Bulldog Canyon Loop

 A few weeks ago my friend, Sharon, invited Kara and I on a ride in the McDowell Mtns. Kara was busy doing an Endurance Studio podcast of her AZT800 (give it a listen) and after looking at the route, I knew I wasn't quite ready for that kind of effort. A few weeks later and she asked again, this time we'd be doing about a 30 mile loop through Usery Mtn. Park, linking to the Goldfield Mtns, heading north through Bulldog Canyon, then back via the Hawes trails into Usery Mtn. Park. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to just ride to the start from home following the Queen's Ransom route. Of course doing that would add about 45 miles roundtrip of fast, flat, mostly canal riding.

I did a ride over at Hawes the day prior after a two week break for yet another health related setback. All good now. It was a tough ride, but I didn't feel as bad as I thought I may. So why not really see where I was at and go big.

I rolled out under the cover of darkness at 6a. I cut through the green belts of Power Ranch before linking into the canal system.

Germann Rd. underpass in Power Ranch.

Mesa city lights heading north on the canal.

Kara also opted to ride from home, but she doesn't live too far from the trailhead, so she rode towards me for some bonus miles. I thought we'd cross paths around mile 8 or so, but it ended up being a bit over 9 as I neared Guadalupe Rd, now in daylight.

We made good time and reached the Crismon curve trailhead about 10 minutes ahead of schedule and as we peered up Crismon we could see Sharon pedaling towards us with another rider, Sam. They both rode from where they were staying about 5 miles away. Nice to have all of us meetup from different parts of the city by pedaling there. What a concept.

There was an enthusiastic park volunteer at the trailhead telling us how he had chased a motorized rider through the park recently. FYI: these trail are multiuse and non-motorized, but Class 1 ebikes are allowed at Usery. It still blows my mind how a few individuals think the rules don't apply to them. It's not like there aren't motorized trails literally 2 miles up the road. Anyway, it was now time to get our main loop going and I was already sitting at 23+ miles, but barely 500' of gain. Ha!

It starts easy enough on the Levee trail.

Brittlebush are blooming all over right now. Photo by Sharon.

I rode most of the upper section of the Goldlink trail.

Sharon cresting the main climb on the Goldlink trail.

Goldlink was tough!! Fair amount of hike-a-bike for me, but it was still fun and I did ride some of the climbs.

Taking a moment to get my HR in check!! Photo by Kara.

Top of Goldlink looking east towards the Superstition Mtns.

Enjoying the short break atop Goldlink. Me, Kara, Sharon & Sam.

Had to really watch your speed on these loose, slightly off-camber turns. Photo by Sharon.

Sam rolling down from the high saddle.

Kara coming through.

Sharon rounding out the bunch.

Hike-a-bike train!!

Making our way into Bulldog Canyon.

One of the chundery downhills.

It's a popular OHV area too, we saw a couple groups while out there and most seemed surprised we were there on bikes. After a few short steep sections, it began to mellow out and became mostly downhill.

Assuming the position!! Photo by Sharon.

Not all the lines were chunky!! Photo by Sharon.

The scenery of the Goldfield Mtns. is quite spectacular.

Exiting Bulldog Canyon along the Bush Hwy.

A couple of paved miles leading back to Hawes and passing by the popular tube rental area for the Salt River.

Next up was a climb up the following trails: Scorpion, Maricopa Madness, Maricopa Trail, Bull Run and finally Talon. It's not steep, but averages about 200' per mile, while keeping an eye peeled for downhill traffic. It was now later in the day, a bit warm, so not too many other riders were out.

Cool section of the Maricopa Trail as it gets you off the pavement. Photo by Sharon.

Sharon on the same section of the Maricopa Trail.

We made our way onto Talon and I was more than ready to be done with the climbing. Most of this routes 3000'+ of gain was over a 25 mile stretch. I saw the group up ahead, but knew it wasn't quite the top of Talon, perhaps someone had a flat?? I was hitting the wall, legs heavy, but still grinding. By the time I caught up with the group, my head was down, focused on turning the cranks. As I neared, they told me to watch out for a Desert Tortoise that was in the trail!! I never saw it, thought it was a rock and thankfully didn't ride over it!!

Yeah, it was THAT close!! Oops. Photo by Sharon.

I wasn't climbing the trail much faster.

Time to mosey back into the desert. Photo by Sharon.

Down through a thick stand of Saguaros on Pass Mtn. trail.

<PHOENIX that-a-way.

Nice view of Pass Mtn. from Usery Park.

Final group shot as we finish the loop. Kara and I would head west from here, back the way we came.

I passed through the Gateway Airport area on my way home.

Dopplar radar about a mile from home with a hot air balloon gliding above.

Strava link.

That ended up being a big day and a ton of pedaling with almost 45 miles of flat riding. The loop itself was cool, but definitely some work. Thanks for putting it together, Sharon.