Part of the Honeybee Canyon/Rail X Ranch system of trails. Great beginner to intermediate trail. 7.9 total miles of rolling singletrack through beautiful desert and rocky foothills of the Tortolita Mountains. Many miles of single and doubletrack trails offshoot from this loop.
From the Honeybee Canyon Trail take the singletrack that splits to the north approximately .7 miles after you cross over the powerline road. After almost two miles of riding north you will come to a dirt road called Edwin Road. Take this road to the west. You can either take Edwin Road about 2.5 miles to the windmill or turn off after approximately 1.5. This turn will take you to a singletrack trail that crosses over the road. Take the singletrack east to head back to Honeybee or west to go to the windmill. At the windmill you will start back east to honeybee. After you pass the windmill there are two options. Stay on main trail for a mix of singletrack and doubletrack. Take fork on left for a singletrack trail. Both meet up further down the trail. The singletrack on left isn't marked as well and can be hard to follow but is much more fun. After just over two miles the trail meets up with a doubletrack trail. Stay to the left. In less than a mile you will come to a fork in the doubletrack. Stay left to loop back to Honeybee Canyon loop. Turn right for an out and back to another windmill.
Access issues have closed the trailhead off Rancho Vistoso Blvd. Do NOT use the powerline/WAPA road to access this area any more until the access issues are resolved. You have a couple of options to ride these trails. You can still drive or ride up Edwin Road from near Saddlebrook on Oracle Road where the Rail X Ranch sign is. Or you can park at the old juvenile justice facility just south of MP 85 on Oracle Road and north of the wildlife bridge. Parking area is on the east side. From there, ride north, cross at the light on Wilds Road and ride up the highway to the entrance to the Vista de la Montana United Methodist Church. Ride down the paved road and look for the obvious two-track near the telephone poles for the trail., New directional signs should be in place. Or you can also park at the big shopping center at Golder Ranch Road, cross at the light there and ride south on Oracle Road to the church entryway. DO NOT PARK ON THE CHURCH ROAD. We have access to state lands thanks to the church, but will lose that privilege if we don't abide by their wishes--no parking on their land, do not litter or defecate, do not ask to use the bathrooms at the church or fill your water bottles, and be courteous.
| ThankFantastic trail. Rode it counter clockwise and was disappointed to finish. Don't let the advance rating scare you. Mostly flat ride with just enough climbs &'rocks to keep it enjoyable. Plenty of sandy washes and all the flora have pointy things that hurt.
| ThankI rode this yesterday and it superb. Did a total of about 15 miles and a big loop up from the Quiet Rain trailhead (small parking area there) up to Edwin tank and back around. This is one of the most fun trails I have been on and way better than Fantasy Island or 50-Year (although missing the chutes). Perfect before-Christmas ride, no people and very sweet terrain. It is not an advanced trail. More easy.
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