Route Editor
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Ends in the middle of nowhere. Mmm..nowhere by fricknaley Overview: Nice new single track taking off from near Alamo Springs up onto the ridgeline. Ends in nowhere! History: Another great new trail in the Tortolita Mountains Hike: A simple new trail to add into the growing network of trails in the Tortolitas. The western trailhead for this takes off at a signed junction a short ways up the Alamo Springs trail as it leaves Alamo Springs itself. Bear left onto the signed Ridgeline trail and start a series of relatively gradual switchbacks that take you up onto the ridgeline of the southern end of Wild Burro Canyon. The trail sweeps around once up top affording very nice views north over the Tortolitas and also south, where excellent views of the big Pusch Ridge peaks await. As you swing along the ridge, the trail also offers you nice views into the next canyon south (Canyon Pass)..which is partly developed. The trail currently ends at an unsigned junction with the Loop Connector Trail, which is still under construction. This trail ((Loop Connector) will ultimately connect with Wild Burro Spring and the new trail heading back to the Wild Mustang trail from there (which itself shortly thereafter feeds back to Alamo Springs thus completing a big loop). A stake in ground with Marana Parks and Rec sticker currently marks this spot, which also sits at a small saddle with nice views. This trail is open for mountain bikes, ideal for trail running and piecing together nice long hikes in the Tortolita Mountains. The shortest route to the western trailhead is to hike the Wild Burro trail from the Ritz trailhead to Alamo Springs, which is about 2.7 miles. Check out the Official Route and Triplogs. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
One-Way Notice This hike is listed as One-Way. When hiking several trails on a single "hike", log it with a generic name that describes the hike. Then link the trails traveled, check out the example. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Most recent Triplog Reviews
Tortolita Ridgeline Trail
We had planned on doing Kimball/Window via Finger Rock, but the cold temps had us looking at the last minute for something a little lower in elevation, so JJ & I introduced Mountain Rat to the Tortolita Superloop. Started just after 8, and moved through it fairly quickly. All the trails are super easy to follow with the exception of the old, unnamed trail you take on the superloop to connect the end of Cochie Canyon to the dropdown onto Wild Mustang. It was a little overgrown in spots, and involves that short, steep ascent over the ridge.
Today I was wearing leather boots, and during the our time in that particular section, the glue gave way with the sole on my right boot and I had a flopper. It came loose from the toe all the way to the arch on my right foot. Thankfully it was easily remedied with some good ole duct tape...few swipes around and it was fine the rest of the day. Once we were done with that section and was onto Wild Mustang, the left boot did the same...giving way from toe to the ball of my left foot. Little more duct tape, here we come.
This was the first time I've done the whole loop in nearly 2 years; when I was on it last, there was still trail construction going on around the Wild Burro spur and the Ridgeline, and on that particular day I needed to take a detour route. Today I re-recorded the track and will update the trip description to note the final route.
Up on the Ridgeline (my favorite section), we took in views from Mt. Wrightson, Baboquivari & Kitt Peak in the south to Four Peaks in the north, beautiful.
Was great getting to know Mountain Rat, enjoyed your company today! And as always, JJ too.
Today I was wearing leather boots, and during the our time in that particular section, the glue gave way with the sole on my right boot and I had a flopper. It came loose from the toe all the way to the arch on my right foot. Thankfully it was easily remedied with some good ole duct tape...few swipes around and it was fine the rest of the day. Once we were done with that section and was onto Wild Mustang, the left boot did the same...giving way from toe to the ball of my left foot. Little more duct tape, here we come.
This was the first time I've done the whole loop in nearly 2 years; when I was on it last, there was still trail construction going on around the Wild Burro spur and the Ridgeline, and on that particular day I needed to take a detour route. Today I re-recorded the track and will update the trip description to note the final route.
Up on the Ridgeline (my favorite section), we took in views from Mt. Wrightson, Baboquivari & Kitt Peak in the south to Four Peaks in the north, beautiful.
