Phoenix: Valley of the Sun Trails

 I put this area map together as a challenge to get riders to explore other areas in town. See how many different riding areas you could notch during the year. I figured this would also be a good place to post it so it doesn't get lost online.

We are fortunate to live in an area that has so many distinct riding areas. I'd say 90% of these areas are worth making a drive to check out. Some...not so much, but they are trail systems. These are in no particular order, perhaps only semi-organized by geographic location.

1. San Tan RP (RP = Regional Park)
2. Gilbert Riparian Preserve
3. South Mountain
4. Papago Park
5. Gold Canyon
6. Silly Mtn. Park
7. Lost Dutchman
8. Goldfield Mtns.
9. Usery Mtn. RP
10. Hawes
11. Desert Trails Park
12. Phoenix Mtn. Preserve, aka: PMP.
13. Lookout Mtn. Preserve
14. McDowell Sonoran Preserve, aka: MSP
15. McDowell Mtn. RP
16. Brown's Ranch
17. 7 Springs Recreation Area
18. Cave Creek RP
19. Phoenix Sonoran Preserve
-19a: South Preserve (SoSo)
-19b: North Preserve, aka: Apache Wash (NoSo)
20. Spur Cross
21. Deem Hills
22. Pyramid Peak
23. Paloma RP
24. East Wing Mtn. Preserve
25. West Wing Mtn. Preserve
26. Sunrise Mtn. Preserve
27. Thunderbird
28. Calderwood Butte
29. Reach 11
30. Lake Pleasant RP
31. White Tank RP
32. Lost Creek
33. Skyline RP
34. Dogbone Trails
35. F.I.N.S.
36. Pirate Trails
37. Lucero
38. Estrella Mtn. RP
39. Peralta RP
40. Daisy Mtn.

Honorable mentions:
1. Maricopa Trail
2. Sun Circle Trail
3. Black Canyon Trail, BCT
4. Arizona Trail, AZT
5. Wickenburg
6. Casa Grande Mtn. Park
7. Sunflower
8. Pinal Mtn. (Globe)

Fantastic riding, no matter where you live!!

Here is my local heatmap since 2010. (https://www.statshunters.com)

That is all. Get out there!! Go ride someplace new-to-you. Fill in that mental Atlas.

Cottonwood: Quail Springs

 We wrapped up our ride along Copper Chief then made our way to the Maverik Station for drinks. I suggested the same food truck I ate at last time I was here and it was perfect. Plateros Roadrunner Grill has quickly turned into a must-stop.

After lunch we drove over to Ogden Ranch Rd. and up to the Black Canyon TH. Again, this is NOT the Black Canyon Trail, BCT, that parallels I-17, this is the Mingus Black Canyon Trail. To avoid confusion, I kinda hope they make a name change as this trail is about to become more popular with the completion of both Copper Chief and Quail Springs.

We bumped into a couple of forest service workers who were putting up signs warning trail users of the potential of falling rock/debris from the Copper Chief trail construction. We mentioned we had just come off that trail and were now heading up Quail Springs. They informed us the new trail was 5 1/2 miles with about 2 more remaining to be built. More new dirt, let's go!!

Blue portion needs to be built.

The start of Quail Springs.

The first couple of miles gently climbed through the high desert, but the mountain approached.

Now things were getting interesting.

We took note of the climbing grade for each mile: 200', 150', 200', 250' & 225'.

Must be a water source down there, Quail Spring??

From a distance, we thought we were looking at the dozer marking the end of the trail.

Kara climbing the nice grade.

Catching my breathe after a short pitch. Photo by Kara.

Tight, loose switchback. It'll pack in nicely with use.

Not the dozer, hauling the trail goods.

End of the line, right at mile 5.0. Photo by Kara.

The trail will continue through here. Nice view of Humphrey's Peak on the horizon.

Looking down on all the trail we rode up.

Cool vantage point on the way down.

Kara flying on the downhill.

It was like a 5 mile flow trail on the way down.

Two miles remaining until the trailhead.

Total guestimate on the remaining trail for Quail Springs. It'll tie into Copper Chief at some point. Making a loop from the trailhead will be a 13 mile ride.

The trail was an absolute hoot to ride, both up and down. When complete in the coming months, it'll open up some real nice ride possibilities. Doing a 13 mile loop from the trailhead, making a longer lollipop ride from the Blowout Wash trails or switching up the finish to a shuttle ride down Gaddes Canyon, Mingus Black Canyon & Quail Springs. 

The Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition is really making things happen up here. Lots more in the works.

Tucson: Sweetwater Preserve

 On the drive home from Patagonia, I wanted to ride someplace in Tucson I don't frequent. Sweetwater Preserve came to mind as I had only passed through once many years ago while doing a huge TMP Loop. It's located on the northeast side of Tucson Mtn. Park. There aren't a ton of miles there, but enough for a good ride. You could probably get 20 miles if you were to ride everything it had to offer. I was looking for a 2 hour ride.

I had to divert through a neighborhood to reach the trailhead as the main road in was closed due to a bad traffic accident. Pay attention out there!! The trailhead had about a dozen or so vehicles, a mix of bikers and hikers.

Since I didn't know the trail system, I just picked a trail and went.

Gentle climbing led to impressive views of Mt. Lemmon to the east.

Turning back west, things looked like they'd get more rocky.

Large stands of Saguaro dominated the landscape.

I image this is what it would be like to ride in Saguaro Nat'l Park, which is nearby.

Santa Catalina and Ricon Mtns tower above the desert floor.

There's a good deal of chunky XC riding and I was happy to clean a few of the longer efforts.

