It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 9:57 am

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 2 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 11:01 pm 
Offline
Moderately Obsessed
Moderately Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 23, 2008 11:09 pm
Posts: 1100
Location: Ramona
Given: 442 thanks
Received: 2590 thanks
Bike(s): RIP9, Nomad
Favorite Trails: Backcountry
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.

Image

Look around and you’ll see a few ocotillos, barrel cactus, and cholla.

Image

Other times you’ll see fields of dark glazed rocks sitting on top of the sand colored ground.

Image

A surreal landscape that leaves you at times wondering what it would be like to ride on the moon.

Image

Nearly pure desolation with just the sound of tires crushing over rocky ground.

Image

There’s no question these trails were built by MTBers.

Image

Similar to the Las Vegas Cottonwood trail system, these trails aren’t buffed out.

Image

Image

Retaining a rough & rustic edge about them, they’re a welcome change to sanitized trails that see tens of thousands of users each year.

Image

Image

Image

A shallow layer of loose stone is ever present, but the hardened ground most always provides traction.

Image

“Mountains” is a misnomer for an area that is mainly comprised of drainages and ridgelines.

Image

Sugarloaf Peak is the prominent butte-like feature that acts as a good reference point.

Image

Image

Image

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.

Image

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.

Image

Finding trailtread much over a foot in width is like a celebrity citing in Topeka, Kansas.

Image

This particular day we put in 15 miles over 4 hours and didn’t even ride a quarter of the trail system.

Image


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.

Image



Laguna Mountains (Sugarloaf Peak)
Yuma, AZ
40+ miles of singletrack

Image


Top
 Profile  
 
The following 12 users would like to thank GP_pilot for his or her post:
bajamtnbkr, Brian, Christ D., evdog, Gman, kreechan, PacMan, Ray Dolor, Robo, sierragoldens, Steven Tucker, tfitz
PostPosted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 10:20 am 
Offline
Active Participant
Active Participant

Joined: Fri Feb 13, 2009 5:32 pm
Posts: 125
Given: 0 thanks
Received: 68 thanks
nice!!!
a quick question sean. as i'm somewhat of a "greedy" rider(not really into up/down/up/down riding), there is any significant net climb, then net descent? i don't mind some of it, but not into pure rolling terrain.

nice scouting


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 2 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group