Was great getting to know Mountain Rat, enjoyed your company today! And as always, JJ too.
2015-12-30 azdesertfather
Tortolita Ridgeline Trail
I met up with JJ and Dave at the Wild Burro TH just a bit after 8:00 and we commenced to burning up the trail. Early on, we had just enough sunshine to keep us from freezing, but well before the half way mark we had a pretty comfortable balance of sun and shade that lasted the rest of the hike. This one covers quite a lot of ground and though the elevation gain seems kind of low, you pick it up quickly in just a few spots, so it’s not easy gain. This was a tough little trot in an area that I intend to further explore.
Thanks to Dave and JJ for guiding this one. I had no track loaded, so had no clue what to do or where to go. Till next time…
Thanks to Dave and JJ for guiding this one. I had no track loaded, so had no clue what to do or where to go. Till next time…
2015-12-30 Mountain_Rat
Tortolita Ridgeline Trail
This lasso loop hike came onto my radar about a year ago. It looked interesting and it was relatively close to Phoenix. The weather looked pleasant for late April and I talked to Kyle and Claire and they were down. Wet met at Ray Rd and the I-10 and the drive down took took a little over an hour.
This hike starts from the Ritz Carlton parking lot. The Trailhead has nice bathrooms and they provide a map with excellent details of the hikes in the area. The trail starts by dropping you into a wash. Soon after we hit a junction and went to the northwest as we started our lasso loop. These trails are in excellent condition and are easy to follow. There were a few people on the early portion around the resort. They didn't wander too far away.
We made steady progress and we took a short break by the windmill at the five mile mark. From there we connected onto the unofficial trail. The route is generally easy to follow but it really helped having a GPS. Mostly for the beginning and a few short stretches as we climbed to the ridgeline and then dropped down the east side where we connected back on official trail.
Once back on trail we made quick time as we headed for the homestead. We passed the grave marker along the way and soon after Claire spotted a bobcat on the trail ahead of us. I caught a quick glimpse of it as it ran away. We continued on and took our lunch at the homestead where there were a couple of tanks for water. It looked green but filterable. The real issue were all the wasps flying around. We didn't explore the homestead much. There is a large rock corral to the northeast. It looks like that is where you want to pick up the trail. Instead we followed a use trail two-tenths of a mile to connect back onto trail.
Next up was the Ridgeline trail and this is the best portion of the hike. The trail is in excellent condition and the views of the Catalinas and Mount Lemmon are breathtaking! We made quick time and connected onto a few different trails. The rest of the hike blurred by and before long we were all done and back to the jeep.
The Tortolitas have some nice hiking. It's a large range with a lot of trails in very good condition. It reminded us a lot of South Mountain without the people. Give this area a try if you're looking for some nice trails that aren't too far from the major cities.
This hike starts from the Ritz Carlton parking lot. The Trailhead has nice bathrooms and they provide a map with excellent details of the hikes in the area. The trail starts by dropping you into a wash. Soon after we hit a junction and went to the northwest as we started our lasso loop. These trails are in excellent condition and are easy to follow. There were a few people on the early portion around the resort. They didn't wander too far away.
We made steady progress and we took a short break by the windmill at the five mile mark. From there we connected onto the unofficial trail. The route is generally easy to follow but it really helped having a GPS. Mostly for the beginning and a few short stretches as we climbed to the ridgeline and then dropped down the east side where we connected back on official trail.
Once back on trail we made quick time as we headed for the homestead. We passed the grave marker along the way and soon after Claire spotted a bobcat on the trail ahead of us. I caught a quick glimpse of it as it ran away. We continued on and took our lunch at the homestead where there were a couple of tanks for water. It looked green but filterable. The real issue were all the wasps flying around. We didn't explore the homestead much. There is a large rock corral to the northeast. It looks like that is where you want to pick up the trail. Instead we followed a use trail two-tenths of a mile to connect back onto trail.
