KEY INFO
LOCATION Italian Trap to Gordon Hirabayashi Campground
DISTANCE 15.7 miles one-way
DAY-TRIP OPTION See turnaround note in the trail description.
SHUTTLE RECOMMENDATIONS Redington Road (passage mile 2.4), Bellota Ranch Road 36 (passage mile 6.7), Molino Basin Campground (passage mile 13.2)
DIFFICULTY Moderate
LAND MANAGER Coronado National Forest, Santa Catalina Ranger District, www.fs.usda.gov/coronado, 520-749-8700
RECOMMENDED MONTHS September–May
GATEWAY COMMUNITY See Tucson).
GEOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS See “The Mighty Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains”.
This passage provides a link between Saguaro National Park and the Pusch Ridge Wilderness within the Santa Catalina Mountains. Oaks abound through this passage, and the nearby Bellota Ranch takes its name from the Spanish word for “acorn.” The mountain biking through this passage is incredible.
There are two campgrounds near the terminus of this section. Molino Basin Campground closes for the summer (usually at the end of April), and the water is shut off at that time. Gordon Hirabayashi Campground is open year-round but has no water.
From the metal Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) sign at Italian Trap, follow the road’s curve to the north. After 2 miles, crest a hill and avoid a side road on the right. Continue 0.1 mile past trail mileage signs to a maintained dirt road (Redington Road). Cross the road and head northeast past a large AZT sign. This easy-to-follow trail soon turns west and in 4 miles arrives at the Bellota Ranch Road. When approaching the road, stay to the left of it—you’ll pass a trail mileage sign—about 100 yards before crossing Bellota Ranch Road. Continue west across the road for 125 yards, where another large AZT marker greets you.
A feature known as The Lake (two water basins) is northeast of the AZT marker and about 100 yards off the trail. Bear left from the metal sign, follow a wash for about 100 yards, and then pick up the Bellota Trail (Trail 15), a singletrack that takes off to the left (southwest).
After about 8 miles, pass through a fence. The trail rolls through rocky hills and pleasant vegetation, descending to cross an upper finger of the Agua Caliente drainage at approximately mile 9, west-southwest of Bellota Ranch headquarters. A seasonal flow of water and the shade of large cottonwood trees offer a cool place to rest.
TURNAROUND NOTE: If you’re on an out-and-back hike starting from Italian Trap, this spot is an ideal place to turn around and head back toward your vehicle.
Continuing, the trail turns left (west) onto a dirt road. Just beyond, stay on the trail to the right. (Don’t take another cairn-marked trail, the Milagrosa Ridge Trail, on the left.) In 1.5 miles, pass through an old gate and climb out of a wash.
The road ends 0.4 mile later at a cement cistern that collects water from nearby West Spring (4,080 feet). Hop on a singletrack that departs to the west and then climbs steeply to the northwest. After plenty of switchbacks, the trail tops out in a saddle (4,846 feet). Mount Lemmon’s sheer cliffs to the north-northwest are evidence of the rocky terrain waiting for you on Passage 11.
The tall, purple flower heads of thistle (Cirsium neomexicanum) often adorn the trail.
The trail descends steeply to the west through many switchbacks, which can be hair-raising for cyclists. Reach the bottom of the drainage, and turn left (west) at a T-intersection. Carefully cross General Hitchcock Highway in 0.1 mile to enter Molino Basin Campground. From the highway, Tucson is 10.5 miles downhill to the left (west) for thru-hikers in need of supplies.
To continue from Molino Basin Campground, bear right, go around the bathroom facilities to the northwest corner of the parking lot, and find a trail marker for the single track Molino Basin Trail (Trail 11). Travel west on this trail about 50 yards to a T-intersection, turn right, and then make a quick left to avoid going through campsite 1. Descend through a wash, cross the road to the southwest, and continue on a trail that curves to the right (west).
The next 2.5 miles are popular with mountain bikers. While still in the campground, the trail crosses a road and begins a gradual climb to the northwest. Soon a sign indicates Upper Molino Basin Campground 0.1 mile to the right (north). Stay on the main trail. The AZT crests a small rise and begins to descend into an adjoining canyon. At a fork in 30 yards, take a left (southwest). As you gain elevation, it’s easy to notice the effects of the Aspen Fire—a massive blaze that severely scorched these hills in 2003. Most of the manzanita are gone, but some of the old oaks remain. As you finish this passage, a spur trail leads right to the Gordon Hirabayashi Campground parking lot and the end of Passage 10. To stay on the AZT, continue straight (west).
This entire passage is great, but beginning at West Spring Tank presents a challenging 1.5-mile climb. The ride from Bellota Trailhead past Molino Basin Campground and on to Gordon Hirabayashi Campground is classic, with everything from easy, flat spinning to lung-wrenching climbs and a crazy downhill. Passage 11 enters the Pusch Ridge Wilderness, so thru-riders must ride along the Bug Spring Trail (north of Gordon Hirabayashi Campground), Green Mountain Trail, Incinerator Ridge Trail, and other nonwilderness trails east of General Hitchcock Highway to reach the AZT at Oracle Ridge. For detailed information about scenic mountain biking routes around wilderness areas, visit aztrail.org.
From Tucson, head east on Tanque Verde Road, which becomes Redington Road after you leave the city. The road turns to dirt near mile marker 3 and is slow going from there up. Continue to 0.5 mile past mile marker 12.
If you’re driving a passenger vehicle, park on the right at the top of a small ridge, as the remainder of the route is very rocky and bumpy. The AZT crosses Redington Road here as marked by signs on both sides. Those who wish to reach Italian Trap by high-clearance four-wheel-drive may descend the south side of the ridge and continue 2 miles. Park at a large metal AZT sign near some corrals and fences. The last stretch of Passage 9 arrives on the road from the east.
The gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) spends most of its life underground, so an encounter with one should be considered special … and enjoyed from a distance.
The oak-grassland of Redington Pass is a pleasant experience for equines and equestrians alike.
If you want to hit the trail from here, please follow the trail description in reverse order. Follow Tanque Verde Road east from Tucson and turn left (north) on Catalina Highway. Drive about 9 miles and pass Molino Basin Campground. Continue 1.7 miles beyond the campground, and take the left (west) turn to Gordon Hirabayashi Campground. Drive 0.3 mile to a parking area. Follow a trail out of the south end of the parking lot for 40 yards to reach a T-intersection with the AZT.