Ajax Mine Trail

full-limited Icon
5/5 (8 reviews)
Florence, Arizona (Pinal County)
Last Updated: 08/25/2021

Trail Information

Highlights

Ajax Mine Trail is a 2.7 mile-long rock crawling trail or can be run as a shelf road to view the mine ruins. It's mainly a boulder-strewn wash from the beginning and circles back to the start via the mining road above the entire route. There are numerous difficult rock waterfall obstacles without bypasses along the route. The trail is ideal for experienced wheelers with modified vehicles wishing to test and advance their skills. An Arizona State Trust Permit is required if you plan to enter the area. There are numerous routes to get to the area where the actual trail entrance is located. Unfortunately, there is very little trail signage around because the trails are not numbered by BLM.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

5/5 (8)
User Avatar
inline-aa Icon
300
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 09/29/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

Ran Upper Ajax Mine Trail on 9/23/23, I have an 01 XJ, 5 1/2 inch lift and 35 in tires, front and rear lockers, a 97 TJ, stretched (110-inch wheelbase), 350 cid eng, 40 in tires, basically a tubed out jeep/buggy, and our third jeep was an 89 YJ, 350 Cid Eng, also with a 110 inch wheel base with a double transfer case set-up, also basically a buggy on 40 in. tires. Based on the previous review, the trail has been eroded a lot by all the spring rains. The original description on this trail is now very much out of date as far as the obstacles, there are I believe now, 6 major obstacles, five being extreme for any jeep with even moderate upgrades. It took us about 4 hours to complete the trail, I had to winch off three of the obstacles, of the three I drove through, two of which gave me some nice body damage. The other two jeeps with me also had some trouble on three of the obstacles but took a different line having 40-inch tires and an extra four inches of lift. It's my opinion the best set up would be a 110-inch wheelbase (preferred), and min 37-inch tires, 40 inch preferred and some real strong rock sliders. Taking a long wheelbase vehicle on this trail, in my opinion, would be a serious mistake. GOOD LUCK. Sorry with all the trouble we had, did not bother with pictures. A bit of video was taken, when I receive them, I'll try to add them to the review later.
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 03/20/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Ran upper and lower Ajax yesterday. Both sections had some flowing water which made some obstacles more difficult. Description for the upper section needs more details and obstacle markings. Once you go up the first big obstacle, you are committed. There isn’t an “easy” way out. We had 5 vehicles - two 4-dr jeeps with 37” tires, two TJ’s with 37-35” tires and a Cherokee on 33’s with full exterior roll cage. Expect some body damage and the use of rails and skids and winching. Would definitely run again despite the challenges!
User Avatar
Official Crew
inline-aa Icon
77600
Open
Visited: 07/07/2021

Arizona National Forests and State Lands are back open for travel. There are still some very important fire restrictions in place. These restrictions can often change by specific areas.
User Avatar
Official Crew
inline-aa Icon
77600
Temporary Closure
Visited: 06/23/2021

Due to extremely high fire danger, exceptional drought conditions, resource availability, and increased fire activity, the Department of Forestry and Fire Management and the Arizona State Land Department will implement closures to State Trust Land throughout Arizona. These closures are also in conjunction with our USFS partners. As of 8am on June 25, 2021, closures will be implemented on state-owned and managed lands in all 15 counties. All state-owned and managed lands are closed to entry for recreational purposes, including hunting, camping, and off-road vehicle use. Target shooting and fireworks are prohibited year-round. AZ State Land Closures Notice
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 04/17/2021

Went out to run Ajax again, the lower portion. What a fun trail. No significant changes to report. We did go up to the mine to have lunch. Solid trail in the area.

From the Community

Start a free trial and get this level of detail on every trail guide
Start Free Trial