Saguaro National Park

Starting in Casa Grande, the route passes through the cotton fields of Coolidge before heading south on SR 79 (Pinal Parkway) which is designated as a scenic highway. Just before Tucson in Oro Valley we turn west and take Tangerine. On the west side of Tucson, we climb up and over Gates Pass (the easy way) and into Saguaro National Park. The route returns north again through the agricultural town of Marana and passes in the shadow of Picacho Peak before returning to Casa Grande.

Terrain: Flat for the first 30 miles through Casa Grande and Coolidge, then a slight, steady but very long climb on Pinal Parkway (SR79). Once you get off Pinal Parkway, (mile 68) it’s a long downhill into Tucson. The only other obstacle is the steep climb up Gates Pass and the screaming descent on the other side. There are a few choppy hills through Saguaro National Park. The last 60 miles are flat and travel through the fields of Marana, past Picacho Peak, and finally back to Casa Grande.

Total ~4300 feet of climbing.