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Oracle Ridge
3 reviews
4 of 5
Technical in spots. Very overgrown in spots. Otherwise, very nice singletrack. You will come to a couple of sections that turn into very rough jeep road. There are several feeder trails that come into these jeep trails from the right. Just stay left.
Eventually you will come to a sign indicating the control road/Arizona trail head at approx (4.8 miles). I think it's called Bill Cody trail. Here is where you want to take a right. This will dump you off at the bottom of the control road at a trail head and a few miles from the town of Oracle. Hopefully you've arranged for a ride!
All in all, a very nice singletrack that probably has the longest stretches of continuous down hill singletrack in Tucson (I've ridden them all). Very steep in places, but not real technical like some of the others on Mt. Lemmon.
Drive up Catalina Hwy and make a right at the control road (Fire station). Parking area is on the left. Trail Head at north end of parking area (marked). If you're a really sick pup, you can ride up the control road from Oracle. Otherwise, it's a shuttle ride.
Summary: I did this with a friend a few weeks ago, just before it started getting hot. We rode from the trail head described above, all the way into the town of Oracle itself, coming out on the Oracle Ridge trail head on Cody loop road. The top couple of miles are now pretty messed up after the bull dozers did their thing cutting fire breaks last summer. Once we got passed Dan's saddle, there was a LOT more uphill riding than we anticipated. In all, I'd say there is close to 800 or more vertical feet of climbing on this ride (need to check a topo for accuracy though). The down hill sections that haven't been bladed are a blast. Neither of us had ridden the trail before and we were actually over prepared with too much water, pads and full face. Took 4 hours but could have cut off at least 45 minutes if travelling with less bulk. This is a ride I have wanted to do for years. I'm glad I did, but won't be doing it again in a hurry. I think there are far better rides off Mt. Lemmon than this, but it is definitely worth doing if you have been thinking about it.
Recommended Route: As above. The route marked on "The Map" is a loop that only takes you less than half the distance to Oracle, and misses the best parts of the trail.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Take any of the fire roads from around Pepper Sauce Creek up to the Oracle Ridge around Rice Peak and then take the single track down to Cody Loop Rd. This will give you the best the Oracle Ridge trail has to offer.
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Review Date November 24, 2000
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Ridden Trail: Please Select
Reviewed by: BStaz
, from Phx Az
Summary: Took me and 2 other guys about 12 hours to make the ride from American Flag Ranch up the fire road then down the single track back to American Flag ranch. We by no means were moving at a race pace, more of a enjoy the big ass ride pace. I would suggest this ride to anyone who knows how to read a map and wants to spend a long day on a bike :-)
Recommended Route: Up the fireroad down oracle ridge
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Review Date November 23, 2000
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a year
Reviewed by: Phil
, from Tucson
Summary: Has a few technical spots toward the top. Very nice views about half way down and very steep/loose in places. All in all, a very fun ride that most intermediate/sport level riders will have no problems with. While not as technical as some of the others in the Catalina, probably the most fun because it's such a continuous flow of singletrack . . . especially that last 4 miles on Cody trail!
Recommended Route: As stated. Is very overgrown in spots w/ Manzania, but you should be able to find your way. The "MAP" at most bike shops also has this trail.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Green Mtn, SanManiego, Canada Del Oro, and Aspen Draw
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