Gordon to Molino
Length: 2.4 miles (one-way)
Elevation Gain: -684 ft
Overview
This ride makes a flowy descent along the Arizona Trail through high desert oak scrub.
Ride Options
Two-Vehicle, One-Way Ride: Bikers can ride this portion of the Arizona Trail as a downhill, one-way trip (2.4 miles), staging a second car at Molino Basin Trailhead. If you’re completing multiple runs, or have one vehicle, please see below, and be ready to account for the extra mileage for your return trip.
One-Vehicle, Out-and-Back: If you only have one car, you will either need to complete an out-and-back on the Arizona Trail (4.8 miles) or bike up Catalina Highway (4.3 miles) to return to your vehicle at Gordon Hirabayashi Campground.
Directions to Gordon Hirabayshi Trailhead (Start)
From the front parking lot of Palisades Visitor Center, turn right heading down Catalina Highway. Continue approximately 12.5 miles and look for a turnoff on the righthand side for Gordon Hirabayashi Campground. Parking for the trailhead is available just past the camp host site on the left side of the campground road.
Directions to Molino Basin Trailhead (End)
From Palisades Visitor Center, turn right out of the parking lot, heading down Catalina Highway. Continue approximately 14.6 miles to Molino Basin campground, which will be on your right on a sharp bend. The trailhead parking is on the left and right sides of the campground road right after you turn off the highway.
Ride Description
Starting from the trailhead at Gordon Hirabayashi Campground, climb a short access trail to junction with the Arizona Trail (AZT). Take a left onto the AZT. The trail will continue to climb to a small saddle, where you’ll get your first look down valley toward Molino Basin. From here, the ride is net downhill, with a few steep pushes as the trail flows in and out of the drainage. There is no canopy, which makes for a non-shaded experience, but also allows for wide open views the entire ride.
The trail contours down the valley past manzanita, scrub oak, sotol and yucca. In Spring and Fall the trail will be lined with wildflowers and cactus blooms.
About halfway through your ride, the trail enters Molino Basin Campground area. There will be several side trails to your left. Stay right, following the AZT. Near the end of your ride, the trail will cross the campground road. Take a right onto this road a short distance to the parking lot. At the parking lot, you’ll find restrooms and a bike maintenance stand.
Safety
This trail is also open to equestrians and hikers, please use caution and be courteous to other users you are likely to meet on the trail.
If you only have one vehicle or plan to bike back up Catalina Highway for multiple runs, please use caution. This road has narrow berms and blind turns.
The mileage and elevation profile for this ride is one-way. Please make arrangements to get back to your vehicle, or be prepared for the climb back to your car.
Be sure to visit the Know Before You Go page for additional safety information.
