The West Silverbells

This area has literally miles upon miles of single track and jeep roads. You can find any type of ride that interests you. It is fairly close to Tucson, much cooler, has beautiful scenery, is well marked (mostly), some can hike while others ride, has caves, lots of history, just about everything.

The ride that is featured here is one that brings into play most of the single track in the area, uses very little of the jeep roads, passes through Kentucky Camp (an old mining town that is being restored), will let you experience many different riding levels (you can walk parts if you want - I do), and can take as long as you wish because it is an out and back.

Please do not think this is the only ride in the area. Far from it, just one to get you started.

DIRECTIONS: From I-10 and the Sonoita (83) turn, head South until you get almost to Sonoita and go Right (West) on the Gardner Canyon turn off. Take your first Right (Y in the road) and stay on that road until you get to the large parking area on your left (a couple of miles). Good maps posted in this area. Ride up (Left - West) the forest service road for a couple of miles to a gate on you left at the top of the ridge. Turn Left and head down to Kentucky Camp

The area is well signed

Most of the jeep roads look like this

A group at Kentucky Camp with the resident "guide"

A restored building at Kentucky Camp which will eventually be a rental

There are some wonderful ranches in the area

The entrance to Onyx Cave is difficult to find

Tony and Jerry inside a side chamber of Onyx Cave

A miner using an electric machine to pan for gold

Profile of the single track

This map shows only the SINGLE TRACK. There are a million forest service roads in the area that you can link to.