Connecting GDMBR and AZT

[ScottM]

This is somewhat of a FAQ for me, and it's a route connection that needs to be made.  Often divide riders are trying to use the Tucson of Phoenix airport and looking for a good route. Or maybe the fun just continues on some version of the AZT.

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience connecting the two, or AZ locals -- any thoughts on the routing or adding dirt in places?

I've attached two different options.  A north and south route.  Cyan is the GDMBR, and green is a friendly version of the AZT.

South: Staying south and going along the border is probably preferred, however, I believe that public access is completely closed through the Animas Mountains (e.g. San Luis Pass) so it's pretty much a no-go and requires going as far north as Animas (the town).  So this route does exactly that, then pretty much follows the border to Montezuma Pass and (bonus!) the actual start of the AZT.

North route: this includes some good 'divide style' passes, namely Onion Pass in the Chiricahuas and MiddleMarch Canyon in the Dragoons.  Unfortunately there's a fair bit of pavement outside of these two spectacular mountain ranges.  But there generally shouldn't be much traffic, either.  The current route joins the AZT at Sonoita, where the trail also gets more reasonable (less hike-a-bike).  Or HWY 83 works as a route into Tucson.

Not sure what to call this connection, either.  Creative name ideas encouraged!

[Wandering by Bicycle]

A few years back I rode from Sierra Vista to Antelope Wells, before heading south to the Barrancas del Cobre ( Adios Estados Unidos, Hola Chihuahua Mexico ). From Sierra Vista I followed pavement for awhile, then took an old railroad bed to Douglas. From there I followed the Geronimo Trail to Cloverdale Road, which you seem to use as well.

At the Cloverdale Road intersection I turned right and followed Cloverdale Road to St. Louis Pass Road, a major road to the left and possibly unsigned, but there are signs at the intersection for Diamond A Ranch and No Trespassing / Locked Gates Ahead. On St. Louis Pass Road I rode through two locked gates ( I just lifted the bike over) and over a cattle grate with two wagon wheels. At road fork after the cattle grate / wagon wheels I turned left and followed the road to the third locked gate and the intersection with the main paved road to Antelope Wells. I made a right and it was about 4 miles to the border.

I was told by border patrol that it was fine to ride through St. Louis Pass Road, and they even unlocked and opened one of the gates for me.

[ScottM]

Interesting.  Seems some checking on the far southern pass, through the Animas Mountains, is in order.  That is sure the more direct and aesthetically pleasing route.  If the route is closed to motorized traffic, that just makes for empty roads!

Ixtle - explain the origin?

Thanks.

[ScottM]

Default, non-creative name would be something like "Divide2AZT"  or  "G2AZT" or  "G2A"

[AZTtripper]

Could this be the time for the Sonoran Dog? If you run a lower part of the loop as per Wonderings suggestion it might look more dog like on the map. Though on the actual map of the route it is in both the Chihuahuan desert and the Sonoran.

Also for those ever hungry Divide riders http://ediblebajaarizona.com/tucson-designated-unesco-world-city-of-gastronomy

[mathieu]

This is a page from the book The Mountains of New Mexico by Robert Julyan. It says that the San Luis Pass between Cloverdale and Antelope Wells is presently (i.e. 2006) closed to the public. It is on private property, part of former Gray Ranch owned by the Hearst family. See http://radztravels.blogspot.nl/2010_10_01_archive.html . It is so remote that hikers and bikers can probably sneak through.