AZ TRAIL - PISTOL HILL TO THREE BRIDGES
Level: Intermediate (3-B to 3-C)
Description: The Arizona Trail is an 800-mile trail that stretches from Utah to Mexico. The sections through Tucson are some of the most beatiful trails we have, and Pistol Hill to Three Bridges is one of our favorites.
Typically a North to South out-and-back of 24-miles or so starting from Pistol Hill parking, it is made up of gorgeous singletrack with rolling ups and downs, a few technical sections (easily walked if needed) and one significant climb halfway through the ride. If you don't want to go all the way to the bridges, a popular turnaround point is the top of the climb.
If you'd like to add another dozen or so miles, there is a gorgeous section heading north from the parking lot. After a 6-mile meandering descent to a large creek, turn around and climb back out. Due to the Saguaro National Monument the trail is closed past the creek.
You can also start at the south end at Three Bridges and work your way North. (See directions below).
Take plenty of water, but know there is water and restrooms available within Colossal Cave Park about 5 or six miles from the trailhead. You will occasionally see equestrians, so be polite and yield. There are some cattle trails and old ATV trails that break off so make sure to stay on the trail which is marked with brown AZTrail signs. Always close the gates along the trail, even if you find them open!
From the parking area (see below) ride back up the road about 20-yards and cross over the cattleguard to another open parking area. If you want to head 6-miles down to the creek, take go through the large gate on the the right side (west) of the road. If you want to head toward Three Bridges, hang a left (east) and you'll see the singletrack start there.
Directions to Pistol Hill Parking: Head East out of Tucson on 22nd Street, and hang a right on Old Spanish Trail just past Houghton. Follow this road for about 13 miles following the signs to Colossal Cave Park. About two-miles out from the Park, you'll come to the Pistol Hill intersection which will be dirt on your left and paved on your right. Hang a left onto the well-graded dirt road and follow this about 1.5-miles to the trailhead. You will cross a cattle-guard and see the parking on the right with a large wooden signboard. The trailhead is about 20-yards back up the road past the cattle guard. Google Map
Directions to Three Bridges Parking: Take Interstate 10 South out of Tucson and get off on exit 281. Hange a left and cross over the highway and once over, instead of merging back onto I-10, hang a RIGHT onto Benson Highway (also called Frontage or Marsh Station Rd). About 3.5 miles in, you'll swing into the large dirt parking lot on your left, before you cross a bridge over a creek. You'll see two train bridges above and to your left. (Hence the name Three Bridges!) Google Map. From the parking lot, ride your bike over the bridge and just on the other side, cross over the guard rail, go under the train bridges and catch the singletrack starting from there, just on the other side of a wire fence, here.
Gathering at the gate to head down to the creek.
Some of the most technical spots are on the South side of the major climb, toward Three Bridges. Still easily walked if needed.
The area around Colossal Cave Park is especially beautiful.
Use a GPS device? Here is a GPX file from Pistol Hill to Three Bridges. Because this ride is an out-and-back, this file and the elevation below are only one-way.
