4WD Challenging; Experienced Driver; 19 miles, 5-7 hours; Rock, Ruts, and Stream Crossings . Biking Charouleau Gap Trail: Be Prepared for Serious Mountain Cycling. (Vehicles must stay on roads.) May 2018. This is one of the more difficult trails near Tucson, and as such requires a modicum of planning. The main staging area has a kiosk with information and a sign-in box. These items are not expensive, but they just might save your day. (Includes AZ trails information for ATV and motorcycle use) Home > Arizona > Charouleau Gap > Trail Map : Charouleau Gap: Tucson, AZ Click icons to locate. Posted by: Team2002. Charouleau Gap trail is known to be one of the best trails in the state. Charouleau Gap - Arizona. Discussion in 'Arizona' started by Wysper, Jun 15, 2009. This trail will challenge you from beginning to end. This is a good view of the start of the main route. The terrain consists of rocky creek bed washes, deep ruts, some steep climbs, a few seasonal shallow water crossings plus some great desert scenery but there is not much in the way of actual motorcycle or ATV trails. Even if nothing happens to you or your vehicle, you might come across someone who needs help. One of the most popular hard-core runs in the state. Other Names: If you’re ready for a next adventure and want to plan it right, check out some of these trail guides – Arizona has so many awesome destinations to explore! Jun 15, 2009 at 2:14 AM #1 #1. Current trail map and GPS points for OHV riding and camping at Charouleau Gap in Arizona. A.E. Charleau Gap, Coronado National Forest, Santa Catalina Mountains, Samaniego Ridge, Santa Catalina Ranger District. Call (520) 749-8700. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Go 2.1 miles to Maplewood Street on the right. Be sure to sign in at the gate and bring plenty of water because this is a very large area. One water crossing is deep during rainy periods. It allows me to offer contents of this website free of charge to everyone. This trail is maintained by the Tucson Rough Riders Club through a cooperative agreement with the Forest Service, so be sure to say thanks for the road work, maintenance and installation of signage. 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. Guide to Arizona Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails 3 rd Edition. N 32° 31.004 W 110° 48.714. Friday, October 9, 2020. A must drive for any serious four-wheeler. At the access road, sign in at the kiosk and you are on your way. Charouleau Gap FR736 Read More ... Arizona. For serious four-wheelers only. Another thing you should definitely do before you leave is to save Joe’s number in your cellphone in case you find yourself in need of recovery in the middle of nowhere. One of the best hard-core trails in Arizona when water flows. You can get one today for $ Charouleau Gap is an advanced trail with multiple types of obstacles. The Charouleau Gap area is accessible. Charouleau Gap. Looking back up at Mount Lemmon from Samaniego Peak – a long climb back up! Charouleau Gap, Arizona February 9, 2008 We had a great turn out! Allow 5 to 7 hours plus travel time. Free trail maps, driving directions, regulations, fees and camping information for Charouleau Gap in Arizona. Prepare for body damage! The terrain consists of rocky creek bed washes, deep ruts, some steep climbs, a few seasonal shallow water crossings and some desert scenery but there … First of all, to bike through Charouleau Gap Trail, cyclists must have at least intermediate biking skills and hiking abilities. The Catalina Mountains were covered with snow. Our trip Leader was John Shotts. A number of primitive roads branch off the Charouleau Gap Road and offer excellent ATV and trail bike riding. - eight trucks total. Charouleau Gap Trailhead - Santa Catalina Mountains - Southern Arizona Google Map Coordinates: 32.52049900 -110.88492200 At This Trailhead: Access to FR736 Charouleau Gap Road Route-finding is difficult at the end. A road crew works on demolishing protruding granite on the US Forest Service road that goes to Charouleau Gap on the north side of the Santa Catalina Mountains. This can be a full day trip for 4x4s, or a couple of hours for dirt bikes and ATVs. Lockers or winch recommended. Get yourself and your rig ready for the trip: Make sure both you and your vehicle are ready for your next adventure. Access is obtained by taking Golder Ranch Road east in Catalina then going