rugged and unforgiving as it is beautiful – it is magical world many of us do not get to experience often.
This is a self-guided tour, but not like our others. We mandate the following: GPS with the AZ Trail track from loaded, latex or Slime tubes (and plenty of them), 100oz hydration bladder and at least one water bottle mounted on the bike, and beefy tires. A little preparation goes a long way on this trip. Our goal is not to scare you, but simply be prepared for a great time mountain biking the Arizona Trail. This is a difficult, advanced level trip for experienced mountain bikers.
We created this trip for those who don’t want a guide, don’t want to be supported during the week and generally just want their own self-serve adventure with a bit of logistical assistance. Each day we relocate a very deluxe camp setup (provided by Ready Camp) of (2) 10×10 canopies, full kitchen, dry firewood, camp chairs, fresh water, coolers of food and beverages (you purchase prior to trip) and all your personal gear like tents, bags and clothing. You can go as cheap or deluxe as you want on food, beverages and amenities!!
Day 2
The second day of your journey marks the transition into the more stunning final 3 days of purpose-built singletrack, flowy trails and rugged, jaw-dropping terrain. Right from the gate riders are treated to some fast, flowy singletrack into the “Boulders” section of the AZT. The sky-scraping spires of the Gila Canyons dominate the northern backdrop throughout the day. The singletrack is interrupted by a short two-track traverse before giving way to rolling singletrack into the washes below the Prickly Nipple. This our name for the unnamed peak in the distance with Zorro-like switchbacks scored across its face. Those switchbacks are the AZT snaking its way up the Prickly Nipple; one of the great singletrack climbs of the entire trip. Once atop the Prickly Nipple riders are treated to ridgeline riding with outstanding 360-degree views. The descent from the ridgeline is arguably the best descent of the 4 days – miles of bench cut trail weaving in and out of Saguaro cacti fields all the way to camp! Ride length is 27 miles.
For more information or to book a tour, visit: Written by FATMAP Official
This Arizona Trail mountain bike tour is truly a hidden gem. Deep in the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona lies one of the finest stretches of singletrack anywhere – The Arizona Trail between Oracle, AZ and Superior, AZ. We often use the word “remote”, but this section of trail may take the cake. It’s OUT there. Despite being one of the hottest deserts in North America the Sonoran Desert is teaming with life. Gila monsters, desert tortoise, javelinas, rattlesnakes and countless types of cactus permeate the landscape. Rugged and unforgiving as it is beautiful – it is magical world many of us do not get to experience often.
This is a self-guided tour, but not like our others. We mandate the following: GPS with the AZ Trail track from loaded, latex or Slime tubes (and plenty of them), 100oz hydration bladder and at least one water bottle mounted on the bike, and beefy tires. A little preparation goes a long way on this trip. Our goal is not to scare you, but simply be prepared for a great time mountain biking the Arizona Trail. This is a difficult, advanced level trip for experienced mountain bikers.
We created this trip for those who don’t want a guide, don’t want to be supported during the week and generally just want their own self-serve adventure with a bit of logistical assistance. Each day we relocate a very deluxe camp setup (provided by Ready Camp) of (2) 10×10 canopies, full kitchen, dry firewood, camp chairs, fresh water, coolers of food and beverages (you purchase prior to trip) and all your personal gear like tents, bags and clothing. You can go as cheap or deluxe as you want on food, beverages and amenities!!
Day 2
The second day of your journey marks the transition into the more stunning final 3 days of purpose-built singletrack, flowy trails and rugged, jaw-dropping terrain. Right from the gate riders are treated to some fast, flowy singletrack into the “Boulders” section of the AZT. The sky-scraping spires of the Gila Canyons dominate the northern backdrop throughout the day. The singletrack is interrupted by a short two-track traverse before giving way to rolling singletrack into the washes below the Prickly Nipple. This our name for the unnamed peak in the distance with Zorro-like switchbacks scored across its face. Those switchbacks are the AZT snaking its way up the Prickly Nipple; one of the great singletrack climbs of the entire trip. Once atop the Prickly Nipple riders are treated to ridgeline riding with outstanding 360-degree views. The descent from the ridgeline is arguably the best descent of the 4 days – miles of bench cut trail weaving in and out of Saguaro cacti fields all the way to camp! Ride length is 27 miles.
For more information or to book a tour, visit: Written by FATMAP Official
Created By
Strava Routes
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| AZT-Freeman TH to FK TH | 26.44 mi | -1,890 ft | -1.4% |
| AZT N. of Freeman, 2nd singletrack section | 8.40 mi | -469 ft | -1.1% |
| Desert Buzzin' (-2% 'Reduced Fat' AZT Fun) | 1.68 mi | -135 ft | -1.5% |
| AZT TankGate to FKH | 12.19 mi | -1,411 ft | -1.8% |
| AZT Zigzagging Down the Wash | 1.42 mi | -358 ft | -4.7% |
| Race to the water | 0.71 mi | -207 ft | -5.4% |
| Unnamed Rd Climb | 1.96 mi | 794 ft | 7.7% |
| Main Ripsey Climb and Descent | 7.25 mi | -1,440 ft | -1.7% |
| Ripsey Climb - Green Gate to Top of Ridgeline | 1.45 mi | 702 ft | 9.2% |
| AZT Lombard St Descent to Lot | 5.24 mi | -1,440 ft | -5.1% |
| The Ridge | 2.04 mi | -377 ft | -3.5% |
| AZT Main Ripsey Descent to Lot (with margins) | 5.41 mi | -1,421 ft | -5.0% |
| Ripsey DH to Gate | 1.12 mi | -640 ft | -10.8% |
| Switchbacks | 0.65 mi | -410 ft | -11.8% |
| Watch out below! | 0.53 mi | -351 ft | -12.0% |
| Ripsey Flow | 1.16 mi | -305 ft | -5.0% |