MtbREVIEW.com supports IMBA and responsible riding. Please submit only legal
trails to our list. If you discover a trail posted on this site that is not
open for public mountain biking, please email our IMBA friends at
info@imba.com with detailed info.
They'll help us remove the unauthorized trail from the site.
Click here for info about keeping our trails open.
If this is the correct location, click "Save Point" below or type the nearest location (country, city, Zip, or land mark) and the map will pan over to the location if the location is found.
Save Point
Go to Nearest Location:
Lat:
Lng:
Crystal Springs
7 reviews
3.14 of 5
Ride up the control road back to Catalina Highway, turn left(leg recovery). About 2 miles down, turn left at the butterfly trailhead (mile marker 22.7). Follow the jeep road down and you will run into a single track. The trail is very technical at this point (off camber, roots, rocks, narrow). Be very careful not to slide off the trail. VERY STEEP DROPS. About 1.2 mi. from the butterfly trailhead there will be a left turn for the Crystal Springs trail. The trail contains many technical challenges and very steep climbing. Trail comes out where you parked.
I recommend this trail for advanced riders that want to test their endurance and technical skills. Probably not worth driving long distance for. The trail worth driving for is the Red Ridge trail that begins very close to this one. Pick up the Arizona Off Road Adventures map at any local shop for details on this ride and many others in the southwest. For additional fun, combine the Aspen Draw and Red Ridge trails. 5 stars. A shuttle is necessary for Aspen Draw/Red Ridge. Be sure to pick up a good set of downhill balls at the bike shop. Happy riding.
Bring at least 70 oz. of water during the summer months.
Take I-10 to Tucson, take Speedway exit heading east,turn left on Wilmot,turn left on Catalina highway (look for signs for Mt. Lemmon),approx. 25 mi. up highway turn right on the Control road (recommend truck),follow control road down 3 miles,parking on the left, trail sign is on the right (you will exit the trail here). If you want more detailed information about the trails or area, stop at the Palisade Ranger Station on the way up Catalina Hgwy. or stop at the fire station just as you head down the control road. The rangers are very cool and very helpful.
Be sure to check out the groovy trail signs by Dave Burnham.
NOTE:
You can park at the Butterfly trailhead and begin there, but you finish the ride with 3 miles of steep rocky jeep road to climb. I prefer to get the climbing out of the way at the beginning of a ride and have detailed these directions as such.
This trail would be a nice, technical ride if it were maintained. Unfortunately, it is well overgrown and there are MANY downed trees blocking the trail at about waist height - you know the kind of obstacle that is not fun to lift a 35lb bike over every tenth of a mile.
Honestly, I would not venture out there in hopes of riding much.
Recommended Route:
I recommend not riding this trial unless there is considerable trail work done.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Aspen Trail, La Milagrosa, 50 Year Trail, Charleau Gap, etc.
Would you like to Comment? Join MTBR.com for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Summary: In short the trail was pretty brutal. Not too single speed friendly. Both Butterfly and Crystal Springs trails are prett overgrown and pretty washed out in some spots with some downed trees across trail. Rideable sections are super fun and technical. Lots of hike-a-bike though.
Recommended Route: Parked at fire station on control road and rode to Palisades Ranger station to start Butterfly trial. Ride this @ 3.5-4 miles and pick up Crystal springs trail. Ride Crystal Springs up to Oracle Control road and ride the 3 miles back up to fire station.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Aspen Draw, Prison Camp/AZ Trail, Oracle Ridge.
Would you like to Comment? Join MTBR.com for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Review Date October 6, 2003
Overall Rating 3 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty 3 of 5
Technical Difficulty 0 of 5
Ridden Trail: Tested or demo'ed only
Reviewed by: kylebakin
,
Weekend Warrior
Favorite Trail: Chiva, Fantasy
Summary: Trail has been re-opened since the Aspen fire of summer 03. I agree with the first review of this trail and must re-emphasize its technical difficulty and DANGEROUS drops. Not for the faint of heart. I consider myself an intermediate experienced rider, and suppose this may be fun for the expert. Some sections are washed out and un-rideable. This trail would be an absolute beautiful hike with all of the new growth that has been promoted by the ash nutrients and newly available sunlight for the ground, but the trail is somewhat overgrown, making it even more difficult to ride. Not much of workout, until you get to the road. From there, it's spin, spin, spin. Took me about 2 hours start to finish.
Would you like to Comment? Join MTBR.com for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Review Date September 4, 2002
Overall Rating 1 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a year
Reviewed by: cosmic ray
, from flagstaff
Summary: Trail closed
Recommended Route: Trail is closed due to fire on Mt. Lemmon
Would you like to Comment? Join MTBR.com for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Review Date March 12, 2001
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Ridden Trail: Every few months
Reviewed by: Bill
, from Tucson, AZ
Summary: This trail is in a league of it's own. It's my personal favorite trail, and unlike anything down in the desert. Either shuttle back up, or be ready for a long grind. A lot of people recomend riding up the road, then back down the singletrack, but I wouldn't advise tackling the technical sections when tired.
Recommended Route: Start atop Mt. Bigelow at the antennas. (Right on mt. bigelow road , right at the "T", and go to the end of the road)
Other recommended trails in the same area: Oracle Ridge, Samaniago Ridge
Would you like to Comment? Join MTBR.com for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
3.14 of 5
1 of 5
3 of 5
5 of 5
3 of 5
4 of 5
0 of 5
5 of 5
