more stats
2.5 miles
Distance
409 ft
Climb
-460 ft
Descent
00:35:57
Avg time
-51 ft
Altitude change
3,179 ft
Altitude min
3,511 ft
Altitude max
3,290 ft
Altitude start
3,240 ft
Altitude end
-0.386%
Grade
-92.322%
Grade max
47.424%
Grade min
1 mile
Distance climb
1 mile
Distance down
713 ft
Distance flat
00:35:57
Avg time

Middle Gate Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Horse
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Coronado National Forest - Mt Lemmon
    Arizona
  • Difficulty Rating
    Black Diamond Rate
  • Voted Difficulty
    Black Diamond (2 votes)
  • Local Popularity
    90 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 65 in Trail Running
    • 75 in Hiking
    • 5 in Horseback
  • Global Ranking
    #36273 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #54962 in Trail Running
    • #29199 in Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Both Directions
    Popular Direction Shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Black Diamond
  • Physical Rating
    Hard
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • TTFs on Trail
    Drop, Rock Garden

This trail is best ridden North to South, or better yet as an extension of Upper 50 Year trail. Middlegate starts with a mixture of technical rock gardens and punchy uphill climbs. It then descends through a fast and fun downhill that includes several carved out dirt chutes, and many great small rock features and rolls. Keep an eye out for alternative lines. The trail spits you out on a dirt road right next to 50 year trail.

Trail Supporters
Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 1 rides
  • 21 miles average
6 Months
  • 16 rides
  • 11 miles avg distance
All
  • 254 rides
  • Last: Sep 23, 2026
c1c2c3c4
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Middle Gate Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
Jan 22, 2026 @ 2:40pm (America/Phoenix)
Jan 22, 2026
Nov 25, 2025 @ 7:57pm (America/Phoenix)
Nov 25, 2025
 pretty sandy following the rains
Feb 7, 2025 @ 12:46pm
Feb 7, 2025
 so, so loose -- a dry year plus lots of horse traffic have taken their toll.
Dec 4, 2024 @ 6:45am
Dec 4, 2024
 I've never seen it with so much sand - it's doable, but certainly not overly pleasent to ride as is.
Nov 9, 2024 @ 5:07pm
Nov 9, 2024
 Although Middle Gate is totally rideable there is notable erosion in the last 1/2 mile since last season. Some tread work and brushing would go a...
more »
Status:
on Jan 22, 2026
Dry
Avg: 4 (31 votes)
Your vote: 0

view (1,689)
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      Directions to middle-gate trailhead (32.494270, -110.867560)
      View on Discover Map

      Photos

      9 more »
      mtb
      76 |
      Apr 3, 2025 @ 1:12pm
      Apr 3, 2025
      mtb
      88 |
      Dec 28, 2024 @ 12:57pm
      Dec 28, 2024
      mtb
      270 |
      May 10, 2022 @ 4:59am
      May 10, 2022
      mtb
      240 |
      Mar 17, 2021 @ 10:08pm
      Mar 17, 2021

      Videos

      4 more »
      youtuber First Ride on my new RSD Middle Child Hardtail...
      mtb
      4:31 | 1109 | Feb 24, 2019 , My City
      One of the Best MTB Trails in Tucson? (Middle...
      mtb
      20:40 | 27 | Jun 28, 2026 , My City
      Gem Slabs and Middle Gate: Best of the 50-Year...
      mtb
      11:01 | 425 | Mar 7, 2023 , My City
      Tucson Road Trip 12-19-2020 | Chutes, 50...
      mtb
      17:56 | 425 | Jan 4, 2021 , My City

      Routes with this trail

      166
      50 Year All the Goods (Catalina SP)
      ★ 4.1 • 12 miles • 1,364 ft • 22 •
      A good sized loop that grabs basically all the good stuff in the Golder Ranch/50 Year area. Has everything...
      168
      Upper 50-year Slickrock Loop from Golder TH - Catalina SP
      ★ 4.7 • 13 miles • 1,267 ft • 18 • Loop •
      Loop starting at Golder TH, around the Chutes, up and Rattlesnake, then down "Around the Mountain"
      140
      50 Year/Middle Gate Loop
      ★ 5.0 • 7 miles • 684 ft • 8 •
      This loop combines the Upper Trail with Middle Gate.
      4.1 ★★★★★
      31 Ratings
      5 ★ 48%
      4 ★ 29%
      3 ★ 10%
      2 ★ 6%
      1 ★ 6%

      12 Reviews & Comments

      YEMvt
      The beginning climb was definitely some hike a bike for me as an intermediate. Super tight techy punchy climbs. The trail is beautiful though, and not a bad climb at all. The down hill is a hoot!! I’m going to give it another ride tomorrow.
      dropin06 dropin06
      Absolutely Must Ride!! Fun tech lines, fun slab lines.
      This checked the box for sure. Would ride again when in Arizona.
      farmteamlb farmteamlb
      Middle Gate is the driest I have ever seen it. I hope you like sand.

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      Nearby Trails

      Coronado National Forest - Mt Lemmon

      • By toddTF Pro Trailforks & contributors
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      Frequently Asked Questions

      ▼ Where is Middle Gate located?
      Middle Gate is located in Coronado National Forest - Mt Lemmon, Arizona, United States. It is part of the Coronado National Forest - Mt Lemmon trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 32.49427, -110.86756.
      ▼ How hard is Middle Gate?
      Middle Gate is rated as Black Diamond difficulty. The physical rating is Hard. The average grade is 0.386%. The climb difficulty is rated Black Diamond.
      ▼ What is the elevation gain for Middle Gate?
      Middle Gate has 409 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 460 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 3,179 ft to 3,511 ft.
      ▼ Is Middle Gate a point to point trail?
      Middle Gate is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ How long is Middle Gate?
      Middle Gate is 2.5 miles long. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ Are dogs allowed on Middle Gate?
      There is no information about dogs being allowed on Middle Gate. Check with local trail managers or the trail page for the latest access rules.
      ▼ How do I access Middle Gate? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
      The closest parking and trailhead locations to Middle Gate are: View all parking locations in the area.
      ▼ How long does it take to ride Middle Gate?
      Based on recorded activities, it takes an average of 36 minutes to ride Middle Gate. The trail is 2.5 miles long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace. View recent activity logs for more details.
      ▼ How busy is Middle Gate?
      Middle Gate is a very popular trail. There have been 1,673 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 1,689 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

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