I was wonder if you guys could provide a list of trails that require progressive skills in the valley. I've been to the trail guide thread but the rating system are hard to sort through and are sometimes skewed by seasoned riders and hard to gage on how difficult the trail actually is. I'm thinking a list of the more common trails listed in such a way where if you can clean most of the trail, then you'll be ready for the next one from sidewalk trail to the most technical stuff. Might help the new guys like myself get started.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to all those that contributed. For those that don't want to read through the post, I've copied dgangi's list on 02/17/09:
Green:
Reach 11
Papago Loops
Usery Park (Usery Loop, Moonrock, etc.)
Cave Buttes
Desert Classic, from ramadas to the water tank
McDowell Mtn Park Race Loops - Sport, Long
Trail 100, from 7th Ave to 7th St
Pemberton loop
Pima/Dynamite
Estrella Race Loops
Thunderbird Park
Blue:
McDowell Mtn Park Race Loop - Tech loop (only for the drop-in and climb out)
Desert Classic coast-to-coast
SoMo East/West loops
Trail 100, from Dreamy Draw to Tatum
Dixie Mine
McDowell's - lower trails (Lost Dog, Quartz, etc)
Javelina
Hawes/Mine Loop/Twisted Sister
Trail 100 coast-to-coast, for your first big XC beatdown (7th St to Dreamy Draw being more advanced than the rest)
Javelina-Mormon Loop up/down
Blue/Black:
Black Canyon Trail "lollipop loop", for your next big XC beatdown (not too technical, but very remote, very long, and very tiring)
Goat Camp out-and-back XC (use caution on lower sections)
McDowell passes - Windgate/Sunrise/Bell, for the ultimate XC beatdown (use caution on the west side of Bell and Windgate passes)
T100 offshoots -- Trail 8, Trail 220, Mine Trail, Rocky Ridge/Mine Drop, Trail 306/Shaw Butte (front side)
Black:
Pass Mountain
Hawes - tower drop
National
Corona de Loma
Trail 306/Shaw Butte (back side)
Geronimo
24th St/Mormon
Double-Black:
DD-area tech - Cheesegrater, Yuri's Folly, Hairball, etc.
Telegraph Pass
Holbert
Kiwanis
Viejo (Old Man)
Cochise
Alta/Bajada
Old Lady Ames
Goat Camp full loop
As far as the difficulty classifications go, here's my definition:
Green = generally "easy" trail with no long sustained climbs or very rocky sections. Mostly double-track or wide singletrack. These trails are safe for beginners.
Blue = moderate trail with some rock gardens, moderately steep grades, sustained climbs, exposure, switchbacks, and/or long distance. These trails can also be remote with little or no bail-out points. Not recommended for beginners but OK for the moderately experienced rider.
Blue/Black = generally blue with some short black sections OR excess distance. Advanced riders will be OK, but intermediate riders will need to use caution.
Black = difficult trail with plenty of technical areas, exposure, tight switchbacks, sustained climbs, and steep terrain. Only recommended for advanced riders. Wearing armor is a good idea.
Double-black = extremely difficult trail with very steep terrain, chutes, tight switchbacks, exposure, and drops. Even experienced riders can be expected to walk sections of this trail. Armor should be worn.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to all those that contributed. For those that don't want to read through the post, I've copied dgangi's list on 02/17/09:
Green:
Reach 11
Papago Loops
Usery Park (Usery Loop, Moonrock, etc.)
Cave Buttes
Desert Classic, from ramadas to the water tank
McDowell Mtn Park Race Loops - Sport, Long
Trail 100, from 7th Ave to 7th St
Pemberton loop
Pima/Dynamite
Estrella Race Loops
Thunderbird Park
Blue:
McDowell Mtn Park Race Loop - Tech loop (only for the drop-in and climb out)
Desert Classic coast-to-coast
SoMo East/West loops
Trail 100, from Dreamy Draw to Tatum
Dixie Mine
McDowell's - lower trails (Lost Dog, Quartz, etc)
Javelina
Hawes/Mine Loop/Twisted Sister
Trail 100 coast-to-coast, for your first big XC beatdown (7th St to Dreamy Draw being more advanced than the rest)
Javelina-Mormon Loop up/down
Blue/Black:
Black Canyon Trail "lollipop loop", for your next big XC beatdown (not too technical, but very remote, very long, and very tiring)
Goat Camp out-and-back XC (use caution on lower sections)
McDowell passes - Windgate/Sunrise/Bell, for the ultimate XC beatdown (use caution on the west side of Bell and Windgate passes)
T100 offshoots -- Trail 8, Trail 220, Mine Trail, Rocky Ridge/Mine Drop, Trail 306/Shaw Butte (front side)
Black:
Pass Mountain
Hawes - tower drop
National
Corona de Loma
Trail 306/Shaw Butte (back side)
Geronimo
24th St/Mormon
Double-Black:
DD-area tech - Cheesegrater, Yuri's Folly, Hairball, etc.
Telegraph Pass
Holbert
Kiwanis
Viejo (Old Man)
Cochise
Alta/Bajada
Old Lady Ames
Goat Camp full loop
As far as the difficulty classifications go, here's my definition:
Green = generally "easy" trail with no long sustained climbs or very rocky sections. Mostly double-track or wide singletrack. These trails are safe for beginners.
Blue = moderate trail with some rock gardens, moderately steep grades, sustained climbs, exposure, switchbacks, and/or long distance. These trails can also be remote with little or no bail-out points. Not recommended for beginners but OK for the moderately experienced rider.
Blue/Black = generally blue with some short black sections OR excess distance. Advanced riders will be OK, but intermediate riders will need to use caution.
Black = difficult trail with plenty of technical areas, exposure, tight switchbacks, sustained climbs, and steep terrain. Only recommended for advanced riders. Wearing armor is a good idea.
Double-black = extremely difficult trail with very steep terrain, chutes, tight switchbacks, exposure, and drops. Even experienced riders can be expected to walk sections of this trail. Armor should be worn.
