Charouleau Gap Scott has been dreaming of a new bikepacking route here in southern Arizona. This trail is for 4 wheeling ATV's and high terrain vehicles. Charouleau Gap Road is a hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, off-highway drives, road biking, trail running, walking adventure located in or near Coronado National Forest, AZ. Awesome trail and it is not closed it’s been open for a few weeks. It is tough physically and technically (the downhill portion near the top has the potential for serious injury – it is very steep and also covered with … Come prepared, it’s a hard one. Thoroughly enjoyed this trail for the first time ever last week, in my LR3. This was the most challenging trail we’ve ever been on! Bring the right gear and plenty of water. Completely crazy ridiculous stuff! Last Known Status. Ground clearance was never an issue, but still need to practice caution and common sense. Choosing a good line is key along with having a solid spotter. Jan 2, 2014 - Starts in Catalina, Tucson, AZ, 6 miles one way to the Town of Oracle and back again, round trip is 12-13 miles. Great trail. Could get a little muddy when wet but otherwise lots of good traction and wheel lifting. Good luck! Charouleau Gap Road: Oracle to Saddlebrook is a 29.0 kilometer lightly trafficked point-to-point trail located near Oracle, Arizona that offers scenic views and is rated as difficult. A number of primitive roads branch off the Charouleau Gap Road and offer excellent ATV and trail bike riding. lots of parking at the main entrance for trailers and good places to stop and have lunch. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Charouleau Gap trail is known to be one of the best trails in the state. If you had 35” tires you can have less skill. It comes out in Catalina in some quiet neighborhoods then you can take oracle roughly 30 miles back to Tucson. It is very overgrown and rocky, so if you care about your paint, wouldn’t recommend it. A number of primitive roads branch off the Charouleau Gap Road and offer excellent ATV and trail bike riding. Charouleau Gap Road is a 18.0 mile trail through Coronado National Forest. Went in 5miles and got to much for our stock 18’ Jeep Wrangler JLU. My 4runner made it all the way. Crosses the Santa Catalina Mountain range … I hiked it by foot, 1-1-2014 for several miles one way and back. Working on the Edge. Good off-road trail! Difficulty: Difficult. Charouleau Gap road is a rough 4x4 road going from the east side of Catalina, AZ over part of the Catalina Mountains and down in to Oracle. Dogs and horses are also able to use this … Wonderful place to visit and check out. You can wear tennis shoes, no problem. In addition, the road provides access to two Coronado National Forest trails for hikers and horseback riders, the Samaniego Ridge … We have done this a few times. Took a Jeep Wrangler JK (3 1/2 inch lift on 35s) and we still had a few challenges. Most fun trail I’ve done yet. This is one of the more difficult trails near Tucson, and as such requires a modicum of planning. The spiked nails pictured were found in the area of Edwin Road and Charouleau Gap Trail. In Oracle I parked at the Callas Drive Gap Road Parking and walked up the road. Want to definitely come back and do it again. It makes Charleau Gap feel like a walk in the park. Went as far as the Charouleau Gap sign at Kissing rock and turned back, lots of atvs and Jeeps out. It can be accessed by foot, bicycle, and horse. (Vehicles must stay on roads.) By: Mark Griese- September 2002 Charouleau Gap. Man this trail is no joke when do it with a bike, starts off good on both sides but u's extremely difficult When go thru the rock wash you will know when you get their. Took this trail for the first time last week. . The trail is primarily used for ohv/off road driving and is accessible year-round. Its most intimidating obstacle, "The Step", is optional, but you'll find many more impressive spots that aren't. to many steep rocky inclines for me on my bike. Estimated time is 6.5 to 8.5 hours depending on how many and how often you take breaks. This scenic route is for 4-wheel drive vehicles only. Expect to have 2 wheels off the ground a lot and open Diff might be an issue for anyone without EBD. Charouleau Gap is a fun Jeep trail through the Catalina mountains, but it is long and remote with a rating of 3.5. Lots of great obstacles, bring a spotter! The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. We didn’t make it all the way. We did it on our dual sport bikes but it is much easier on a dirt bike. While doing an out-and-back is fun, the experience factor is significantly multiplied by returning via Cherry Tank (about 2/3 of the way up, a FR crosses the Charouleau Gap road - a turn to the South will hook up to Cherry Tank). I am planning to lead a weekend trip to run Charouleau Gap next month, so I am taking a poll to gauge interest for the last three weekends in April 2020 (before it gets too hot). Charouleau Gap Road: Saddlebrook to Oracle is a 29.0 kilometer moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Tucson, Arizona that offers scenic views and is rated as difficult. Welcome!! AZGFD says hikers, horseback riders, and off-highway vehicles should be careful, if in the area. Great Trail it is definitely considered hard hopefully you'll have a lifted Jeep except alot of pin striping. 