Woodcutters Pass - Level 3 (optional 4)
Woodcutters Pass crosses the Gila Mountains east of Yuma, Arizona, on the Barry M. Goldwater Range East. It is a desert mountain route through Sonoran Desert scenery, with a pass between the Yuma side and the broad valley to the east.
The range is a military area, so visitors need a free recreation permit for every person in the group before they go. Check the current rules and any closures with the range managers before you head out.
Trail Summary
- LocationYuma County, Arizona
- Distance20.5 miles
- DifficultyLevel 3, with an optional Level 4
- Elevation335 ft to 1,400 ft with a 1,065 ft change
- Travel Time2 hours 57 minutes
Difficulty
Best suited for a high clearance 4x4
The driver rates this trail Level 3, Moderate, which suits a stock high clearance 4x4 with off-road tires. Expect an uneven, rutted road with loose rock, sandy washes and short, steep grades. Ledges and other obstacles up to about 12 inches are possible, so careful tire placement may be needed. The road is generally one vehicle wide with places to pass. The driver's log does not call out any specific obstacle that needs special attention. There is an optional harder line at Level 4, Moderate to Difficult, for drivers who want more challenge. It involves low range gearing, obstacles up to about 18 inches, and a real chance of undercarriage damage. Drivers can take that line or stay on the Level 3 route.
Terrain
The route climbs from the desert flats into the rocky Gila Mountains and crosses a pass before dropping back down. Other trip reports describe a very rocky surface, particularly over the mountain. Washes and rough, eroded sections are typical of this range. The setting is open Sonoran Desert with creosote, ironwood and desert washes, and there is little shade or water along the way.
History
Woodcutters Pass was built in 1896 to haul wood from an ironwood grove on the east side of the Gila Mountains to the Fortuna Mine on the west side. The mine was found in 1894 and produced roughly 123,000 ounces of gold before closing in 1904. A geocache description says the road was moderately easy until a major storm badly damaged it in the 1960s. Efforts to reopen it began in the 1990s, and a group working from the west reached the summit by 1995.
Highlights
Desert bighorn sheep have been reported in these mountains by other riders. The Fortuna Mine townsite, with its foundations, graves and fenced shaft, lies on the same side of the range and needs the same permit. Summer heat is severe here, so the cooler months are the practical time to go. Carry extra water, a spare tire and recovery gear, because cell coverage and help are limited on the range.
Trail GPS File
Map
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