Silver_Slug and I decided to make a run at the McDowell Towers on Saturday morning from the Fountain Hills side. We had to bail at the saddle (time constraints) but it still was a serious lesson in climbing. The pics don't do the steepness justice... I'd figure some sections were 22% or better.
Almost made it... FH Towers
titusbro
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Event, sorry.
It's just north of Sunflower. Two roads to start, one gives you an extra 800' or so of climbing. I've gone up FR626 several times and it's a good, long slog.
Mt. Ord is the closest, coolest peak to the Valley (and of course this simply reinforces the idea that this is a Valley board, which it isn't. Really!).
p.
It's just north of Sunflower. Two roads to start, one gives you an extra 800' or so of climbing. I've gone up FR626 several times and it's a good, long slog.
Mt. Ord is the closest, coolest peak to the Valley (and of course this simply reinforces the idea that this is a Valley board, which it isn't. Really!).
p.
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I'd like to sign up for the C group then. I rode with a group from this forum once before (Sunrise trail) and learned where I belong on climbs... waayy back.Silver_Slug said:
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Steeper than Shaw Butte?
Anybody know if that trail is steeper than the road to the top of Shaw Butte? The Shaw Butte trail is one that I do every 2-3 months to keep my legs in climbing shape and there are a few sections on that trail where I am barely spinning in a 22/32t combination. It hurts me.
That smooth cement looks like fun going down. Going up must suck, but at least the rear tire has a nice solid contact patch and won't spin out.
Anyway, if there is an organized ride up to the top of Thompson Peak...count me in. I'm a glutton for punishment.
Thx...Doug
Anybody know if that trail is steeper than the road to the top of Shaw Butte? The Shaw Butte trail is one that I do every 2-3 months to keep my legs in climbing shape and there are a few sections on that trail where I am barely spinning in a 22/32t combination. It hurts me.
That smooth cement looks like fun going down. Going up must suck, but at least the rear tire has a nice solid contact patch and won't spin out.
Anyway, if there is an organized ride up to the top of Thompson Peak...count me in. I'm a glutton for punishment.
Thx...Doug
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Hmm, I wonder if I could ride that on a 32-17 gear??? It sounds like a whole lot of suffering which I like to inflict on myself for some strange reason.
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Look here, it appears that someone named C-Boz on the second page of reviews says it's possible to hit the towers from Pemberton. But hey, who knows if it's accurate.waltaz said:
http://trails.mtbr.com/cat/united-states-trails/trails-arizona/trail/PRD_164558_4513crx.aspx#reviews
Holy Crap
I've hiked that before, and the way I usually describe to people is that you can almost reach out in front of you while hiking up and touch the trail in front of you.
It is ungodly steep.
I remember walking part of it backwards just to use different muscles. And I do hike a lot, I have made it up Camelback (Echo Canyon) in 29 minutes before.
Richard
I've hiked that before, and the way I usually describe to people is that you can almost reach out in front of you while hiking up and touch the trail in front of you.
It is ungodly steep.
I remember walking part of it backwards just to use different muscles. And I do hike a lot, I have made it up Camelback (Echo Canyon) in 29 minutes before.
Richard
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·Fantastic pictures and you're both bad a$$. The paper sign...classic. I suppose you're committed once you put that in your pocket at home when you prep for the ride.
I'm game for this one.
I'm game for this one.
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I've been there. Would I do it again, prolly not.
If you head up there, I would seriously check you brake pads. After coming down this thing about months ago, I ended up with pads as sharp as razor blades due to metal-on-metal grinding. Riding down something this steep and long will do that to your brakes.
There is a sign posted on secured gate up on top that says "No Fishing or Swimming":skep:
If you head up there, I would seriously check you brake pads. After coming down this thing about months ago, I ended up with pads as sharp as razor blades due to metal-on-metal grinding. Riding down something this steep and long will do that to your brakes.
There is a sign posted on secured gate up on top that says "No Fishing or Swimming":skep:
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And you didn't get a pic of that Sam? I'm disappointed in you. That means you HAVE to do it again just for that reason. :thumbsup:u2metoo said:
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I know :madman: . I actually sat there for moment, trying to decide if I should snap a photo of it. I thought it was to much effort to post up just a picture of that, because the rest of the excursion certainly wasn't worth documenting.Crash_FLMB said:
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That sign should have made a lightbulb pop over your head 'bing!' "I need to take a pic of that!"
I still have those 26er tires for you too.
I still have those 26er tires for you too.
Hey any of you guys that went up to the top of thompsons peak radio towers,
My friends and I ride downhil/extreme freeride we noticed from satelite imagery that there appears to be some super steep rutted jeep trails coming down from the towers, did any of you guys see those?
My friends and I ride downhil/extreme freeride we noticed from satelite imagery that there appears to be some super steep rutted jeep trails coming down from the towers, did any of you guys see those?
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