Whipple Obervatory Rally

Trail Overview

Are you visiting family in Tucson and want to scratch that dirt road itch? Looking for a quick and easy adventure with sweeping views? Do you want to rally your family's crossover by taking the long way to the car wash? Buckle up, because this is the adventure for you!Mount Hopkins is home to the Whipple Observatory which is run by the University of Arizona and the Smithsonian Institution. It is open to the public by reservation though the road is gated beyond a certain point and yes there is a security presence on site.Beginning from the observatory picnic area at the lowest observatory site the road will transition to dirt nearly immediately. The road can be quite narrow in places including at the beginning of this route so please be cautious and think of other riders as you go through the blind corners on just over a single vehicle wide trail. In addition to recreationists there are also vehicles going up and down the road servicing the observatory's 7 telescopes and extensive operations.The views along this trail are incredible and become available nearly immediately and they only get better the further up you climb. There are 4 areas where the road cuts back and forth across a canyon as you climb. Closer to the top the dirt became finer grain, and a few of the corners were a little loose. There are a few small pull offs along the way to stop and take in the view. The road is strangely intermittently paved in places of varying maintenance but the last little bit at the top was paved recently.

Difficulty

Closer to the top the dirt became finer grain, and a few of the corners were a little loose. The road is strangely intermittently paved in places of varying maintenance but the last little bit at the top was paved recently.

Technical Rating