I've been at the atv parking lot just before the LPL trailhead. Pretty big hill to the trailhead and I didn't think the Subaru would climb the out. But it can be done.
BCT Little Pan loop info
A friend wants to ride the Little Pan loop from Rock Springs. As I looked back on Strava, all the rides I took that way (from rock springs) stopped short of the Little Pan Loop. I see on Trailforks there is a trailhead at Little Pan. Is that accessible in a regular car? If so,I was thinking about a shuttle, starting at Rock Springs and ending, after the loop, at Little Pan trailhead. Trying to avoid the 24 mile out and back, as I remember , it was a workout. Any suggestions or advice is appreciated. Thanks
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
Pan Loop is absolutely reachable from Rock Springs. It's a great ride, IMO, but yeah it's not an easy day on the bike.
The parking lot at Table Mesa is reachable by car. I've driven to to it in a Ford Escape.
From there it's 2 miles of pretty easy trail to the southern end of Pan Loop.
Edit: the lot I'm referring to here is the one between Windmill Valley segment (south) and Table Mesa segment (north). Forwhatever reason, TF doesn't indicate that portion of Table Mesa rd on the map, but if you switch to satellite mode, it's clearly visible, and is passable by car.
I've never tried to park at the lot indicated along the east side of the Pan Loop.
The parking lot at Table Mesa is reachable by car. I've driven to to it in a Ford Escape.
From there it's 2 miles of pretty easy trail to the southern end of Pan Loop.
Edit: the lot I'm referring to here is the one between Windmill Valley segment (south) and Table Mesa segment (north). Forwhatever reason, TF doesn't indicate that portion of Table Mesa rd on the map, but if you switch to satellite mode, it's clearly visible, and is passable by car.
I've never tried to park at the lot indicated along the east side of the Pan Loop.
If you're talking about the 5 miles of Table Mesa that leads directly up to the middle of the Little Pan loop, you need a Jeep or something offroad capable to make it up that. There is a lot of blown out, steep legit Jeep road tread on that stretch. I'd park at the bottom by Windmill Valley that Impetus describes above.
The east side parking lot is where I was.
Couldn't see any road to the southern lot.
Thx.
Couldn't see any road to the southern lot.
Thx.
The east side parking lot is where I was.
Couldn't see any road to the southern lot.
Thx.
thanks. It sounds like this is probably the lot I need to park at as we do not have two four-wheel-drive vehiclesPan Loop is absolutely reachable from Rock Springs. It's a great ride, IMO, but yeah it's not an easy day on the bike.
The parking lot at Table Mesa is reachable by car. I've driven to to it in a Ford Escape.
From there it's 2 miles of pretty easy trail to the southern end of Pan Loop.
Edit: the lot I'm referring to here is the one between Windmill Valley segment (south) and Table Mesa segment (north). Forwhatever reason, TF doesn't indicate that portion of Table Mesa rd on the map, but if you switch to satellite mode, it's clearly visible, and is passable by car.
I've never tried to park at the lot indicated along the east side of the Pan Loop.
Thanks everybody for their input. I would hate to go out there and get stuck.
[One more question for you. When I was mentioning riding the little pond loop several people said it was very confusing to follow. Any experience or suggestions about that?
I do not find it hard to follow, in general. Like all BCT crossing the Agua Fria can be weird, because the trail dumps into the sandy river-bottom, and you kinda have to 'look' for the trail on the other side. The northern-most transition involves a short section of jeep-road. Maybe a half mile? Consult trailforks and watch for the trail on your left at the top of a steep hill. There maybe (?) is a carsonite signpost there?
Take your phone. TF does a good job helping.
Take your phone. TF does a good job helping.
I will just say that the only reason I know the condition of the road mentioned above, was because I got lost on this section and ended up riding that back to the interstate. Pay close attention crossing the river bed, like Impetus says. I somehow missed the trail on the other side the first time I rode that section, and ended up bushwhacking through some pretty nasty stuff. My phone didn't work down in that valley or else I probably could have found my way out.
There are also a couple road crossings that it's easy to miss the trail on the other side, because it's through a parking lot / primitive campsite (maybe?) and not very well marked. I can see why people say that section is confusing.
There are also a couple road crossings that it's easy to miss the trail on the other side, because it's through a parking lot / primitive campsite (maybe?) and not very well marked. I can see why people say that section is confusing.
Kinda-sorta directions to the parkinglot between Windmill Valley and Table Mesa. Exit I-17 at Table Mesa Rd, take the left turn a ways past the Cemex Plant to a large lot on your right (The P on the far left of the screenshot.) I've seen passenger cars and #VanLife'ers out there. From there, its 2 miles to the southernmost "Y" of the Pan Loop.
I have ridden this 2 miles a bunch, as well as passed by the described parking lot- One of my favorite BCT rides is to park at Emery-Henderson and ride up to the South LPL "Y" as as an Out-n-Back.
There's debate on which direction is preferable. TrailForks suggests CCW, that's usually the way I've done it, but I have ridden both legs individually "backwards" and didn't feel like it was a mistake.
![Brown Bedrock Grey Map Outcrop]()
I have ridden this 2 miles a bunch, as well as passed by the described parking lot- One of my favorite BCT rides is to park at Emery-Henderson and ride up to the South LPL "Y" as as an Out-n-Back.
There's debate on which direction is preferable. TrailForks suggests CCW, that's usually the way I've done it, but I have ridden both legs individually "backwards" and didn't feel like it was a mistake.
Thanks for the directions to the parking lot. That sounds like the way for us to go. I feel better about the northern part of the trail (and river crossing) as have done that several times. I just wasn’t sure about the loop but with shuttling re your directions we have extra time and energy to explore. Thanks again!
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Mountain Bike Reviews Forum
A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Top Contributors this Month
View All
ilmfat
831 Replies
DIRTJUNKIE
449 Replies
Sparticus
360 Replies
Recommended Communities
