Segment 9 Description
Southern Arizona’s high, isolated mountain ranges stand high above the surrounding low landscapes and valleys of the Sonoran Desert. Segment 9 climbs over two of these ranges while also following long, low-relief drainage divides and the San Pedro Valley to the WWR’s southern terminus at the Mexico border. The high elevations above 5,000’ provide a cool, forested reprieve from the warm desert temperatures often experienced between 2,000 and 4,000’ elevation. Riding this segment between late May and early September is not advised due to temperatures that exceed 100 °F on most days. For southbound riders leaving Globe, a steep climb immediately leads to the near the top of the Pinal Mountains before descending to the Gila River and San Pedro River Valleys and the copper mining town of Winkelman. Then the route climbs again to reach moderate-elevation dirt roads that lead to Oracle, home of Biosphere 2. South of Oracle is the Control Road that ascends 5,000’ of steep dirt road to the top of Mount Lemmon, one of the magnificent Sky Islands, and the tiny community of Summerhaven. A long, paved descent delivers riders to the edge of the sprawling city of Tucson, and a much shorter climb out of town over Reddington Pass takes the route back to the San Pedro Valley. For riders wishing to skip Tucson and Mount Lemmon, a short alternate through San Manuel bypasses 7,000’ of climbing.
The southernmost 115 miles of the route follow the San Pedro Valley upstream to the Mexico border, first on dirt and gravel roads to Benson and then on a mix of 2-track, 4x4 road, old railroad grades, and short sections of pavement past abandoned ranches, ghost towns, and touristy Tombstone. The final miles of the segment are through the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area among wetlands, cottonwood trees, and if riders are lucky, a flowing San Pedro River. These last miles are on the San Pedro Trail, a non-motorized trail that may be overgrown in places in late summer and fall; a 4-mile-long out-and-back jaunt is required to reach the Mexico border. The Sierra Vista Extension offers riders a route to connect to Sierra Vista, the nearest city to the southern terminus of the WWR. In the desert of southern Arizona, water is very scarce in most months, but water sources are generally regularly spaced along this segment. Resupply options are also regularly spaced, and although private land is prevalent along this segment, camping options on public lands remain readily available in most areas.
IMPORTANT: An Arizona State Land Trust permit is required for this segment.
Segment length: 292 miles
Total climbing: 21,000 feet
Recommended number of days: 5-7
% Paved (approx.): 20%
% Dirt road (approx.): 60%
% 4x4 road/2-track (approx.): 20%
% Singletrack (approx.): 0%
% Rideable (approx.): 98+%
Average physical difficulty* (1-10): 6
Average technical difficulty** (1-10): 5
Bikepacking challenges: Limited water, summer heat, numerous relatively short sections impassible when wet, rattlesnakes more common on this segment than any other
Longest stretch between resupply (miles/days): 72 miles / ~1-2 days
Longest stretch between water sources (miles/days): 53 miles / ~1 day
Alternate route options:
Southern Arizona’s high, isolated mountain ranges stand high above the surrounding low landscapes and valleys of the Sonoran Desert. Segment 9 climbs over two of these ranges while also following long, low-relief drainage divides and the San Pedro Valley to the WWR’s southern terminus at the Mexico border. The high elevations above 5,000’ provide a cool, forested reprieve from the warm desert temperatures often experienced between 2,000 and 4,000’ elevation. Riding this segment between late May and early September is not advised due to temperatures that exceed 100 °F on most days. For southbound riders leaving Globe, a steep climb immediately leads to the near the top of the Pinal Mountains before descending to the Gila River and San Pedro River Valleys and the copper mining town of Winkelman. Then the route climbs again to reach moderate-elevation dirt roads that lead to Oracle, home of Biosphere 2. South of Oracle is the Control Road that ascends 5,000’ of steep dirt road to the top of Mount Lemmon, one of the magnificent Sky Islands, and the tiny community of Summerhaven. A long, paved descent delivers riders to the edge of the sprawling city of Tucson, and a much shorter climb out of town over Reddington Pass takes the route back to the San Pedro Valley. For riders wishing to skip Tucson and Mount Lemmon, a short alternate through San Manuel bypasses 7,000’ of climbing.
The southernmost 115 miles of the route follow the San Pedro Valley upstream to the Mexico border, first on dirt and gravel roads to Benson and then on a mix of 2-track, 4x4 road, old railroad grades, and short sections of pavement past abandoned ranches, ghost towns, and touristy Tombstone. The final miles of the segment are through the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area among wetlands, cottonwood trees, and if riders are lucky, a flowing San Pedro River. These last miles are on the San Pedro Trail, a non-motorized trail that may be overgrown in places in late summer and fall; a 4-mile-long out-and-back jaunt is required to reach the Mexico border. The Sierra Vista Extension offers riders a route to connect to Sierra Vista, the nearest city to the southern terminus of the WWR. In the desert of southern Arizona, water is very scarce in most months, but water sources are generally regularly spaced along this segment. Resupply options are also regularly spaced, and although private land is prevalent along this segment, camping options on public lands remain readily available in most areas.
IMPORTANT: An Arizona State Land Trust permit is required for this segment.
Segment length: 292 miles
Total climbing: 21,000 feet
Recommended number of days: 5-7
% Paved (approx.): 20%
% Dirt road (approx.): 60%
% 4x4 road/2-track (approx.): 20%
% Singletrack (approx.): 0%
% Rideable (approx.): 98+%
Average physical difficulty* (1-10): 6
Average technical difficulty** (1-10): 5
Bikepacking challenges: Limited water, summer heat, numerous relatively short sections impassible when wet, rattlesnakes more common on this segment than any other
Longest stretch between resupply (miles/days): 72 miles / ~1-2 days
Longest stretch between water sources (miles/days): 53 miles / ~1 day
Alternate route options:
- San Manuel Alternate: For riders looking to bypass climbing over Mount Lemmon and visiting Tucson, this alternate sticks to the San Pedro Valley and is 76 miles shorter with 7,000’ less climbing than the main route. The alternate is entirely smooth dirt and pavement. Food and water are available in the small copper mine town of San Manuel mid-way through the alternate.
- Sierra Vista Extension: This is a connection between the southern terminus of the WWR and Sierra Vista, the nearest city. All services, including two bike shops and shuttles to the Tucson airport, are available in Sierra Vista. This extension is 25 mostly paved miles with 700 feet of climbing virtually entirely flanked by private land. Camping options can be found 3-5 miles to the southwest off route at mile ~8 up Ramsey or Carr Canyon Roads (the latter includes a stout climb; water is available in Ramsey Canyon RV Park).