Next up was the Ridgeline trail and this is the best portion of the hike. The trail is in excellent condition and the views of the Catalinas and Mount Lemmon are breathtaking! We made quick time and connected onto a few different trails. The rest of the hike blurred by and before long we were all done and back to the jeep.
The Tortolitas have some nice hiking. It's a large range with a lot of trails in very good condition. It reminded us a lot of South Mountain without the people. Give this area a try if you're looking for some nice trails that aren't too far from the major cities.
2015-04-25 John9L
Tortolita Ridgeline Trail
9L's been wanting to do this... mostly for all the unique trail links to add to his ranking. I'm sure my list is wrong. I'll fix it after he posts-- he won't miss a single one 
It was nice to do a new area but there's really nothing too interesting going on down here. The Tortolita Ridgeline Trail was definitely the highlight-- some great views of Lemmon and Wrightson. There was a good bit of commentary that most of the day was very similar to hiking South Mountain except the trails here are immaculate. It was a beautiful day and an enjoyable hike but I don't see myself visiting these trails again. Good flower show right now.
A+ for nicest bathrooms at any trailhead anywhere
It was nice to do a new area but there's really nothing too interesting going on down here. The Tortolita Ridgeline Trail was definitely the highlight-- some great views of Lemmon and Wrightson. There was a good bit of commentary that most of the day was very similar to hiking South Mountain except the trails here are immaculate. It was a beautiful day and an enjoyable hike but I don't see myself visiting these trails again. Good flower show right now.
A+ for nicest bathrooms at any trailhead anywhere
2015-04-25 Tough_Boots
Tortolita Ridgeline Trail
started off pretty good but the wheels came off the last 3 miles...blah 
ridgeline is a wonderful trail to run. definitely my new favorite out there. ran wild burro all the way out to the spring and came back on the loop connector and ridgeline. missed the official beginning of the loop connector and climbed up the old alignment. gotta fix that next time.
fast jenny kicked my butt today!
ridgeline is a wonderful trail to run. definitely my new favorite out there. ran wild burro all the way out to the spring and came back on the loop connector and ridgeline. missed the official beginning of the loop connector and climbed up the old alignment. gotta fix that next time.
fast jenny kicked my butt today!
2014-07-26 fricknaley
Tortolita Ridgeline Trail
Started out today to see if I could find a route for a superloop around the biggest swath of the Tortolitas as I could and hit some or all of every trail out there ... mission accomplished 
The unofficial trail from the top of Cochie Spring to the top of Wild Mustang was a little uncertain at first but quickly proved very doable. Loved taking in the Torts from so many angles today. Especially loved the Cochie and Ridgeline segments of this loop! Take the time to do some looking around when you go to Wild Burro Tank, there is a lot more out there than you might realize.
May re-do the official route I posted later, once the construction finishes on the Wild Burro Loop Trail portion, as I think that will put the first 1/4 mile to 1/2 mile after Wild Burro Tank on a much more defined trail.
Started about 9am, out just after 4pm.
The unofficial trail from the top of Cochie Spring to the top of Wild Mustang was a little uncertain at first but quickly proved very doable. Loved taking in the Torts from so many angles today. Especially loved the Cochie and Ridgeline segments of this loop! Take the time to do some looking around when you go to Wild Burro Tank, there is a lot more out there than you might realize.
May re-do the official route I posted later, once the construction finishes on the Wild Burro Loop Trail portion, as I think that will put the first 1/4 mile to 1/2 mile after Wild Burro Tank on a much more defined trail.
Started about 9am, out just after 4pm.
2014-02-08 azdesertfather
Tortolita Ridgeline Trail
great hike out to investigate the new Tortolita Ridgeline Trail which is now complete..and awesome! probably about half of the new Loop Connector trail is done too. when finished it should link up to Wild Burro Spring. really nice trail network developing out here.
my Dad joined me, which is always a treat but the show was stole by a special guest hiker today...my Mom
my Dad joined me, which is always a treat but the show was stole by a special guest hiker today...my Mom
2013-11-03 fricknaley
