Middlemarch Road
Traverse the Dragoon Mountains on this scenic and historic road. Once a pathway for U.S. Army troop movement between Fort Bowie and the San Pedro Valley, this route connects modern day US Highway 191 to Highway 80 near Tombstone.
Where to go:
This trail begins two miles north of Tombstone. From downtown Tombstone, continue north on Highway 80 as it leaves town. After two miles and passing hotels on the left, stay right onto Middlemarch Road. The trail turns to dirt immediately and continues east. Alternatively, if you are doing the trail in reverse, from Highway 191 in Pearce, stay west onto the paved Pearce Road. Follow west for 4.5 miles to where Middlemarch Road goes south.
Trail Description:
From the cattleguard just off Highway 80, continue east on the dirt road as it remains wide and smooth. The trail turns north before heading in a more northeasterly direction shortly after. Ignore the numerous residential roads that branch off within the first three miles. At the 3.6 mile mark, the road crosses a wide and normally dry wash. The road will continue to cross several smaller washes as things remain mostly smooth and flat. Stay left around a private ranch at the 7.0 mile mark. From this point on, the views continue to improve dramatically as you approach the rugged Dragoon Mountains.
At 9.9 miles, cross over a cattleguard and stay straight where F.R. 687 goes left (which can be used to access additional hiking and camping spots). The road curves to the east and begins to climb from this point on. The terrain remains scenic as you cross through wide grassy plains. Continue to ignore side roads as the trail gets slightly rougher and narrower after the 12.0 mile mark. Here, the vegetation changes as you continue to climb along the road. Stay left at 13.3 miles where another trail goes right.
At 13.8 miles, the trail reaches and tops out at Middlemarch Pass. This 5,924’ high point offers a great look into the Sulphur Springs Valley to the east. After clearing the pass, the road quickly drops. Make a hard right turn at 14.3 miles where a lesser road continues straight ahead. The road remains narrower as it continues to twist and turn and drop in elevation. Continue straight at 16.0 miles where a trail in a wash goes left. If you’re looking for some more difficult driving, follow this trail one mile up the wash to some old mining ruins. This side trail is marked as “Not Maintained for Public Travel” and will require 4WD & high-clearance. Continue east on Middlemarch Road as it quickly re-enters a residential area at 16.5 miles. The road makes a sharp left turn as it becomes wider and smoother. The road continues to make several sharp turns as it heads north and levels out. At 20.6 miles, the trail reaches Pearce Road and ends. From here, you can continue 4.5 miles to the east to paved Highway 191 in ‘downtown’ Pearce, or continue north a couple miles towards Ironwood Road and Cochise Stronghold to the west.
Notes & Trail Ratings:
Overall, Middlemarch Road remains mostly smooth and wide along its 20 mile length. High-clearance is recommended as the section through Middlemarch Pass can get rougher depending on the last maintenance. Allow for 1-2 hours to complete the drive. Several side roads along the route can add time exploring the area and range in difficulty from smooth roads to rutted out 4WD trails. Due to the elevation, this trail can receive snow in the winter months which can make it impassable depending on your vehicle type. Always be aware of the weather and drive within your ability.