Yuma: Sugarloaf Mtn. Take 2

 I was on my way to Borrego Springs in SoCal and had some time to kill. I had done a ride on the Sugarloaf Mtn. trails in Yuma a few years ago and had fun. Why not sample some more? I did a quick route search on Trailforks and found a 7-ish mile loop. Perfect for the time allotted.

The trails are located a few miles north of the east side of town. There's a small trailhead for parking and two cars were there when I arrived. It was in the low 80's, just warm enough, but not bad. You don't want to be here in the hot months.

I'd be doing a CCW loop generally climbing to the halfway point, then finishing with a nice downhill glide.

Cool signage at the trailhead.

There is an area near the trailhead filled with car tires, my route had me riding around that first, then a short bit on a dirt road. I kept my eyes peeled for a trail on the left. It wasn't too difficult to find as there are good trail markers here.

Into the barren hills we go!!

The climbing alternated between this dirt road and some paralleling singletrack that would cut off punchy climbs on the road. This trail on the left led to another ridgeline. I'd stay on the road here.

Oh, here we go. This was looking promising.

It may be nothing but rocks here, but it rides surprisingly well. That's what good trail routing does. This is the 8-Ball trail and it drops down in the valley.

Target practice on an old excavator.

There was steeper climbing from the bullet strewn yellow monster below, but I could tell it was worth it.

Sugarloaf Mtn. is part of the Laguna Mountains (foreground), I-8 cuts through the Gila Mountains (background) on its way to Yuma. Yellow shooting target far below.

Stay alert for oddball sights along the trail. This fella greeted me during a short singletrack climb.

That looks like fun!! Next time.

Into the blinding late afternoon sun near the trailhead.

I did notice on Trailforks that someone had published a 40 mile route challenge here. Maybe it would be worth the drive to do that. This place is fun, check it out next time you're passing through.

Route: