Solero & Bull Springs runs through the Coronado National Forest backcountry between Patagonia and the Santa Rita Mountains, crossing old ranch and mining ground that has seen use since the Spanish Jesuits worked silver here in the 1600s. The route climbs out of the Sonoita Creek drainage near Patagonia, works north through rolling foothills and washes, then grinds up over a shelf road cut into the lower Santa Ritas before dropping into Bull Springs country. It is a long day on the trail with a real mix of terrain, from easy two-track to a section of exposed shelf road that gets everyone's attention.
Trail Summary
- Location: Coronado National Forest, Santa Rita and Patagonia Mountains, Santa Cruz County, Arizona. Southern trailhead near Patagonia, AZ; route runs north toward the Bull Springs Road area.
- Distance: 28.4 miles (one-way, point to point)
- Difficulty: Level 3 - Best suited for a high clearance 4x4
- Minimum Elevation: 3,712 ft
- Maximum Elevation: 5,182 ft
- Elevation Gain: 4,092 ft
- Travel Time: 3 hours 46 minutes (recorded)
Difficulty
Best suited for a high clearance 4x4
Stock vehicles with high ground clearance, 4WD capability, and off-road tires are appropriate here. Expect a rock and undulated road surface with challenges under 12 inches, including ledges, drops, and a few water crossing spots. Careful tire placement is needed on the steeper, looser sections, particularly on the shelf road climb. The trail runs mostly one vehicle wide with turnouts to pass, and surfaces range from uneven rutted dirt to loose rock and sandy washes.
Elevation
The route starts low near Patagonia around 3,900 feet and works its way up through several climbs and descents before topping out at 5,182 feet along the shelf road section in the Santa Ritas. Total climbing adds up to 4,092 feet of gain against 4,232 feet of loss, with the low point of 3,712 feet coming late in the route as the trail drops toward Bull Springs. Net elevation change from start to finish is a modest loss of about 140 feet, but the profile in between is anything but flat.
Terrain
This is mountain shelf road and rocky two-track country. The southern half winds through rolling foothill terrain on dirt and rocky ranch roads, with washes and minor ruts to pick through. The middle section climbs steadily into the Santa Ritas on a narrow shelf road cut into the hillside, exposed on one side with good views and a real dropoff on the other. North of the pass the trail eases back into rolling two-track before working down toward Bull Springs Road. Expect loose rock, some sand, and a handful of short steep pitches throughout.
4WD Experience
A high clearance 4x4 with all-terrain or mud-terrain tires is the right tool for this trail. Low range comes in handy on the steeper pitches near the shelf road, and drivers should keep an eye on tire placement through the rockier washes. The shelf road itself is narrow with limited passing room, so it is worth watching for oncoming traffic and taking it slow through the tightest stretches. Ground clearance matters more than raw horsepower here; most of the obstacles are about picking a clean line rather than muscling through anything technical.
Travel Time
The recorded track shows 3 hours 46 minutes from start to finish, including stops. For a similar high-clearance 4WD run at a comfortable pace with a few photo and scouting stops, plan on 4 to 5 hours to cover the full 28.4 miles. Add time if running the trail with a group or towing a trailer for camping gear, since the shelf road section slows convoys down considerably.
Highlights
The shelf road climb through the Santa Ritas is the standout feature, with wide views back over the Patagonia Mountains and Sonoita Creek valley. Along the way the route passes old ranching and mining ground, including remnants tied to Spanish-era silver mining and later Apache and rancher history in the area. There are several spots for dispersed camping along the route, and the mix of oak woodland, grassland, and rocky canyon country gives a good sample of the Coronado National Forest's variety in a single run.
Trail GPS File
Map