It seems winter has finally gotten on track here in the desert. A couple much needed storms passed through the area recently and another was on tap for Friday. That's typically my day to get out for a long ride somewhere. I took a peek at the hourly forecast and all models were pointing to a late afternoon arrival of rain. If I started early enough I could get a Ripsey loop in before it arrived. Steve was also game and we met at the Kelvin trailhead around 8:30a.
We'd be riding what's now become the traditional short loop, a 30 miler going counter clockwise. This time I'd mix it up a bit by staying on Tecolote Rd until Ripsey Ranch, then cutting over to the Arizona Trail, AZT, along a powerline corridor. We've been skipping that section of late, well, because it's a powerline corridor!! This time would be different, a trail had been constructed by the ATA a few years ago, but it currently deadends in a wash waiting for final permitting across State Trust Land. Satellite imagery showed a 2-track next to the deadend that could be taken back to the AZT along the powerlines. I wanted to make sure this was easily doable before making any larger route changes.
Off we go!!
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| Steve topping out on the Florence-Kelvin grind. All quiet on the road today. |
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| Yet another burn reminder from the horrendous 2020 fire season. |
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| Ran into Jennifer out on a training ride!! |
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| Jennifer returning the photo favor. |
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| Tecolote Rd. can be sandy in bits, but it was very rideable on this day. |
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| Sad sight out at Ripsey Ranch. The remains of a once stately giant Cottonwood tree that had provided shade and a fantastic grassy lunch spot over the years. Lightning took it out a few years ago and this is all that is left. Sans grass too. |
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| Exiting the powerline corridor for Cougar Hill, aptly named because the trail builder had to fend off a mountain lion while on work assignment!! At the time, there was a carcass of a large animal nearby. Crazy!! |
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| The trail gradually climbs at the start, it's getting a bit difficult to follow due to lack of use. |
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| Once over the top, the views open up and the trail glides downhill. |
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| It swoops in and around the small hills. |
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| The powerlines can be seen in the distance. |
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| The singletrack deadends a few feet beyond my bike in a wash at the base of that small hill. Look for the cairn by my bike and shoot over to where Steve is standing. That's how close the 2-track exit is. Easy. |
Go right on the 2-track, then left at the next dirt road on top of the small hill. That will bring you back to the current AZT at the powerlines. Go right and continue towards Ripsey goodness.
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| This section of trail is fun to ride, but no matter how many times I ride out here, the turns can be difficult to see. Everything blends in and the cattle make nice trails too! |
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| This bit of trail was added a few years ago and leads to the large gate ahead before some dirt road riding. |
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| Snowy Pinal Peak. |
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| Steve dropping down towards Ripsey Wash. |
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| Some clear water was dripping into the tub and needs to be replaced, the left side, off the photo, has a huge hole in it. |
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| Much to our surprise, we both cleaned this often blown out dirt road climb. |
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| The Big Hill getting close. |
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| A lone black cow watches us navigate some slippery switchbacks into Ripsey Wash. |
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| Steve showing his climbing legs, knocking out another tricky section of trail above the wash. Nicely done!! |
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| Nearing the top of the Big Hill. Happy to say I cleaned the last two upper switchbacks (We won't mention the four before those). |
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| Steve cruising across the famous ridgeline. |
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| Silhouette atop Ripsey. |
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| Where's Waldo?? Find Steve on the second ridge. |
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| High above Kearny. |
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| From the top of Ripsey it's 5 1/2 miles of mostly downhill riding to the Kelvin trailhead. |
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| Distant skies looking more ominous. |
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| One final pose before the switchback attack!! |
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| Navigating a tight righthand turn. |
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| 13 switchbacks in all, test your skill, how many can you ride clean? 11 of 13 today. (#1 & #5 got me!!) |
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| Last gate has a wonky hinge, time for a rollover!! |
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| One final short uphill and a view of the monstrous Ray Mine, whose mine tailings will require a re-routing of the AZT through here. |
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| Once again, the Arizona Trail delivers the goods. |
If you haven't been to this area, do yourself a favor and check it out. The only person we saw all day was Jennifer. We beat the rain by 45 minutes too. I'd call that some good, lucky?, planning. Haha. Thanks for coming out, Steve, it was good to share the ride with you.
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