January 5, 2017 - Baby Jesus Trail - North of Catalina State Park

This is a loop hike at the base of the Catalina Mountains that is very scenic and passes some very interesting rock formations and vegetation. It climbs and loops around through 180 degrees, crossing two major washes and several minor ones before meeting up with the main Baby Jesus trail. That trail leads back to the trailhead, in a fairly direct line, closing the loop. It has a climb of 1024 feet (Peter's notes).

Directions

Take I-10 east to exit 240, Tangerine Road, and turn left. Follow this to the end and turn left onto Oracle Road. Go 3.9 miles to Golder Ranch Road and turn right. Follow this road through a stop sign and over a bridge to where the pavement stops. Just past this point there is a cattle guard. Go over that and immediately turn left onto North Equestrian Road. There is a parking area here  that is used for a staging area for mountain bikers. Follow north on North Equestrian Road for .5 miles to a corral on your right. Turn right here and go around the north end of the corral. (Cars can park here and hitch a ride in the back of a pickup.)  Continue on a rough jeep road suitable only for high clearance vehicles to a parking area.  69 mi.  Home about 3:30

Coordinates: 32ۤ°28’54.34”N  110°53’12.05”W  69 Miles from Casa Grande