[Crash_FLMB]

I'm looking to add miles and link some trail systems together. I remember the days of the Flight of the Pigs and that was great fun. I'd like to give something like that a try again but a different route. I was on Trailforks and noticed a connector between SoMo and Estrellas called the Maricopa Trail. I've ridden parts of the Maricopoa Trail but not this particular one. I'm curious if anyone else has? Is it easily navigated? Turkey Friday, I wouldn't mind starting at SoMo, riding it to the Estrellas for a short loop and then back to SoMo. I'm just curious if anyone has ridden this stretch before?

 

[fbear]

John Schillingsworth has ridden the whole trail and has a blog that shares all of the many rides he does. It might be on there. it’s called My Two Shillingsworth and if I was more tech savvy I could put a link here. Sorry.

 

[Crash_FLMB]

John Schillingsworth has ridden the whole trail and has a blog that shares all of the many rides he does. It might be on there. it’s called My Two Shillingsworth and if I was more tech savvy I could put a link here. Sorry.

I did find that and taking a gander at it. Schillingsworth is one amazing rider and very enjoyable to read.

 

[Karmatp]

I have looked at the Maricopa trail on trail forks as well and considered doing the same. The pic on the app showes the maricopa trail looking like a nasty rock garden for 13 miles. That pic alone has me not wanting to makes the trip from somo to Estrella, other than that, I would be all over it.

I rode the Ma-Ha-Tuak perimeter trail from central to where I could see the 202 and turned around, I ran out of time. I was the only dude on a bike on the perimeter trail, I came across a few hikers though. It’s a fun trail if you have never rode it.

 

[schillingsworth]

Ha! Thanks for the shout out. Here's the link to the full Maricopa Trail ride.

The section in question is tame. There's an easy connector trail from the far west end of National Trail at S. Mtn. over to a gate by the Loop 202 freeway. From there is pretty much all flat, canal type riding along the border of the Gila River Indian Community. It then follows some sort of path west, then goes through the nature preserve, Tres Rios. You'll pop out on some pavement by the racetrack then into Estrella Mtn. Park. Those trails are fine.

*I just saw the pic you referenced, I don't recall that at all. I'll assume I rode it and if it was that bad it's about as long as you can see in the pic and I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Crash_FLMB]

Ha! Thanks for the shout out. Here's the link to the full Maricopa Trail ride.

The section in question is tame. There's an easy connector trail from the far west end of National Trail at S. Mtn. over to a gate by the Loop 202 freeway. From there is pretty much all flat, canal type riding along the border of the Gila River Indian Community. It then follows some sort of path west, then goes through the nature preserve, Tres Rios. You'll pop out on some pavement by the racetrack then into Estrella Mtn. Park. Those trails are fine.

Thanks! The fella I will be riding with definitely is not ready for National. He's fairly new to riding. Good dude and we're working on his skills but National would blow him away. So I'm looking to start somewhere not too techy for him.

After reading your MT story on your blog, I'm inspired to ride from my place in Chandler to my in-laws in Surprise. I ride some of the MT by them when I go to visit. I've ridden the Estrellas years ago and the back side of the Estrellas. I can't remember the name of those trails but I really liked them, especially for the SS. I haven't ridden FINS yet but wouldn't mind hitting that sometime too.

Anyway, thanks for the info and great blog post.

 

[NorCal_In_AZ]

Thanks! The fella I will be riding with definitely is not ready for National. He's fairly new to riding. Good dude and we're working on his skills but National would blow him away. So I'm looking to start somewhere not too techy for him.

After reading your MT story on your blog, I'm inspired to ride from my place in Chandler to my in-laws in Surprise. I ride some of the MT by them when I go to visit. I've ridden the Estrellas years ago and the back side of the Estrellas. I can't remember the name of those trails but I really liked them, especially for the SS. I haven't ridden FINS yet but wouldn't mind hitting that sometime too.

Anyway, thanks for the info and great blog post.

The western section of National the connects to the MT is not like the rest of National.

 

[Crash_FLMB]

The western section of National the connects to the MT is not like the rest of National.

Yep, I've ridden all of National many times. I need to work on where to park over there so we can take off from there. The San Juan lot means driving all the way around the mountain from Chandler. If my buddy doesn't want to go, I may ride all of National, hit the MT, ride a lap at Estrella's and back. That would be a long day and I don't have Schillingsworth type legs at the moment.

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[schillingsworth]

Yep, I've ridden all of National many times. I need to work on where to park over there so we can take off from there. The San Juan lot means driving all the way around the mountain from Chandler. If my buddy doesn't want to go, I may ride all of National, hit the MT, ride a lap at Estrella's and back. That would be a long day and I don't have Schillingsworth type legs at the moment.

What about parking at the Vee Quiva Casino?? Just a thought, I have no experience parking there. Or the trailhead near 17th Ave & Chandler Blvd?? You could take the Bursera South trail to lower Bursera Canyon, cut through the neighborhood and link into the Gila Connector. Doesn't look to be much effort to do that.

 

[Crash_FLMB]

What about parking at the Vee Quiva Casino?? Just a thought, I have no experience parking there. Or the trailhead near 17th Ave & Chandler Blvd?? You could take the Bursera South trail to lower Bursera Canyon, cut through the neighborhood and link into the Gila Connector. Doesn't look to be much effort to do that.

Checking out the map in more detail and that's nose the plan. Thanks for the suggestion Schillingsworth.

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[Crash_FLMB]

Checking out the map in more detail and that's nose the plan. Thanks for the suggestion Schillingsworth.

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Stupid auto correct on the phone. The bursera and gila trails are now the plan. Launching from Chandler and 19th parking lot.

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[schillingsworth]

Stupid auto correct on the phone. The bursera and gila trails are now the plan. Launching from Chandler and 19th parking lot.

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FYI: Bursera proper is a very difficult climb, steep. If you want to stay in that area of the park linking to National, take the beginning of Pyramid to Gila. Gila is a much more favorable climb.

 

[azjonboy]

If on a SS, Bursera climb is definitley! Not your friend

 

[Crash_FLMB]

FYI: Bursera proper is a very difficult climb, steep. If you want to stay in that area of the park linking to National, take the beginning of Pyramid to Gila. Gila is a much more favorable climb.

Thanks for info Schillingsworth. This worked out perfect. Had a nice 44 mile ride today. Up Gila to National to MT through the wetlands, to the race track, small lap at Estrella's and back.

I'm cooked but that was fantastic. My in-laws live in Surprise so my next long one is going to be SoMo to Surprise. I'd like to make that in 1 day but that may be a bit much. Not quit sure but need to check the mileage on it.

Thanks again!

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[tjkm]

Sounds like a heck of a ride, nice work.