4X4 is a must for this trail. 4WD Challenging; Experienced Driver; 19 miles, 5-7 hours; Rock, Ruts, and Stream Crossings . Enjoy & research Coronado National Forest, Arizona with trail guides, topo maps, photos, reviews & GPS routes on Trails.com. 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. The trail is maintained by the Tucson Rough Riders. Looking forward to going again. In addition, the road provides access to two Coronado National Forest trails for hikers and horseback riders, the Samaniego Ridge … Follow this road, bearing left at a private property sign, through the river bed and up Samaniego Ridge to Charouleau Gap. (Vehicles must stay on roads.) Start in Catalina and go through the Gap. Rock sliders are very highly recommend especially in the river and rocky portions. I was up at 4:30 AM, making some coffee and catching a shower before rolling Robert out of bed at 5:00. Location: Northeast of Tucson, south of Oracle and east of Catalina. Charleau Gap, Coronado National Forest, Santa Catalina Mountains, Samaniego Ridge, Santa Catalina Ranger District. Discover trails like Charouleau Gap Road Arizona, find information like trail length, elevation, difficulty, activities, and nearby businesses. When Canada Del Oro Wash is flowing, the experience is epic. Lots if springs some out of the way but you definitely have to go thru some but it was a great time but I don't think a bike is a good idea... Pinal Pioneer Parkway: Oracle Junction to Florence, Arizona Trail: American Flag Ranch Segment, Charouleau Gap Road: Saddlebrook to Oracle, Windmill, Powerline and Kanally Wash Trail Loop, Marble Peak via Oracle Ridge Trail [CLOSED], Middle Gate, Cherry Tank and Upper 50 Year/Deer Camp Loop, Double Crested/Dome Trail [PRIVATE PROPERTY], Charouleau Gap Road: Oracle to Saddlebrook. This ride can be done as a 12 mile out and back starting from the Charleau Gap parking area on Lago del Oro and riding up to the Gap (or further if you wish, but the gap is a good turn around point) You can also use the Charleau Gap Rd downhill as a finish to a ride starting at Golder Ranch, coming up through 50 year, and across on Cherry Tank to Charleau. We normally start in saddlebroke and drive to oracle and back. Charouleau Gap. Although I have gone the whole route, I find it to be too rough to go all the way on a KLR. CHAROULEAU GAP Connecting a French Family with Its Tucson History by Bob Simpson Looking flank of up the from Catalina my patio Mountains in SaddleBrooke, north of Tucson, on the I observed western flank of the Catalina Mountains north of Tucson, I observed an eerie, unsettling sight - tiny twin points of light slowly descend- ... Road was a bit of a buzz kill after riding the CDO. It’s definitely a hard trail and you need a lifted vehicle with locker or two to make it through some spots. Mine entrance near the end of the road up Oracle Hill. Charouleau Gap Road is a 17.9 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Tucson, Arizona that features a river and is rated as difficult. Off-Road Tucson – Charouleau Gap Run with GPS 4 Wheeling, ... Charouleau Gap is an advanced trail with multiple types of obstacles. My Jeepin' buddy from California, Robert Yates, had pulled into Phoenix late the previous night and crashed in our spare bedroom. Not sure if a awd or 2wd would make it on this trail, we passed 2 jeeps with lifts and tires that had broken down along our journey. Very long trail as well, this trail will be best started early morning, plan on an all day adventure pretty much! Gas up at the Circle K in Oracle and make your way back through the gap. This is a moderately challenging 4x4 trail that stretches about 19 miles from N. Lago Del Oro Parkway all the way to Oracle. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. And if you’re not familiar with the area yet, then let us break it down for you. Great trail, not for beginners or trucks that are not very 4x4 capable with at least rear lockers. Watch Queue Queue Only one part we couldn’t make it up was a giant rock crawl, but we took an alternate route to the left (climbed up the flat rocks). Charouleau Gap. Wanted to run my '17 JK through the paces and this trail proved my JK is capable. - Welcome to the Tucson Off-Road Forum - - Forum Rules - - How Did You Hear About Us? You will spend the good part of a day on the trip. Watch Queue Queue. The Charouleau Gap is one of the best 4WD trips in the Catalinas, but it doesn't make too bad of a horseback ride, mountain bike ride or shuttle hike either. 