LA MILAGROSA
Level: Advanced (3-C to 3-D)
Description: A wonderful, beautiful, technical, dangerous ride in the Santa Catalina Mountains. Steep climbs, sharp descents, 1-3 foot drops, plenty of rocks, all single track, beautiful - beautiful - beautiful. This is a technical riders dream and a place for the rest of us to exercise caution. Sweeping views of the Tucson valley coupled with some of the most challenging riding in the area make this an excellent 3-4 hour ride for the "adverturesome." Strap on your armor and have a ball.
For an even longer epic experience, many start with Bug Springs and Molino Basin trails first, and then tie in to the Molino AZTrail to Milagrosa.
The climb up the AZTrail to the saddle is very steep and only rideable by the very best. Without exercising caution the descent to West Spring in Ballota could end with an "endo" in many spots. Once you have picked up the Milagrosa Trail (the trail itself may be easier riding than crossing the saddle) you may want to stop often to take in the views, they are wonderful.
Cross the saddle and head down to West Tank in Bellota. After reaching the tank go left up the hill and then down to a gate. About 1/4-mile past the gate you'll come to a "Y" with jeep road heading left and a singletrack heading right. Take the right fork and you're on Milagrosa!
Directions: There are a few different ways of starting this ride, but shuttling from Agua Caliente park is by far the most popluar. If you wish to ride up Mt Lemmon Highway, add 6-miles of steady, punishing road climbing.
So, park at Agua Caliente Springs (Google Map) and hang a right on North Soldier Trail. It swings left and connects to Catalina Highway heading up Mt. Lemmon. Six miles up you'll come to a Fee Booth ($5) and about a mile-past that, Molino Parking will be on your left. The AZTrail over the saddle is just on the right side of the road.
One of our great sponsors, Southwest Trekking, offers a shuttle service for those interested. You need to have at least six riders, and the cost is usually around $15/person. Contact John at SWTrekking and tell him you found this on the SDMB site. They can drop you off anywhere you want on the mountain, and can even pick you up to take you to other trails if needed. Shuttling, you can do Aspen Draw, Green Mountain, Bug Springs, Prison Camp, AZTrail-Molino Basin trail and La Milagrosa for a technical-lovers dream day-ride. Be aware this combo ride is brutal and not for the faint-of-heart.
Toward the bottom, the trail will turn into a jeep road and you'll come to a fork. Take the left fork down to the wash (Google Map), cross the wash, and hang a right on the singletrack, which will dump you out on Milagrosa Lane. Stay straight on Snyder, take a left on Soldier Trail, then down to your car at Agua Caliente Springs, exhausted but happy.
Brian on Milagrosa's first fun surprise!
The views are spectacular. Just don't take your eyes off the trail while riding.
The lower section is a bit tricky, too.
