Tucson - Redington Road through Redington Pass to San Manual

Discussion in 'Renegade Tales & Trails' started by Charlie Ketchum, Jan 30, 2020.

  1. Charlie Ketchum

    Charlie Ketchum Member

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    Tucson, AZ
    My wife and I took a Renegade ride through Redington Pass just outside of Tucson. The total mileage of the trip was 59 miles with steep ascents and decents, shelf rock, deep ruts, mud, lots of deep water filled holes, gravel and sand washes. large chunk rocks, numerous water crossings (likely dry during the summer), very narrow sections and some that were wide enough for 10 Renegades side by side. There some smooth road just to throw you off your game. The area has a lot of dispersed camping as does most of the Coronado National Forest

    We left around 1pm and returned home at 5:30 pm. The total length of Redington Road through the mountains is 59 miles from Tucson to San Manual. From there you can catch Highway 77 and get back to Tucson.

    Alltrails.com says this is a very easy ride suitable for passenger cars but, that is a load of BS. If you don't have high clearance you are going to tear stuff up. I had several areas where one of the four wheels was off the ground and one water crossing that was a bit over two feet deep. This is a good starter trail for a beginner Jeep adventure. The Renegade is more that capable of handling this road and I only used four wheel low in one section, most of the run was done in four wheel lock.

    If you are in Tucson this is a close in trail that is worth going on. The scenery is beautiful but you won't be able to make good time unless you have a bigger Jeep than a Renegade. There is ample dispersed camping but if you have a camper van or RV you will want to camp near the start of the run just at the up into the mountains at the east end of E. Tanque Verde. The road then changes names to Redington Road and climbs abruptly into the Santa Catalinas. Up about a mile or mile and a half are some nice RV spots but you won't want to go much further up with anything other than a jeep with a roof tent or take a tent with you.

    The road is a pass between the Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains. It's a beautiful run through lowland desert into alpine desert and back again. It is also open range so be on the lookout for cattle. I will let the photos do the rest of my talking.

    The start of the ride

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    Recent rains have some of the Barrel Vactus and Ocotillo's blooming


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    About a mile outside of Tucson on Redington Road looking back toward Tucson

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    This ole girl didn't much like us on her road and faked a charge at us before wandering off

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    Dropping back into the valley headed for San Manual

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    Ancient Saguaro Cactus

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    wanderingtoes.home.blog
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2020
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  2. IDoMy0wnRacing

    IDoMy0wnRacing Well-Known Member

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    Looks like you had a great time. Thanks for posting pictures.
     
  3. Dgr401

    Dgr401 Well-Known Member

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    Great write-up and pictures. It sounds like you had a great trip. The 5th picture looks just like the Khyber Pass in Pakistan. Thanks for posting.
     
  4. Mrsig

    Mrsig Active Member

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    Bushnell, FL
    Photos are great but need to have more Jeep in them.
     
  5. Charlie Ketchum

    Charlie Ketchum Member

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    Yep, you are right. My wife took photos while I drove. What can I say?
     
  6. Dgr401

    Dgr401 Well-Known Member

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    Tell her the pictures are nice! :)
     
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  7. djthumper

    djthumper Member

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    Nice pics!
     
  8. Charlie Ketchum

    Charlie Ketchum Member

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    Location:
    Tucson, AZ
    Thanks, it was a great drive.
     

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