Casa Grande Ruins

This route is composed of two sections; both sections begin and end in Casa Grande. The first section is a loop that travels north through the Gila River Indian Community with a checkpoint at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. The second section is out and back and goes south through the Sonoran Desert on the Tohono O’odham reservation.

First loop: The route travels north out of Casa Grande and onto SR 387 which is the Gila River Indian Community. This is the only climb on on the ride. (SR 387 has a 3 mile climb, 6% grade) These mountains provide a sanctuary for saguaro and other cactus, making SR 387 one of the prettiest roads around Casa Grande.

At the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, write down on your brevet card the answer to the question posed on the cue sheet.

This 40-mile loop ends where it begins – at the Round Trip Bike Shop in Casa Grande. You will have access to your car to shed some clothes and pick up supplies.

Second loop: The second section is out and back on Indian 15. It travels south out of Casa Grande and into the Tohono O’odham Indian reservation. This area is mostly undeveloped and composed of rolling hills dotted with sahuaro cactus. The terrain is flat with a few long, rollers. (Total 1,480 feet of accumulated elevation. See elevation profile.)

This second loop in particular is very remote. The only services you will find are our checkpoints. Checkpoints are about 40 miles apart. A hydration system such as CamelBak is highly recommended.