Scenic Drives
Charouleau Gap
This scenic route is for 4-wheel drive vehicles only. The road up and
over Samaniego Ridge is rough and rocky and requires good ground
clearance as well as excellent traction. People who don’t have that type
of vehicle have made this trip on foot, on horseback, pedaled it on
mountain bikes and ridden it on dirt bikes or ATV’s. No matter
how you manage to get here, you’ll be impressed by the views,
the interesting rock formations in the high country, and the desert
oasis at the end of the drive.
Before you get to the gap and after you pass over it, the views are
broad and expansive. The country you’ll pass through is mostly rolling,
grassy hills covered with Upper Sonoran, open oak woodland vegetation.
That includes some cactus, more yucca and still more oaks and juniper,
with a few ponderosas scattered among more sheltered locations. After
passing through Charouleau Gap, the road drops into the upper reaches
of beautiful Cañada Del Oro. This canyon is home to the same ephemeral
stream you crossed at the beginning of your climb, several miles and
one huge U-turn downstream of where you’ve ended up. In contrast
to the broad, sandy riverbed in which you started, these upper stretches
of the cañada are filled with big cottonwoods and sycamores
and extensive mesquite groves, or bosques.
A number of primitive roads branch off the Charouleau Gap Road and
offer excellent ATV and trail bike riding. (Vehicles must stay
on roads.) In
addition, the road provides access to two Coronado National Forest
trails for hikers and horseback riders, the Samaniego Ridge Trail
#7 and the
Cañada Del Oro Trail #4.
Attractions:
Picturesque rock formations
Desert setting
Watchable wildlife
Good views
Hiking trails
Location: North of Tucson and east of the town of Catalina.
Access: Drive north from Tucson on AZ 89 (the Oracle Road) about
23 miles to Golder Ranch Road. (This intersection is marked
by a traffic light).
Turn east about 1 mile to Lago del Oro Road, then north on
Lago del Oro about 2 miles to a dirt road (FR 736) that turns east
toward the riverbed.
Follow this road, bearing left at a private property sign,
through the river bed and up Samaniego Ridge to Charouleau Gap.
Mileage/Driving Time: 40 miles round trip from Tucson. 5 hours
driving time.
Season: Year-round, weather permitting.
Elevation: 3,000'-5,400'
Road Conditions: Rough and rugged. This
drive requires a 4-wheel drive vehicle with good ground
clearance. Vehicles must stay on designated roads.
For further information, contact: Santa
Catalina Ranger District. |
