Red Ridge Trail is a trail that descends off the north side of Mt. Lemmon from Ski Valley Road down to Charoleau Gap Road. TORCA has put in a massive effort in recent years to get this trail back up and running. Following the Bighorn Fire, the lower portion of this trail that follows the CDO Wash was obliterated. To improve sustainability and avoid a miles-long slog through a sandy, often water-filled wash, the lower portion of Red Ridge Trail will be rerouted out of the wash and along the western slopes of the CDO Valley.
As of 2024, the Arizona Trail Association (ATA) has rerouted the upper portion of Passage 12 along Oracle Ridge Trail to avoid proximity to an active mine. The alignment was moved to Red Ridge Trail and descends to Catalina Camp before ascending back to Oracle Ridge Trail before descending to the town of Oracle. TORCA looks forward to our collaboration with the ATA maintaining the shared upper portion of Red Ridge Trail.
