The ancient history of the western slopes of the Catalina mountains starts with the arrival of the Hohokam people from northern Mexico around AD 300, reaching their peak between AD 700 and 1000. The peak years of occupation in the Canada Del Oro were from AD 500-700 before major population units moved to Rillito and eventually the Rincons (1).

Recorded history detailing western civilizations imprint on the Catalina's starts in the 1540's with the expeditions of Don Francisco de Coronado, the famed spanish explorer and commander who traveled through much of the southwest in search of gold. Father Kino, who established many of the missions throughout Arizona and California named the mountains Catalina, after St. Catherine in 1697.

Famille Charouleau, French pioneers traveled West to this area in the late 19th century, giving the pronounced "gap" along the Samaniego Ridge its name.

(1) Hohokam Indians of the Tucson Basin
By Linda M. Gregonis & Karl J. Reinhard

The Catalina Mountains were formed by a major fault line called Pirate, splitting the range in two and causing the fissure between the Oracle and Samaniego ridges. This split and subsequent erosion created the pronounced alluvial fans seen on the western slopes and the deep chasm that is now home to the flows of the Canada del Oro. Canada del Oro makes its way north around the Samaniego ridge, and then back south to the confluence of the Santa Cruz River.

We met in Oracle, with a very healthy group size of 13 vehicles. After making our way through town and out of the gate at the end of Callas Dr. We lined up and had a short drivers meeting before making the right turn onto FR 726 (N32 35.930 W110 46.339) and the start of the trail.

Driving the Charouleau Gap trail from North to West was always considered the most difficult direction. However, in recent years the trail has been graded for better access by fire equipment. The grading previously stopped before Canon del Oro wash, but now the grading goes all the way to Coronado Camp, bypassing the "step" all together. The trail to the saddle at Charouleau Gap could easily be completed by most high clearance stock SUV's with low range.

At the time, we did not know the extent of the grading, and continued our trek south around Oracle Hill. The trail at this point is quite tame, with a few steep, but solid hill climbs and descents. There are also a few mild crossed axle challenges at the low point of the trail, where recent rains have begun reshaping the terrain. The trail drops into Dodge Wash via a set of tight switchbacks before climbing back up the next ridge. The climb is long and steep, but has a solid surface now because of the grading. The climb has been called the "elevator shaft" because of the rapid gain in elevation.