Mid-Range Access Trail

The Mid-Range Access Trail is an ideal desert cutover route for four-wheel-drive vehicles and SxSs looking for a mix of fast-paced flats, scenic saguaros, and technical wash crossings. This 6.5-mile route serves as a gateway to more remote trails in the Arizona desert, offering a mild but engaging terrain with an elevation gain of less than 100 feet, peaking at around 1,440 feet. Along the route, drivers will encounter healthy stands of saguaro cacti, historic survey markers dating back to 1943, and opportunities for dispersed camping at offshoot campsites featuring established fire rings. Wildlife is abundant in this arid landscape, so keep an eye out for mule deer and tarantulas crossing the path. With a technical rating of 4, the trail is mostly easy but presents a few challenges, including a fun wash crossing near the beginning that offers both a straightforward line and a more difficult option that can easily get tires off the ground. Beyond this initial obstacle, drivers should expect typical desert terrain hazards such as deep washouts, short sandy sections, and uneven transitions through washes. While a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle or SxS is highly recommended to navigate these obstacles safely, standard vehicles may struggle in the deeper sand. Cellular service is highly spotty, with only a few bars of Verizon LTE available near the middle of the route and none along the low-lying valleys or outer edges, making offline navigation essential for a safe trip.