north on Lago del Oro Parkway. zuksofarizona. Just north of Tucson, Arizona, this trail meanders through the lower elevations of 9100 foot Mount Lemmon, offering excellent views of the Sonoran Desert and sheer granite cliffs. … Short of always having your full-on Bug-Out-Bag with you, you should at least have some basic emergency items. Looking down from Samaniego Peak with Saddle Brooke, the Charouleau Gap Road, Golder Ranch area trails, the Cordones and the Biosphere all in frame. JeepTheUSA.com rates the trails a 3.0 up to 4.0 and they’re spot on. Stay on Hwy 77 all the way to Oracle. Time & Distance: Less than 20 miles but almost all must be driven slowly. Take Lago del Oro past Edwin road (~1.5 mi) to the new Arizona Game and Fish access road. Taking the roads less traveled.⁠ #ZuksOfArizona . Charouleau Gap is a fun and scenic Jeep trail through the Catalina mountains, but it is long and remote with a rating of 3.5. @mikebtte is having the hardest time finding the e. Let's stretch. 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- When Canada Del Oro Wash is flowing, the experience is epic. If you're heading north on Lago Del Oro you'll pass Miraval and the trailhead is just a bit further up. We say this because to get through Charouleau and this Tucson, Arizona biking trail, you will likely need to get off of your bike from time to time. Araiza/Arizona Daily Star The Arizona Strip in northwestern Arizona is the least inhabited area of the state, but you can roll through scenic canyonlands to relish landscape seen by few. Main Staging Area Water Crossing Vallero Get yourself and your rig ready for the trip: Make sure both you and your vehicle are ready for your next adventure. View Charouleau Gap in a larger map for even more DETAILS!. It might seem obvious to some, but you should get yourself a tool box with appropriate tools and leather gloves, good first aid kit, fire extinguisher, set of jumper cables, emergency blankets (stored in heavy plastic bag – both are useful), flashlight, tow strap and some extra water. Tucson, Arizona, October 22-25 Type of Run: Camping RV/Trailer, sorry no tent camping Run Leader: Barry Blackwood Rated 3+ Open to experienced drivers only. Trail is very long and remote. The southern loop has it’s boulders and tough spots, but the north east section is where the trail goes into a full on rock crawling trail. Allow additional time if you’re traveling with a large group. Description: Fun, challenging and scenic. Charouleau Gap. This multi-use trail can be used both directions and has a moderate overall physical rating with a 1,074 ft black diamond climb. The trail is maintained by the Tucson Rough Riders. Directions to the Trail: Head north on Hwy 77 from Tucson. Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail. Father Kino, who established many of the missions throughout Arizona and California named the mountains Catalina, after St. Catherine in 1697. If you're heading north on Lago Del Oro you'll pass Miraval and the trailhead is just a bit further up. 12S E 517666 N 3597729. Go with a group and be prepared for surprises. All non-residents must purchase an Arizona OHV decal. Before you venture out on your offroading trip you need to make sure you are prepared for emergencies. Charouleau Gap is a 9 mile moderately popular doubletrack trail located near Tucson Arizona. Trail Map. Quick Description: A 4WD road takes you to Charouleau Gap at the northern part of the Santa Catalina Mountains of Southern Arizona. Famille Charouleau, French pioneers traveled west to this area in the late 19th century, giving the pronounced "gap" along the Samaniego Ridge its name. Estimated time is 6.5 to 8.5 hours depending on how many and how often you take breaks. Charouleau Gap. From the trailhead sign/logbook, start heading northeast and the trail is largely easily followed throughout. Extreme articulation needed for deep washouts and gullies. May 2018. Climb several steep hills with loose rock. As an Amazon Associate I earn commission from qualifying purchases. You will spend all day on the trip. A Guide to the Geology of Catalina State Park and the Western Santa Catalina Mountains. Turn right on American Avenue just past mile marker 100. Trail Conditions: Coronado N.F., Santa Catalina Ranger District. Charouleau Gap We’re not sure how often this trail is used, and it mainly double-track used by the local Off-Roading enthusiasts. If you go to Saddlebrook you have gone too far. Samaniego Ridge and Peak take their name from Mariano G. Samaniego. No Reviews. This is a moderately challenging 4x4 trail that stretches about 19 miles from N. Lago Del Oro Parkway all the way to Oracle. The Charouleau's Gap trailhead is located just east off of Lago Del Oro. Pack a lunch and as always carry more water than you need. One rock obstacle called “The Step” often requires assistance. Joined: Jun 3, 2009 Member: #17971 Messages: 12 Gender: Male Tucson, Arizona Vehicle: 04 4x4 TRD 3" block lift, on 33's. If you have not done this trail it is a must off-road trail in Southern Arizona. 