Intermediate Overnighter to Ironwood

Get ready for an overnight bikepacking adventure through Ironwood Forest National Monument on the Ironwood Loop! The route covers approximately 48 miles with 1,600 feet of elevation gain. While those numbers may seem manageable, sandy sections, rocky terrain, and chunky gravel make this a challenging and rewarding ride with some long days in the saddle.

This ride is considered intermediate level and is not recommended as a first-time bikepacking trip. Riders should be comfortable navigating rocky and sandy terrain and be prepared to carry most of their own water and all of their food for the trip.

The route consists primarily of gravel roads, with several rough and sandy sections. Tires measuring at least 50mm are recommended, although wider tires can make the sandy sections easier to navigate and provide a more comfortable ride over the rough terrain.

The group will ride approximately 22 miles on the first day before setting up camp near the gate. The campsite is located near Cocoraque Butte, known by its O'odham name, Shontok. The nearby petroglyph site is approximately one mile from camp and can be accessed by bike and on foot.

Riders should plan to carry approximately 4–6 liters of water per day. There are several cow troughs along the route that can be filtered, located around miles 6, 9, 10, 12, and 40. There is also a potential water cache location around mile 30 at the Ironwood National Monument Trailhead. There will be no water available at the campsite.

This is a self-supported ride, and there are currently no plans for a sag wagon or support vehicle. Riders who do not plan to filter water or utilize the water cache should be prepared to carry enough water for the duration of the trip.

For additional information about the route and what to expect, visit the Ironwood Overnighter route guide.

Everyone who registers for the ride will be contacted beforehand to help ensure they are adequately prepared for the terrain, distance, water requirements, and overall demands of the trip.

We will be parking our cars and meeting at the start of the route at the Titan II Missile interpretive site (The beginning and end of the route). We will be rolling at 9am.