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| | | Robles Pass TMP Trails, AZ | | | |
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Robles Pass TMP Trails, AZ
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| Hiking | 7.02 Miles |
710 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.02 Miles | 3 Hrs 33 Mns | | 2.30 mph |
| 710 ft AEG | 30 Mns Break | | | |
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none
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| no partners | | This one starts 4 blocks from my house. 
Back about 2009 or 2010, an area of land between Ajo Way and Irvington Road was added to Tucson Mountain Park. A network of trails was developed, used mainly by mountain bikers, that connects nicely with the existing trails to the north of Ajo (using culverts to pass under the busy road). I had been aware of this section (Robles Pass Trail Park) for some time, since I live close by, but my frequent drives along Irvington yielded no conclusive evidence of trailheads or parking spots, so I never went to check it out. My hiking friend Paul and I had talked about going there periodically, and we finally decided to go today.
I have lived here for 36 years, and back in the 1980's before Irvington was extended west of Mission Road this area was pretty undeveloped and a place the locals would go to do some four wheeling or target shooting. There are quite a few jeep/atv tracks back in there, and we afraid that the trails would involve a lot of hiking on these (something neither of us likes to do much). We were pleasantly surprised to see real trails!  They wind around to make it interesting for the bikers, and for the most part feature pretty mellow grades. Great views and wonderful cactus are a highlight. There are 13 interconnected trail segments here, totaling about 16 miles. We encountered several mountain bikers and a few neighborhood folks out for a morning walk on these enjoyable trails.
The day before our hike, I researched a bit online and found that one of the listed trailheads was on the north side of Irvington just north of Manzanita Park. So I drove over and parked in a lot on the northeast corner of the park, then walked to Irvington and saw crossing would a little tricky with a steep embankment to navigate. So I went back and checked the satellite view and found a culvert close by that would get you under the road with no problem. Perfect!
Once you exit the north side of the culvert under Irvington you walk to your right to a jeep road that will get you to the trailhead, which is marked by a cairn along the road that parallels the El Paso Natural Gas Pipeline (marked on my route). You can also park in here if you don't want to leave a vehicle in Manzanita Park and use the culvert. In this particular location we didn't find any signs, but we were happy to see them show up at virtually every intersection, once with got to where the Rocky 13 segment reaches the Camaro Loop.
It's nice to actually have a real neighborhood hike available that I can walk to from my front door if I choose!  |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Hardly any wildflowers noted, but the cactus bloom in there now is quite spectacular. |
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