Today's ride had come highly recommended by several people. However, conditions could be an issue due to snow at elevation, and the fact it requires either a shuttle or hellish road climb could also be a problem. I tried posting on a Tucson forum to see if anyone was interested in joining a shuttle. No one bit (might have something to do with the AZT Jamboree scheduled the day before), but one person did say this is the perfect time of year for this ride.
On the advice of a local at the BBQ we would try a shuttle tactic I used to use at home - hitch hike! Although, not knowing what time we would finish, I decided to drop Kreechan and the bikes off first, drive back to the bottom and hitch a ride up. I was assured there would be lots of traffic and getting a lift would be no problem. Sure enough, the first car with bikes on it offered me a ride up the hill.
Our ride would start at with Bug Springs Trail, connect into Molina (commonly called Prison Camp), and then head over a pass on the Arizona Trail before turning off onto La Milagrosa.
As to comments about butt shots, sorry but there will inevitably be some more. I know some of you are gagging to see some butt shots of Robo but the prude bailed out on us the day before. Just refer to past TRs, I am sure there are some posted somewhere...
There are trails higher on Mt Lemmon but they are snowed in this time of year. Fall sounds like the best time for a full descent, temps are cooler but the snow has not yet fallen.
As it turned out there was snow on Bugs, being on the north slope
What was rideable soon turned into steep HAB.
Viewpoint on the trail
Patches were rideable. Then we got to the stream crossings
Some were deeper than others
The snow was moist enough you could ride if you could carry momentum
We do some more HAB
View at the top = definitely worth the effort
A steep, fun chute
Yes the trail goes up the rock
Worthy backdrop
Hoodoos
Kreechan descends with nice view behind
After the ridge it is pretty much all down hill to the highway
Pretty fast, with the odd switchback and rock section to keep you honest
Approaching a small stream crossing
Fun drop nears for Kreechan
Smooth switchback
At the bottom we cross the highway and continue onto Molina (Prison Camp) trail
A bit of climbing at first leads to a fun descent
Crossing the highway again we must climb over a saddle on the Arizona trail to get to La Milagrosa. A bit is rideable, much is not. Even Robo would not be able to ride it, nothing to see here except Kreechan post-bail
Is that the top?
Since Robo left his Mojo, I decided to take it rather than mine. Of course the hideous white Flows had to go, as well as the useless nevegals.
After the saddle there is an awesome technical descent
Lots of drops, rock, chutes and switchbacks to keep anyone happy
The turnoff to Milagrosa is unmarked, fortunately I had good directions. This is the opening roll on the trail. Neither of us were quite ready and gave this a pass.
Kreechan enters the rock garden of doom.
Ruh roh....
Yes, landing on a pointy rock hurts
Descending among cacti
Still on what I would consider the rock garden of doom. Don't lose your flow here!
Final switchback
You had to get your front up on this rock to make it.
More descent
A fun rock roll
Taking the high line
Finally at bottom, into the wash
Ok, not done - a bit of climbing now
The start of this section was tough
Late afternoon light
Watch out for these bad boys at the side of the trail!
These can hurt you too
Kreechan rolls a techy rock drop
Pick a line, any line
We were done just in time to catch the sunset. It was very romantic
Even the moon was out. Would have been a good day for a night ride!
Epic sunset pano.
La Milagrosa is a great trail. More technical than Noble, but there isn't much huge stuff that will kill you, you just have to commit. It reminded me a little of Los pinos as it followed an undulating ridge for a ways, and had all the fun rock that the end of LP has. And definitely more interesting flora. Another one to come back to again!