1999 Tag us! The Charouleau's Gap trailhead is located just east off of Lago Del Oro. !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src='https://weatherwidget.io/js/widget.min.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,'script','weatherwidget-io-js'); Remember: trail conditions, fire restrictions, weather, and land ownership change constantly so everyone must take responsibility for themselves, both for their safety and complying with all laws. We've got a new shirt! The trail can be done in either direction - we have a slight preference to start in Saddlebrooke and end in Oracle. Basic Information ... Bezy, J.V., 2002, A Guide to the Geology of Catalina State Park and the Western Santa Catalina Mountains. in Named Mountain Gaps. 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 … I would also suggest a recovery strap, a military folding shovel, heavy duty garbage bags, and a hand crank self powered weather radio. All the pictures from Charouleau Gap can be found here. © 2020 AZoffroading.com - Arizona off-roaders' website. Wysper [OP] Member. The Middle of Nowhere. In addition, the road provides access to two Coronado National Forest trails for hikers and horseback riders, the Samaniego Ridge … Vehicle Types Defined . Trail #67 Vehicle Types. In Southern Arizona, Charouleau Gap lies just north of Tucson on the foothills below Mount Lemmon with nearly 20 miles of trail stretching to Oracle. Post Reply. The water was running like through the washes from the 8.58" of rain just a few days earlier. Must have all required JustRuns equipment and a well maintained vehicle. From the trailhead sign/logbook, start heading northeast and the trail is largely easily followed throughout. (AZ trails and MX tracks) Home > Arizona > Charouleau Gap : Charouleau Gap. We had snow, slush, ice, mud, deep and fast running water in the CDO Wash. Charouleau Gap, (pronounced shar-lou) is the quintessential southern Arizona 4x4 trail and a must do for anyone with a modified off-road vehicle. The trail starts to get rough quickly as it heads toward the mountains. required for persons under 18 by state law, no actual motorcycle trails, is really a 4x4 trail, (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments), Coronado National Forest - Santa Catalina Ranger District. Please understand that means YOU. Joe is the owner of Arizona 4×4 Off Road Recovery and has become a real hero to many in the Arizona offroad community. Location Tucson, AZ Rating Difficult, Length 18.7mi Time 7hrs Guide. Crosses the Santa Catalina Mountain range in the Coronado National Forest. Oracle WEATHER Charouleau Gap comes into view Normally, I would have just stayed at the sub-par site and just dealt with it. Aggressive drivers may break parts. Arizona 4x4 Suzuki Club | Est. Overview. Jeep JK Tailgate Tire Carrier by Rugged Ridge, Jeep JK Front & Rear Driveshaft by Adams Driveshaft, Jeep JK Stainless Steel Extended Brake Lines, Jeep JK Security Tailgate Enclosure by Tuffy, Jeep JK tailgate MOLLE panel & fold-down table, Jeep JK A/C Blend Door Actuator Replacement, Jeep JK multi-function switch replacement, Jeep JK 3.6L V6 thermostat housing replacement, Jeep JK Steering and Suspension Torque Specs, Moonlight Trail / San Tan Trail hiking loop, RedRock 4×4 Fastback Soft Top – Black Diamond, TeraFlex JK/JKU Heavy-Duty Forged Adjustable Front Track Bar. Charouleau Gap. His number is (602) 697-8306. @zuksofarizona #ZuksOfArizona. Location: Arizona, United States. Its most intimidating obstacle, "The Step", is optional, but you'll find many more impressive spots that aren't. No stock vehicles. All Rights Reserved. Charouleau Gap 4x4 trails stretches about 20 miles from N. Lago Del Oro Parkway up to Oracle. 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