The 50 Year Trail starts as a gentle cruise amongst the cacti but gets more technical as it climbs toward the Catalina Mountains. This 10.3-mile ride starts at the end of Golder Ranch Road and cruises an easy, winding stretch of singletrack that stays level until it dips toward Sutherland Wash near mile 1.5. The trail gets rockier as it dips and crosses the wash and approaches the Catalina Mountains. Less than half a mile after leaving the wash, dive west for a 1.25-mile loop that runs smooth and fast through a series of small ridgelines and valleys known as "The Chutes."
The climb continues into boulders and bigger rocks on the Upper 50 Year Loop. Here slickrock sections, ledges and challenges abound. Alternate lines provide opportunity for skilled riders to really test (or hurt) themselves. Bypass the Deer Camp Trail as you roll along the foothills heading south before dipping back toward Sutherland Wash and closing the loop just after mile 8. Finish the ride by flying through one last section of buffed, high speed trail, just overshooting the trailhead and climbing back toward it on a dirt road.
-Mapped by Scott Morris, TopoFusion.com
TO TRAILHEAD: From Tucson, drive 17 miles north (just before entering the town of Catalina) on Oracle Rd. and turn right on Golder Ranch Rd. Drive 1.9 miles east, continuing to follow the road as it turns to dirt, rounds a curve heading south and dead ends at the trailhead.
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Fifty Year Trail
| Dist: 10.28 mi |
Points: 997 |
Calories: none |
| Time: none |
Speed: 0.0 mph |
Pace: 0:00 / mi |
FIF001
Location: 32.474913°, -110.892354°
The large gravel parking area at the end of Golder Ranch Road doesn't have any services. Bring all the water you'll need for your ride and follow the trail from the lot's east side.
FIF002
Location: 32.478660°, -110.887628°
Turn left and stay on the singletrack at this 3-way junction.
FIF003
Location: 32.482072°, -110.875354°
Just past mile 1.5, bear left to stay on the 50 Year Trail. The rocky trail winds north and dips toward the Sutherland Wash. The Deer Camp Loop, which crosses a cattleguard as it comes in from the right, serves as the return route of this loop.
FIF004
Location: 32.495194°, -110.867651°
Stay left to complete a 1.25-mile loop called "The Chutes." You'll lose a little over 200 feet of elevation in the first half of the smooth, fast loop. As you climb back to this spot, stay to the right and follow signs for the 50 Year Trail heading toward the Upper Loop.
FIF005
Location: 32.501370°, -110.858912°
Pass through the gate at the end of the 50 Year Trail and cross the wash heading east into Catalina State Park. This northeastern-most trail, the Upper Loop, is a more technical ride.
FIF006
Location: 32.497909°, -110.857587°
The high desert terrain makes for lots of trail-like extensions. Try to stay on the main trail but just after the high point at mile 5.4, look for alternate lines that provide ledges and slick rock challenges heading downhill.
FIF007
Location: 32.492841°, -110.862544°
Cross the sandy wash and join the Middle Gate Trail as you climb out of the wash and continue heading south. The next 0.75 mile climbs almost 300 feet but you'll dip into another wash about 0.5 mile from here.
FIF008
Location: 32.484208°, -110.859765°
Stay straight and continue south on the Middle Gate Trail as the Deer Camp Trail branches left to the east. You'll roll downhill on mostly hard-pack as it turns west and crosses Sutherland Wash again.
FIF009
Location: 32.481769°, -110.871926°
As you climb out of Sutherland Wash, you'll cruise a smaller sandy river bed and skirt the edge of the state park. After cruising over a cattlegaurd up ahead, turn left to close this route's 6.7-mile loop and wind west toward the trailhead.
FIF010
Location: 32.478723°, -110.887585°
On the return trip, add another 0.5 mile of downhill by branching left and staying on the 50 Year Trail. To skip the dirt road climb at the end of this route, return to the trailhead on the outbound trail you followed earlier.
FIF011
Location: 32.470197°, -110.890503°
The 50 Year Trail crosses a wide, graded road and continues south toward the entrance at Catalina State Park. Turn right on the road and climb a small hill back to the trailhead lot.
Flats
Location: 32.489203°, -110.868133°
Bring plenty of spare tubes and know how to use them: flats are a way of life in the desert. © Scott Morris
Chutes
Location: 32.498605°, -110.869689°
A zippy downhill ridgeline trail on "The Chutes." © Scott Morris
Climbing
Location: 32.496008°, -110.866642°
The first major climb comes after the detour loop on The Chutes. The trail winds among boulders alongside the trail. © Kristy Holland
Cacti
Location: 32.501056°, -110.858804°
Rock and saguaro cactus are the backdrop for the rugged trail that rolls over slickrock and through rocks approaching Catalina State Park. © Scott Morris
Upper Loop
Location: 32.499826°, -110.856842°
Be prepared for ledges and drops on the Upper Loop. © Scott Morris
Sand
Location: 32.492580°, -110.862382°
Abrupt transition from solid rock to loose sand. © Scott Morris
Rocks
Location: 32.482642°, -110.859776°
Look for alternate lines, usually on rock, along the sides of the trail. © Scott Morris
Westbound
Location: 32.481899°, -110.860617°
Golden light makes for beautiful evening riding and the trail's last half heads west for great sunset views. © Scott Morris
Westbound
Location: 32.481393°, -110.873508°
© Scott Morris
Sunset Finish
Location: 32.474913°, -110.892257°
Enjoying the post-ride sunset at the trailhead. © Scott Morris
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