KEY INFO
LOCATION Tiger Mine Trailhead to Freeman Road Trailhead
DISTANCE 27.4 miles one-way
DAY-TRIP OPTION See turnaround note in the trail description.
SHUTTLE RECOMMENDATIONS Tucson Wash Road (passage mile 4.2), Camp Grant Road (passage mile 12.0)
DIFFICULTY Moderate
LAND MANAGERS Pinal County, pinalcountyaz.gov, 520-866-6455; Arizona State Land Department, azland.gov, 602-542-4631
RECOMMENDED MONTHS February–May and October–December
GATEWAY COMMUNITIES See Central Copper Corridor.
GEOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS Not applicable
Ubiquitous cactus, sandy soil, and hot, dry weather characterize Passage 14. Here, visitors will find a rich, complex community of plants and animals in delicate coexistence. The opportunities for solitude are as limitless as the Arizona sky, and the whispers of wind and songs of cactus wrens are the only sounds. At night, you’ll be treated to celestial entertainment unlike anything you’ve ever seen. This is one of the most seldom visited passages on the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT).
That is because—despite its beauty—Passage 14 serves up serious challenges associated with hiking, biking, and riding in the desert. Temperatures routinely top 100 degrees from June through September, and finding shade is nearly impossible (except when turkey vultures are circling overhead). In winter, temperatures plunge and torrents of water can fill the otherwise-dry washes in minutes. Precise planning is imperative to ensure a safe and successful trip, especially where water caches are concerned.
Water may present the single greatest planning challenge to the AZT traveler on desert passages. You need to drink up to a gallon of water per day, and there are few reliable natural sources. All available water along this passage is owned by ranchers, whose permission you must secure before using it. You have two alternatives: either cache water along your route prior to your outing, or arrange for people to meet you along the way.
Note: This passage crosses Arizona State Land, and you must have a permit to venture outside the 15-foot trail corridor.
From the Tiger Mine Trailhead, the trail twists north-northwest for about 5.5 miles until it reaches a three-way pipeline road intersection. Over this section, en route to the pipeline, you descend into and cross several distinct washes, all of which are about a mile apart; eventually you reach the largest, Tucson Wash.
TURNAROUND NOTE: This is a moderate turnaround location for anyone day-hiking a portion of this remote passage. Mountain bikers may wish to continue on to Mountainview Tank before turning around.
To continue, climb out of Tucson Wash, the trail gently curves around to a true north direction as you traverse several ridges, one gate, and a dirt road and then arrive at the pipeline intersection. At this junction, a large white steel gate on the east side signifies private land owned by El Paso Gas.
To continue, follow singletrack as it twists north for approximately 10.5 miles to the confluence of Camp Grant and Bloodsucker Washes. Over this distance you traverse many drainages, unique rock formations, and panoramic views as you climb up and over the ridgeline of the Black Hills. Antelope Peak is a prominent landmark, as are the Superstition and Pinal Mountains. To the east lie the entire Galiuro Mountains, the San Pedro River, and Mount Graham (10,720 feet). To the south you can see the Rincon and Santa Catalina Mountains. This vista helps you understand how expansive the Sonoran Desert is as it transitions from low to high desert.
Traversing this 10.5-mile section, you pass through three cowboy-style gates, cross five dirt ranch roads, and possibly observe many nearby old cattle tanks, broken windmills, and abandoned wells. Near the middle of this stretch and visible from long distances is Mountainview Tank. Water is pumped up to this 40,000-gallon tank from lower wells, which then gravity feeds to numerous smaller tanks across many miles of the cattle ranch. Once you are past the tank area, the trail crosses one more ranch road and winds around numerous drainages and smaller ridgelines for the next 2 miles.
There is ample signage, both cairns and carsonites, as the trail turns gently to the west and climbs to a high ridgeline, the final ridge before it drops to the confluence of Camp Grant and Bloodsucker Washes. At this point the trail descends directly into the ever-changing wash, crosses to a vegetated island, and then traverses the rest of the confluence, dotted with numerous carsonite signs, until it reaches a doubletrack ranch road.
Often overlooked because of its remote nature, Passage 14 offers outstanding opportunities for trail adventures and relaxation under star-filled skies.
Continue on the road as it bends west, passing through several gates and eventually dropping down to Beehive Well and Tank, on the edge of Putnam Wash. The trail heads northwest in Putnam Wash for a short distance, exiting to the northeast, then crosses several ridges, descends into Dobson Wash, and passes near Antelope Tank. After another gate and road crossing, the trail continues northwest as it circles on the east and north sides of Antelope Peak, where it joins a doubletrack. It joins another doubletrack and heads north for approximately 1 mile, crosses Freeman Road and turns west, goes through one more gate, and then arrives at the Freeman Road Trailhead, marking the end of Passage 14.
Although some of this passage follows roads that are easy to ride, most miles are on singletrack that will present difficulties for novice riders. For those with desert riding experience, Passage 14 is an outstanding point-to-point route if you can arrange a car shuttle. For more information about mountain biking along the Arizona National Scenic Trail, visit aztrail.org.
From the east entrance to the town of Oracle (East American Avenue), drive 0.8 mile east on AZ 77 to mile marker 105 and turn left (north) onto Old Tiger Road. After 1.5 miles on this road, look for an unmistakable AZT gateway on the left (north) side of the road. Parking is available on both sides of the road.
This route is usually passable by high-clearance vehicles; a four-wheel-drive is recommended. On the north end of the town of Mammoth, turn west onto Camino Rio Road, which quickly turns north. Drive north on Camino Rio for 4.7 miles, then turn left (west) into unmarked Gapgage Wash. A two-track road runs up the wash. At mile 7.0, stay on the road as it continues west out of the wash.
Cross a wash at mile 9.9 and begin a wide, sweeping curve, first right and then left, ultimately turning south. At mile 14.4, watch for corrals on your right. Stay right and pass immediately next to the corrals, reaching a Y-intersection in a few hundred feet. Bear left (south-southwest). Do not make any sharp turns in the maze of old roads here. The road climbs a short distance out of the wash.
At mile 19.6 the road turns sharply right; the open area south of the road here is a popular camping spot for hunters and trail workers. The AZT crosses the road approximately 0.25 mile west of this corner. The 40,000-gallon Mountainview Tank is visible just beyond the trail crossing.
If you want to hit the trail from here, please follow the trail description in reverse order. The trailhead is quite remote and many miles from common landmarks.
From the south, drive north from Oracle Junction on AZ 79 and turn right (east) on Freeman Road 0.8 mile past milepost 111. After 14 miles, continue past Barkerville Road, which joins from the left (north). At approximately 15.5 miles, notice the sign for Willow Springs Road, which joins from the right (south), but bear left and continue on Freeman Road, which becomes Barkerville Road. Note Haydon Ranch Road on the left (north) at approximately mile 16.8 and then a power line at 18.7, followed quickly by an underground pipeline crossing at 18.9. Slow down and watch for an obscure doubletrack joining the road on the left (north) at mile 19.5. Turn left and follow this road to immediately encounter the AZT trailhead.