33” tires with 3 inches of lift should do on any truck. I would describe the trail as somewhere between moderate and difficult, requiring at least 33 tires. A tribute video I made for the gap, a local trail in Tucson, AZ that was DESTROYED by the USFS in the name of ROAD MAINTENANCE. The Charouleau Gap - Memories Remain on Vimeo Join If you want a trail that is a lot harder go try Sutherland trail. Def a good trail but don’t just take any off road vehicle on this trail. Bing Maps has a collection of great trails with directions to trail heads as well as photos. When going toward the parking on Golder Ranch Road turn North (which would be left at this point) … Pinal Pioneer Parkway: Oracle Junction to Florence, Golder Ranch, 50 Year Trail, and Middlegate Loop, Sutherland, Trail Link, and Nature Trail Loop, Middle Gate, Cherry Tank and Upper 50 Year/Deer Camp Loop, Double Crested/Dome Trail [PRIVATE PROPERTY], Dripping Springs Loop from Catalina State Park Back Entrance, Charouleau Gap Road: Saddlebrook to Oracle. A must drive for any serious four-wheeler. Open. Other Names. You will need a capable 4x4 with rear lockers and low range gears at the least. Charouleau Gap Trail is easy to find for anyone who has ridden in the Golder Ranch area. Charouleau Gap Trail (11/24/2000) It was the day after Thanksgiving. Had an absolute blast. The full trail is as advertised at 18 miles. Charouleau Gap. This video is unavailable. Customer Service. Without lockers, you will get stuck. A number of primitive roads branch off the Charouleau Gap Road and offer excellent ATV and trail bike riding. Just hiked out and back today. Charouleau Gap Road Work Feb 12, 2010 Feb 12, 2010; The US Forest Service is repairing the four-wheel drive road to Charouleau Gap. I’d recommend full body armor for your undercarriage. Turned around headed back to the beginning of I would have had more clearance and better tires could have made it. Not a hard hiking trail, make sure to take water because even in winter you can get really hot. We went back out to Charouleaus Gap yesterday to see what condition the road was in after the big storms that flooded the area hit last weekend. Charouleau Gap We’re not sure how often this trail is used, and it mainly double-track used by the local Off-Roading enthusiasts. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. No Reviews. But kind of far I guess. At the FR4487 and FR736 (which makes a rough 4WD journey across Charouleau Gap down to the west side of the mountain) junction I continue on FR4487 and take the small road that winds up the slopes of Oracle Hill. Inertiaman (Apr 23, 2020 at 9:53) This "road" is useful to make loops that connect to the 50 Year … The road up and over Samaniego Ridge is rough, rocky and requires good ground clearance as well as excellent traction. This trail will challenge you from beginning to end. Awesome elevation change from low washes to high desert to 5,000+ feet with a lake hidden in the mountains. Charouleau Gap Trailhead - Santa Catalina Mountains - Southern Arizona Google Map Coordinates: 32.52049900 -110.88492200 At This Trailhead: Access to FR736 Charouleau Gap Road We made it with no lockers, but would recommend it for ease. - Tucson Off Road - TOR Club Forum - Bylaws - - Members Only - - Membership Roster - - Club Meeting Information - - General TOR Information - Member Info - … One of the most popular hard-core runs in the state. + 1. When route searching, the conversation usually goes like this on ... Max eloquently commented on what section of the road... "This is one of the steepest roads I have ever been on." Great on a dirtbike. The trail is primarily used for ohv/off road driving and is accessible year-round. The Arizona Game & Fish Department has asked for the public's help to find the person who purposely planted 53 roofing nails from the Canada Del Oro Wash from Edwin Road to Charouleau Gap Road. Great trail for a day ride. Charouleau Gap Road [CLOSED] is a 11.6 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Oracle, Arizona that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as difficult. Charouleau Gap is a 14 km moderately popular doubletrack trail located near Tucson Arizona. (Vehicles must stay on roads.) Plan on a full day of fun so bring lunch and plenty of water. Description: Fun, challenging and scenic. In addition, the road provides access to two Coronado National Forest trails for hikers and horseback riders, the Samaniego Ridge … This is the full 18 mi Charouleau Gap that takes you from Saddlebrook to Oracle. In short, BIG changes. But overall an amazing trail and I would recommend it to anyone who has clearance and sway arm disconnects. 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