Elephant Head Trail Santa Rita Mountains Green Valley, Arizona Distance: 9-17 miles Type: mixed, out&back Time: 3-7 hours Season: anytime but summer Elevation Range: 3600-5800 ft Permit Required: Not at this time Quick Rating: desert romp Trail Map (180 Kb JPG) About the map and trail profile Revised 3/18/01 Coronado National Forest Trail Info

Description

The trail offers scenic desert riding on jeep trails and singletrack. You'll get a good look at Elephant Head as you ride by its western face (although it won't look much like its namesake that close). You can adjust the length of the ride to your riding fitness and degree of insanity. Take plenty of water! The trail crosses open desert with little cover. The ride back down Chino Canyon is one of the best downhills around. Lots of curves, whoop-dee-doos, and places to crash unexpectedly.

Rating

This trail will occasionally challenge you technically but for the most part it offers excellent riding for all. It's a good ride for building endurance and enjoying a fast trail through the desert. If you turn around before you start to wear out you'll love it. If you push yourself and make the climb to the TV towers your love may take on a deeper meaning. The 6 mile and 4000-ft elevation climb to the towers should not be attempted without plenty of water, snacks, and aerobic fitness.

How to get there

Take I-19 south to Green Valley, approximately 30 miles south of Tucson. Watch for Exit 63, Continental Road, on the south side of town. Turn left (east) on Continental Road when you get off the highway. Go 1.1 miles and turn right on White House Canyon Road to Madera Canyon. Follow the pavement 11.2 miles to Proctor Road (dirt road on the right), just past the combination Proctor parking area and fee station. If there are no cones set up channeling you into the parking area, you'll get in free. If not, you'll be redirected past the fee station for a donation. Follow Proctor Road and stay left whenever the road splits. The road will deteriorate into a cobbled jeep trail (FR 781) that ends at the trailhead.

Trail Log

0.0	Start down the trail. The jeep trail (FR 4074) will cross a wash and climb briefly. Watch for the gated trail on your right. See how long you can stay on your bike through the initial cobble field of a trail.
2.7	The singletrack ends at Forest Road 1073. Turn left and follow the road up the canyon. As it climbs it will degrade into a jeep trail.
4.5	Spring and gate. This is a good turnaround spot on a hot day. If you keep going make sure you have plenty of water. It's a long climb to the towers.
4.9	The Ridge Trail leaves the road on the right and will take you up and over the ridge to FR 183. It's easy to miss so keep an eye out.
5.7	The Ridge Trail joins FR 183. Head left and up the mountain.
8.5	TV tower time! You probably won't hang out here too long because the best riding weather down below usually means a cold wind up here. Hide behind a rock, snack, and get ready for the fun ride down!
11.3	Look for the singletrack Ridge Trail on the right. Climb up and over the saddle.
12.1	The Ridge Trail Ts into FR183. Turn left and rattle your way down. Watch your speed; there are plenty of blind corners with cacti, rocks, and trees waiting to snag you!
14.3	The Elephant Head Trail turns right off the jeep trail. This is an easy turn to miss if you're riding fast but you'll see it as you go by. For here on it's singletrack all the way. Hope you still have water left!
17.0	Mission accomplished! Take a rest, a drink, lots of snacks and drive out.

Notes

Take plenty of water! This trail is open and you'll probably use more than you expect. If you're planning to take the towers, pack some snacks - you'll need them.

Watch out for hikers and horses and yield the trail, smile, and wave. In most cases hikers will encourage you to pass. Don't take a chance with horses. They are unpredictable and don't seem to fancy 2-wheelers.

Leave gates the way you find them. We share open range with ranchers and they leave gates open and closed to make sure their stock have water.