Tucson Meet & Greets

Looks like we might need state land trust permits and definitely need an Empirita ranch permit for this. Looks like a sweet trail though.

 

Welcome! Definitely get out with us sometime!

 

I've been through there on gasline roads and along the gasline road that goes to empire ranch road. Some gnarly climbs on the way, and Swiss cheese hill(total wreck mine) is pretty cool. I think you guys will have a great run as long as you can still get in. The gate at Marsh Station rd going south from i10 got locked when they put in the fancy new onramp and offramp. You're just a little west of there to start out.

 

I haven’t hit empire ranch area yet but as far as I know there’s no permits required. There’s also Gardner canyon that only needs permits if you’re camping. There’s dozens of little trails branching off of 83.

 

I’m pretty down to go down south or hit reddington. Hopefully more dudes will chime in so we can make a decision!

 

Mushroom stamp cove!

 

I was out there a few weeks ago with my daughter. The old saw mill at the end of sawmill trail is cool as hell. That'd be a great camping spot for a large group.

 

Where is this?

 

It's off Gardner canyon road. You take Gardner canyon for several miles until you pass a dry "creek". It splits into 3 different roads. Take the one that goes north, then when it forks about a mile from there into two trails, take the left fork marked sawmill trail.
This is the old sawmill

This is the kind of scenery you get out there. It's absolutely beautiful. I have a new respect for the Santa Rita's after that trip.

A prerunner could handle most of that area no problem but I would not advise trying to get one back to the sawmill.

 

I’m way in for this tomorrow. Looks pretty perfect if you ask me

 

The best thing is that the sawmill is very isolated. I wouldn't expect to see other people out there, except right now cuz deer season, but even the hunters weren't out that far. Make sure you guys bring your big caliber protection if you go, just to be safe. The hill to the right was covered in rooting and I saw some not very old bear skat.

 

Sawmill run is a nice route. Might be a little different after the sawmill fire earlier this year.

There's a cave back there, but it's locked and you have to contact the FS in advance to get a key and permission to get in.

Totally beautiful areas anywhere around there - radio towers are a good stop as well.

 

Is there a link to the route online?

 

Couldn't tell ya. I went out there to take my daughter squirrel hunting but because of all the deer hunters we kinda just ended up exploring all day and we just found that place.

 

Gardner canyon is pretty easy to spot on 83. Has a sign pointing to it. It has a nice clear dirt area at the very beginning that we could stage at.

 

I could get there early so y’all know where to go, Im the only tacoma around here with a Star Wars hood decal so I’m pretty easy to spot

 

That would work perfect. I guess I’ll make that the official plan, sounds like a good time!

 

So tomorrow, meet at the Safeway on tv and Catalina highway around 9? From there we can just shoot down houghton to the highway. If we leave east side at 9:30 we should be down there by 10:15ish

 

Ah you mofos are coming to my side if town to play and I'll be stuck at work and even then my boy is still out of commission so I can't roll without him. for youfor me.