Guzzler Well to Racetrack Flats — Pinal Mountains Mining Spine
Copper country ridge road with nothing easy about it.
The Pinal Mountains rising above Globe, Arizona are what the Superstitions would look like if the tourists never showed up. Forest Road 112 and its spur roads climb from the desert floor at around 3,500 feet to the Pinal Mountain summit ridge at nearly 7,900 feet, threading through the ruins of the Racetrack Flats grazing and mining operations that defined this country from the 1880s through the mid-20th century. The road begins in earnest east of Globe off Six-Shooter Canyon Road, gaining elevation fast through manzanita and Apache pine before hitting the exposed ridgeline at Guzzler Well — a working livestock water point that’s been in use for over a century. The descent toward Icehouse Canyon on the north side is loose basalt cobble and off-camber shelf road that demands full attention.
This is a genuine high-clearance technical route — not a scenic byway with gravel shoulders. Stock 4WD won’t cut it on the loose rock sections; a solid-axle rig with lockers is the honest minimum. The ridge road can close without notice in winter from snow and mud, so the prime window is May through early November. Globe is your last fuel and water stop — the Pinal Mountains have no services. Dispersed camping is legal on National Forest land along the route. Globe Ranger District manages the area; call ahead in early spring because the mud gate closures are real and they stick to them.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 29 mi / 46.7 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7850 ft |
| Best season | May-November |
| Minimum vehicle | Locked 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Globe, AZ |
| Land manager | Tonto National Forest — Globe Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run this trail, or do I need lockers?
The trail listing says minimum locked 4WD with high clearance — and it means it. Stock rigs with open diffs will get stuck on the loose rocky climbs along the mining spine. At minimum you want a rear locker; front locker is better on the technical sections near the ridge.
When does this trail typically open and close each year?
Best season is May through November. Snow and mud close upper sections of the Pinal Mountains through winter and into early spring — the ridge tops out near 7,850 ft, so don't assume it's clear just because Globe looks dry. Check with Tonto National Forest Globe Ranger District before heading out in shoulder months.
Do I need a permit or pass to run this trail?
No permit required, but you're on Tonto National Forest land the entire route. A Tonto Pass is not required for vehicle travel on this trail, though dispersed camping rules apply — 14-day stay limit, 300 ft from water sources and roads. No fees at the trailhead.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The ridge traverses between the old mining camp sites are the crux — loose shale, off-camber sidehills, and eroded rocky climbs with minimal room to recover if you slide. At 4,200 ft of gain over 29 miles, you're constantly working. Budget more time than you think; a full day is realistic only if you're not stopping for recoveries.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and is there any reliable water on route?
Globe is your last stop for fuel — fill up there, it's the only option. There are water crossings on trail, but don't count on them being potable without treatment; 'Guzzler Well' in the name refers to livestock infrastructure, not a clean drinking source. Carry all your water in.
Trail track
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