KEY INFO
LOCATION Freeman Road Trailhead to Gila River
DISTANCE 28.4 miles one-way
DAY-TRIP OPTION See turnaround note in the trail description.
SHUTTLE RECOMMENDATION Tecolote Ranch Road (passage mile 8.5)
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 and Florence.
GEOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS Not applicable
Moderate trail miles along singletrack and doubletrack make for easy travel through rolling desert terrain. The trail eventually climbs into the foothills of the Tortilla Mountains before descending toward the Gila River. A combination of carsonite signs and rock cairns marks the trail, but cattle trails crossing the passage sometimes obscure the route.
Although this passage crosses Arizona State Land, no permit is required to travel on the trail or camp within the 15-foot Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) corridor. Trail users, however, must respect all livestock operations in this area and close all gates along the trail unless they are intentionally wired open.
From the Freeman Road Trailhead, the route heads northwest on singletrack crossing several drainages and one larger wash. At 0.6 mile, the trail arrives at a pipeline road and turns right (north), following this road. After about 50 yards the trail follows the road on the left at a Y-junction. The trail continues on this road about 1 mile and then follows the singletrack that exits to the left (west).
The trail meanders through more drainages and a wash for 0.3 mile where it crosses a road and continues on for another 0.2 mile where it crosses Tecolote Ranch Road (Haydon Ranch Road) at mile 2.2. The trail begins to head northwest, goes under some high-tension power lines at mile 2.5, crosses two doubletracks, and then crosses a pipeline road at about mile 3.7.
The descent through Ripsey Wash and its forest of swollen saguaros is one of the many hidden treasures along Passage 15.
Shortly after crossing the pipeline road, the trail crosses a large wash and then turns to the west where it begins following a fence line on the right. About 1.8 miles from the pipeline road is a gate next to a fence corner. After going through the gate, the trail turns to the northwest and passes several more boulders, a very large boulder pile, the first saguaro cactus on this passage, and a few more boulders. From here the trail crosses several arroyos and then a doubletrack road about 1.2 miles from the gate. After passing through more small drainages, the trail turns north, heads up more small washes, climbs up a hill and passes through another gate just before Tecolote Ranch Road.
TURNAROUND NOTE: Because of the remote nature of this passage, out-and-back day-hikers should not go beyond this road, which makes for a 17-mile round-trip from Freeman Road Trailhead.
Moving forward, after crossing Tecolote Ranch Road, the trail keeps to the north, crossing more washes, passing under the same high-tension power lines, and joining a road 1.9 miles from Tecolote Ranch Road. It turns left onto this road, stays to the right at a road junction 0.4 mile along it, and continues on it for almost 2 miles. Leaving the road, the route heads across desert terrain before joining another road. From here the trail turns north, passes through a gate and several road junctions, and then leaves the road (left) and climbs to a gate on a hill.
Climbing “The Big Hill” requires strong legs and lots of determination.
The trail descends the northeast side of this hill, follows a drainage, and then joins a road for a very short distance up a steep hill. After leaving the road (left), the trail follows singletrack south just above the east side of Ripsey Wash. It turns left into the wash and follows a path marked by large cairns to the east side of the wash, where it turns left (north) again to a tributary wash coming in from the right (east).
The trail then turns right and follows a tributary wash for about 0.4 mile. It passes through a gate and begins climbing up what is called The Big Hill. After about 1 mile, the trail begins a series of switchbacks on the southwest side of the peak. It skirts the west side of the peak and continues to a ridge.
The trail follows this ridgeline to the north-northwest. After about 0.8 mile, the trail turns to the right (east), and after another 0.4 mile, it turns left (north). In 0.6 mile, the trail crosses a saddle and turns left (west) again. After another 0.6-mile stretch, the trail crosses a high point and begins a descent to the north. Numerous switchbacks snake through this section, and the trail eventually reaches the bottom of a deep arroyo.
After crossing several washes, the trail reaches singletrack leading to Florence–Kelvin Highway. It crosses the highway (currently a dirt road that will soon be paved) and heads north-northeast. After crossing a large wash, it curves around and down to the Gila River and the end of Passage 15.
Accommodations and supplies are available 6 miles to the southeast on AZ 177 in the town of Kearny and about 17 miles north in Superior on AZ 177.
One of Arizona’s largest mining corporations, ASARCO, has purchased a large tract of Arizona State Land for the purpose of storing excess tailings from nearby mining operations. Although it may be many years before waste rock is piled in the area near Ripsey Wash, the project will severely affect the current AZT. The ATA is currently developing a scenic and sustainable reroute for the northern portion of this passage.
The first 11 miles of this passage are largely on singletrack through rolling desert terrain, offering an excellent mountain biking experience for most skill levels. The next section often follows old doubletrack roads and becomes more challenging as the trail climbs into the Tortilla Mountains. For more information about mountain biking along the Arizona National Scenic Trail, visit aztrail.org.
The southern-access trailhead is quite remote and many miles from common landmarks. From the south, drive north from Oracle Junction on AZ 79, and 0.8 mile past milepost 111 turn right (east) onto Freeman Road. At about 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 double track joining the road on the left (north) at mile 19.5. Turn left and follow this road, and immediately encounter the AZT trailhead.
Cresting the high point of Passage 15 before a thrilling descent toward the Gila River
If you want to hit the trail from here, please follow the trail description in reverse order. From the town of Superior, take AZ 177 south 15.5 miles, and then turn right (south) toward the town of Kelvin. Continue 1.2 miles to the bridge. Passage 14 approaches the bridge from the south. From Florence, drive 1.5 miles south on AZ 79, and turn left (east) on the dirt Florence–Kelvin Highway. Continue 31 miles to the town of Kelvin and a historic bridge over the Gila River.
From the towns of Hayden and Winkelman, drive northwest on AZ 177 about 16 miles, and then turn south (left) on the Florence–Kelvin Highway toward Kelvin. Continue 1.2 miles to the bridge.