The trail system is a series of short loops, so you can easily change things up.

Ocotillo in full bloom.

Trailhead beginning to thin out a bit.

Strava link.

I ended up riding most of the system, missed a few connector trails and access trails to the neighboring communities. It's a really fun, scenic area to ride. If you have the time when passing through, check it out, it'll surprise you.

AES: Coronado Gold - Fool's Gold 40

 Ever since the ATA put the finishing touches on the Casa Blanca Canyons passage, I knew I had to get it on the Arizona Endurance Series, AES, calendar. It took a couple of years, but it was time. The nice thing about this one, well there are a few nice things, but starting and finishing in Patagonia is a treat. Cool little town with a good vibe, good food and a small bike shop right next to the local brewery. The other bonus was the ability to create multiple loop options of varying distances to give riders a choice in what challenge to take on. The common theme with all three routes? They would all descent the squiggly part of the Arizona Trail, AZT, and return to town via the Train Track trail. That portion of AZT is the highlight of the day.

The three options were: 24 miler (24 Karat route), 40 miler (Fool's Gold) and the 74 mile Mother Lode option. Hat tip to Jeff & Nancy for coming up with the Coronado Gold name, as I was drawing a blank on that one.

I opted for the 40 miler as I couldn't get down to Patagonia the night before. The 74 mile route begins at 6a, while the 24 & 40 start at 8a. It was already going to be an early wakeup, but really no different than a work day for me.

We had a nice turnout for the inaugural running of this event, in part, to our increased publicity thanks to Gerrit. He's also been revamping the website, which needed some updating. All three distances had a nice group of people. We had a few of the OG's in attendance and some new blood, which is always great to see. I joked with Jeff that I was taking my rain jacket. He laughed because there wasn't a cloud in the sky, however, the forecast was calling for a 25% chance around 2p. I mentioned I better finish by 2p then.

It was soon 8a and everyone blasted off...not really, actually nobody moved. It was kinda funny. Then I realized I hadn't turned on my GPS so the course needed to be loaded. That minute of hesitation immediately put me at the back of the pack, where I'd stay all day long...or so I thought!!

Already bringing up the rear.

The Train Track trail has been getting used, which is great because it's easy to follow now.

I could see Pascal up ahead of me most of the way through the Train Track trail. I eventually lost sight of him until I caught one glimpse along a straightaway of pavement. Then I was all alone.

More signs have popped up over the years, maybe some rollover gates will follow??

Mt. Wrightson will dominate the early views today.

Snow?!? Would there be snow on the trail higher up?

After riding four miles on the wide shoulder of SR82, we return to dirt as we climb up Hog Canyon.

Cool, simple ratchet concept for the gate closure.

Yeah, it's as steep as it looks. Hike-a-bike mode activated.

The top mellows out a bit as we near Gardner Canyon.

Now on the AZT until we rejoin the Train Track trail at SR82.

 No snow up here, so that was good news.

I intentionally routed us to use the Flume trail. It's a few flat, smooth, tight, beautiful singletrack miles with some interpretive signage along the way. The AES Kentucky Camp Long route also uses the Flume trail, but in the opposite direction.

Spectacular view of Mt. Wrightson from the Flume trail.

Now on to the Casa Blanca Canyons section. Distant view of the Huachuca Mtns.

Undulating hills to begin with led to some quick riding.

Cue the long fast downhill!!

This is hill country, so what goes down, also climbs back up.

The reward for getting to the top of the second big climb of the day. I walked so much of that!!

For every difficult uphill, there was ample payoff for the effort.

Ocotillo forest.

Harsh life in the these parts.

Pushing my way up the third and final big climb of the day. Notice the building clouds.

Junction with the Temporal Gulch trail, the 24 mile route arrived here on that.

It was now a bit after 12 noon and the final 12 miles are generally downhill. I may just finish before 2pm after all. A few dark clouds were hovering overhead now, I was prepared, but preferred to not get wet as it was still a bit chilly.

Time to begin the squiggles of Casa Blanca Canyons. One look at the gps track and you'll see why.

In & out of every hill on the way down. Incredible views and fantabulous riding.

Aircraft fuel tank across the way.

All of this rides well in the uphill direction too.

Down at the bottom, ripping through the Mesquite trees.

Pink & blue tape was for the upcoming Arizona Monster 300 mile foot race!! Bonkers.

Sad sight. A lone black cow standing in a dry stock tank seemingly waiting for rain.

Approaching SR82 and it's only 1:20p!! I think I'm going to make it.

Wrapping up the Train Track trail with a few minutes to spare.

I rolled through town, past the Patagonia Lumber Co. where everyone was hanging out. I cruised down to my car and logged a finish time of 1:53p, good enough for yet another AES DFL...or so I thought.

A bunch of the early finishers were hanging out and I was asked if I saw Jason out there. Nope, I was last out of town and nobody passed me. Hmmm. About 15 minutes later Jason rolled up, noting that he took a few wrong turns when we joined the AZT. I must've gotten ahead of him there.

Mike putting the wraps on the Mother Lode 74 mile route. Boom!!

I noticed my bike was extra wobbly when I put it on my bike rack. Come to find out, one of the bolts that secures a tray arm sheared off!! Thankfully, Igor had extra, unused, trays on his truck. Saved me from disassembling my bike to haul it in the back of my car.

Feels like a western town down here. It never did rain, only felt a handful of drops.

Strava link.

Thanks to everyone who drove south for this one. It sounded like everyone enjoyed the routes, the scenery, trail and of course, hanging out afterwards. That's what sets the AES series apart. Come check it out.