Note: This is part of a continuing series highlighting local trail systems far removed from mainstream destinations.
“Hey bro, we’re heading to Yuma to ride for the weekend, you wanna come?”
“Can’t, but have fun on the quad and say hi to all the dez’rt buds at Wells.”
“No man, we’re riding MTBs.”
(pause)
“Uhhh…no dude, you’re f’n crazy.”
Directly twenty miles east of the Grays Wells, rolling sand dunes are replaced by rolling hills. Here, the Laguna Mountains border the southwest corner of the US Army’s Yuma Proving Grounds. Word had it that there were miles of singletrack to be had in the Yuma area. So while everyone else was spending the long weekend at the dunes, we got our ride on.
The trailhead for the area is adjacent to the county transfer station on E County 5th St. The land here is barren, rugged, and at times pure scorched earth.
Look around and you’ll see a few ocotillos, barrel cactus, and cholla.
Other times you’ll see fields of dark glazed rocks sitting on top of the sand colored ground.
A surreal landscape that leaves you at times wondering what it would be like to ride on the moon.
Nearly pure desolation with just the sound of tires crushing over rocky ground.
There’s no question these trails were built by MTBers.
Similar to the Las Vegas Cottonwood trail system, these trails aren’t buffed out.
Retaining a rough & rustic edge about them, they’re a welcome change to sanitized trails that see tens of thousands of users each year.
A shallow layer of loose stone is ever present, but the hardened ground most always provides traction.
“Mountains” is a misnomer for an area that is mainly comprised of drainages and ridgelines.
Sugarloaf Peak is the prominent butte-like feature that acts as a good reference point.
The crisscrossing network isn’t signed, but two small cairns spaced two feet apart usually mark when the singletrack veers off an ATV or Jeep road.
Rhinos and Mules stick to their ATV tracks and motos don’t seem to frequent the area, so the singletrack stays narrow and demands your full attention.
Finding trailtread much over a foot in width is like a celebrity citing in Topeka, Kansas.
This particular day we put in 15 miles over 4 hours and didn’t even ride a quarter of the trail system.
Suffice to say, most will never consider Yuma as MTB destination. But it’s hard to argue against two trail networks, totaling 50+ miles of dedicated singletrack, which can keep one occupied for 2-3 days. The Sugarloaf trail system has been in place for well over a decade and will still be quietly there at the end of the next decade while other trail systems go extinct. Stop in at Johnny Yuma’s Bicycles on 4th Street for a map that will help keep your sanity. All it takes is an open mind for some wide open riding.
Laguna Mountains (Sugarloaf Peak)
Yuma, AZ
40+ miles of singletrack
