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Mission Rd s(u)

This is a really popular road ride for Tusconics. The climb is gentle, yet noticable, traversing along the lower alluvial fans of Sierrita Mtns. And it has a bona fide tourist attraction on its north end: the historic Spanish San Xavier mission, adorned in white-Spanish-Village white. Alternatively, approaching this tourist stop from the south over this summit, offers a quiet peaceful workout before the touristic confrontation.

1.START-END SOUTH:Nogales Highway crosses Santa Cruz River, south of Saruahita
2.profile picks up Duvall Mine Rd at I19 Duvall Mike Rd exit
3.jct with Continental Rd
4.TOP, 3610ft, immediately after the jct wit McGee Ranch Rd
5.jct with Twin Buttes Rd, connecting east
6.jct with Helmet Peak Rd, connecting east
7.START-END NORTH:jct with San Xavier Rd
8.START-END NORTH ALT:jct Mission Rd - Valencia Rd


Approaches

From South.
Two lower approaches up a cactus covered arroyo are just high enough to qualify as a shoulder summit at the point where they meet. The two roads are Duvall Mine Rd and Continental Rd, and there is one picture of each on this page.

Enough with the cacti for now after this junction. They have been replaced by mine tailings for the forseeable future. But an absence of traffic is offered as consolation. Up on the left in the Sierrita Mountais is a radio tower, I want to explore closer someday, but for now the gentle slope and pleasant views over onto the Santa Rita Mountains are also very nice. Approaching an inconspicuous high point a well named "helmet peak" finally acts as landmark and transtion to throw the viewscape to flat old Tuscon open.


From North. The decent on this side seems even shallower, but the cacti are back to beautify the flatness. Entering the Tohono-Ooodham resevation is an interesting experience in seeing how people live. The historic San Xavier Mission is an extra half a mile or so off the loop. On the map it looks like there is a way to connect to the bike path along the Santa Cruz River from here. Unfortunately I wasn't aware of that, if it in fact exists. The generic modern building surrounding the mission forms an abrupt transition, from the interesting architecture of the church itself. As usual, there are signs forbidding photography of the things that would be most interesting to photograph. There is on exception: the interior of the church makes for some fantastic images. The profile ends here. Continuing further north on the same road, the traffic becomes much worse. But there may be other possibilities that I did not have time to check out.


Dayride with this point as highest summit

COMPLETELY PAVED:

( < FR4058 - FR231 Santa Rita Mtns | Kitt Peak(ow) > )

Mission Rd s(u) , :jct: Duvall Mine Rd - Continental Rd(sh): Whitehouse Canyon Rd at ~3460ft > White House Canyon Rd west > Continental Rd west > Duvall Mine Rd west > Mission Rd north > Mission Rd s(u) <> out and back on San Xavier Rd to Mission with small detours >> Valencia Rd east > Tucson - Nogales Highway south > Old Nogales Highway south > Tucson Nogales HIghway south > Duvall Mine Rd west > jct Duvall Mine Rd - Continental Rd(sh) > Continental Rd east > back to startingpoint  on White House Canyon Rd: 70.7miles with 2680ft of climbing in 5:23hrs (garmin etrex32x r4:24.11.28)

         



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