Silverbell Sasco Loop - Level 2
Silverbell Sasco Loop is a desert backcountry loop in the Silver Bell Mountains area northwest of Tucson, in Pima County. It runs through open Sonoran Desert country near the old copper mining district that gave the Silver Bell Mountains and the Sasco smelter site their names.
The area is quiet and lightly developed, with long views across the Avra Valley and the surrounding desert ranges. It suits a relaxed day of exploring, and the mining history around it gives the drive some extra interest.
Trail Summary
- LocationPima County, Arizona
- Distance17.4 miles
- DifficultyLevel 2
- Elevation2,083 ft to 2,658 ft with a 575 ft change
- Travel Time2 hours
Difficulty
Typically suitable for high clearance 2WD
This is an Easy (level 2) trail. A high clearance 2WD vehicle with stock equipment is generally enough, though the surface will test tire traction and ground clearance in places. Expect dirt and rocky road with possible rocks, dips or ruts under about 9 inches. Shallow water crossings and small ledges under 12 inches are possible, and the road is typically one to two vehicles wide. Dirt roads like this are usually not maintained after rain, so conditions can change after a storm. The driver's log did not call out any obstacle needing special attention.
Terrain
The route crosses typical Sonoran Desert terrain on dirt and rocky desert roads, with sandy washes and gravel flats between low ridges. Vegetation is mostly saguaro, palo verde, creosote and ironwood. Washes can hold loose sand or gravel and can run after heavy rain.
History
The name Sasco comes from the Southern Arizona Smelting Company, formed in 1906 to build a smelter that would process ore from the Silver Bell mines. The Development Company of America ran the mines and the Arizona Southern Railroad, which linked them to the Southern Pacific line at Red Rock. The smelter was finished in 1908, and the company town of Sasco grew to roughly 600 people. The smelter and town were short-lived after the parent company went bankrupt, and today Sasco is a ghost site. The Silver Bell mining camp to the west was a separate company town, and a cemetery from it survives.
Highlights
The Silver Bell Cemetery is protected by the Bureau of Land Management and is part of the Ironwood Forest National Monument visitor sites. Old railroad grade can still be found in places in the area, and railroad spikes are sometimes found along it. Leave any artifacts where they are. The Silver Bell open pit mine operates in the mountains nearby, so expect some mine traffic and private land near it.
Trail GPS File
Map
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