1/25/2026, 52.5 mi., 5:39 hr: min, 3226 ft. vertical
For the final three days of the trip, we took our bikepacking gear out for a ride. After parking the truck in long-term parking at the airport, we headed up to Sonita. We rode the busy Valencia Drive on an acceptably wide shoulder. From there, we connected to the Tucson Loop Bike Path. As a side note, the loop has 137 miles of paved, car-free pathways (link). The bike path got us most of the way to Valencia, where we connected to Old Sonita Highway. This section had new pavement and no traffic. Unfortunately, after ~6 miles, it tees into Highway 83. For the next 12 miles, it was slow going with grades up to 9% and no shoulder at all for miles at a time. Finally, we made a left into the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, got water at the Empire Ranch Visitor Center, and started looking for a place to camp. The Cieneguita Campground was full of campers, and the dirt road beyond it was mostly full. We asked one of the campers where we could camp, and he said it was dispersed camping, so anywhere. Great, I replied, “How about that clear spot close to your camp. ” Oh he replied, I was afraid you would ask, you probably want something more secluded. There is a much better site about 1/4 mile down the road on the left by a big tree.
So we continued on as the sun went down over the mountains. The site he recommended was taken. The next spot had a decaying cow closeby. The next site was too muddy due to the recent rain. The next spot had a no camping sign. We ended up settling for a marginally acceptable spot that was flat, not too muddy, and clear of poky plants. By this time, we needed to put on our headlamps to set up the tents and cook dinner. The temperature had also dropped into the 30’s F, so it was going to get cold that night. It is amazing how big my bladder is when it is below freezing, and I am cosied up in a warm sleeping bag. I had my 13F comfort-rated sleeping bag and slept well.
The next morning, we woke up to a half-frozen water bottle and a thermometer that read 28F. By the time we boiled water for instant coffee and oatmeal, took down the tent, and packed up the bikes, it was past 9 am and still in the 30s. Luckily, there was no wind, and as soon as the sun rose over the mountains, it warmed up into the 50s.
