January 13, 2023 50 Year Trail - E Golder Ranch Drive and Casa Grande Mountain

This was a beautiful hike in the Catalina Mountains. The long and the medium hikers hiked together starting on the North Equestrian Trail. Keeping to the left, the group hiked the trail that leads to the Chutes Connector trail where they turned right. The group followed the Chutes Connector trail for a short time until turning right onto the 50-year connector trail, then taking a sharp left onto the 50-Year trail. Agava, Saguaro cactus and Ocotillo are abundant on this trail, as it winds up into the boulders. 50-Year Trail turns into the Chutes trail, and keeping to the right, the group turned onto the Upper 50-year trail. The view of the Catalina mountains is spectacular. Hikers can view Lemmon Mountain from certain spots on the trail. Both groups turned left to a connecting trail that leads to Gem trail and found a spot for lunch amongst the boulders. 

The medium group hiked back for an out-and-back hike. 6 miles. 

The long group continued on Gem Trail, then turned a sharp left onto Chutes Trail. They followed Chutes trail until they went straight to 50 year trail. This trail leads back to the N. Equestrian Trail to the trailhead.  7.5 miles for the long hike. 

Jerry's Photos for Long and Medium hikers

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/50-year-trail-e0ec453

The 50-Year Trail is in an area near the Catalina State Park at the base of Samaniego Mtn in the Santa Catalina Mountain Range near Mt Lemmon. It is an equestrian and busy mountain bike trail. A moderately challenging zigzagging route up and down the arroyos (steep-sided gullies). Eventually, we will come to some rocks to sit and have lunch. Approximately 6 miles out and back for the medium group. The long group will take a  path with more distance back to the parking lot. 

Directions: From Palm Creek, we turn left on Henness then left on Florence then right onto I10 towards Tucson. We travel 53 miles and take exit 240 for Tangerine Rd. At the end of the offramp turn left onto W Tangerine Rd. We travel 14 miles then use the two left lanes for Highway 77 N Oracle Rd. Then we drive 4 miles to E Golder Ranch Dr. Google Maps - 50 Year Hike (disregard E. Equestrian Trail - Restricted area)  

The Valero Gas Station is a good place to stop for a restroom. We then continue on E Golder Ranch Dr. for about a mile until the road turns to dirt at some mailboxes, then turn right for the parking area. 

Trailhead and bathroom addresses:

• The bathroom stop just before the trailhead is the Valero gas station at the corner of East Golder Ranch Drive, address: 15240 N Oracle Rd Tucson, Az. 
• The coordinates for the trailhead at the end of Golder Ranch Drive are: lat 32.47473 lon -110.89192

Remember, if a hike must be canceled, you will receive an email by 6 a.m. and you can go back to bed! For questions, call John Robichaud at 207-446-0650