Trails of Whoa
By Robert Gibson
The idiom “you can’t see the forest for the trees” is acutely relevant on this trail. You are fully enveloped in the forest and the frequency with which the trail features arrive demands your full attention. What makes it such a great ride is also what makes it a great hike. There are plenty of blind corners that pitch downward right after the apex. You won’t see hikers until you are almost on top of them, so always be mindful of your speed, expect numerous hikers and pets, announce your presence, yield the right-of-way and above all, be a courteous ambassador for the sport.
One of the literal and metaphorical crown jewels of Mt. Lemmon in the Santa Catalina mountains Northeast of Tucson, is a shady, alpine romp named Aspen Draw. This is one of many semi-disparate trails near the summit, elevation 9,171 feet. People can ride the trail on its own or interconnect it for longer escapades. The serpentine, forest-
canopied descent begins just to the right of the top of the ski lift area and drops one thousand feet in 1.75 miles.
The top section has a handful of hairpin switchbacks preceded by rolling sections where you’ll quickly generate a lot of speed. Matter of fact, the entire trail is fast–like biker scout through the forests of Endor fast. While it’s not the most technical trail on Mt. Lemmon (looking at you, Green Mountain), Aspen Draw's ability to spin you up to escape velocity coupled with some steep drops and numerous rooty sections that litter its length, is what gives it its delectable flavor. It finishes at a gate where the dirt turns to asphalt and leads into the mountaintop town of Summerhaven.
Pro Tip:
It’s best to get to the trail earlier in the day if you want to avoid the crowds.