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TucsonMTB
Site Admin
Joined: Jul 28, 2007
Posts: 331
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 Posted:
Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:22 am |
 
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Cool! We had three volunteers in one system, love it.
Kimmeh, az420, and AZTtrippers input were all edited into Kimmeh's writeup.
This topic is now locked for reference only. If anyone has any input or questions don't hesitate to send me a PM.
Thanx! |
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The fuzz.
Last edited by TucsonMTB on Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:46 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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kimmeh
Jr. Writer
Joined: May 17, 2008
Posts: 215
Location: Downtown Tucson
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Sun Nov 23, 2008 9:15 pm |
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Title: Sweetwater
Type: Cross Country
Level: Beginner with a little bit of Intermediate sprinkled in
Description: This area is a decent-sized system of numerous trails and loops of fairly easy to moderate terrain to make your ride as enjoyable as you want. The entire area is surrounded by houses, so there is little worry about getting lost. The system consists of .5 to 2 mile trails which can be ridden in several different combination or directions allowing for a 2 mile to a 16 mile ride. The 16 mile ride can be done in 1.5 hrs.
One popular route is to start from the TH with a right turn to the Saguaro Vista Trail, climb over the saddle staying to the right and take the Sun Circle and Black Rock Loops clockwise. Black Rock Loop has a small sustained climb when heading in the clockwise direction with a nice subtle downhill section to gain some speed as a reward. Combining the Sun Circle Loop and the Black Rock Loop and heading back down Saguaro Vista to the parking lot is a great beginner’s ride.
For additional riding take the Lost Arrow Trail off the Saquaro Vista trail south (to the right when heading back down towards the parking lot) to head off to the other trails.
The Lost Arrow Trail (can you find the arrow?) is all sustained climbing with a couple of small wash crossings. From the end of the Lost Arrow Trail, you can either take The Spine to the left or head straight on the Homestead Trail, which has access to the Red Canyon Trail and a couple more wash crossings. The Red Canyon Trail has a small rocky section that is good for intermediate riders, but not recommended for those who are just beginning. It's short and walkable if desired. From there you can either turn left and head down the Ocotillo Hill Trail back to The Spine or go straight into the very scenic Red Tail Ridge Trail (with 2 more wash crossings at the end) to the lower end of the Spine. Either way you would then take The Spine back to the fun and mostly downhill Wildflower Ridge Trail with a couple of nice little switchbacks (one of them in a slightly rocky section) back down to the Roller Coaster Trail and to the parking lot.
Another route is to turn left out of the TH and ascend up Wildflower Ridge, riding all the trails on the south side of The Spine first, then dropping down Lost Arrow for the two back loops and a nice run down Saguaro Vista back to the parking lot. Other variations include taking The Spine multiple times to ensure you ride every trail in the network.
**Please be advised that there are several tight switchbacks and turns that require control and awareness. If you carry too much speed into certain areas you will be surprised with, as AZTtripper likes to say, Shazzams! Ride it slower the first time to learn where these turns are. This is a multi-user trail so please be cautious and courteous of hikers, horse riders, and other bikers.
Directions to TH: From I-10, exit Camino del Cerro / Ruthrauff head west on El Camino del Cerro past Silverbell for 2.8 miles to Tortolita Rd. Turn left (south) on Tortolita and drive until it comes to a dead-end. There is a dirt parking lot through a gate on the right. The TH is at the end of the parking lot on the right. If coming from Silverbell, turn West on Camino del Cerro (between Grant and Ina) to Tortolita Rd. The TH is the star to the top right on the map.
THE MAP: (full size: http://www.sdmb.org/TrailDesc/Sweetwater-Map.pdf
Pics:
Some of the general terrain
Left takes you to the Sun Circle Loop
Sun Circle Loop
Looking back on some of the Lost Arrow Trail
Beginning of rocky section on Red Canyon Trail
One of the switchbacks on Wildflower Ridge Trail[/url] |
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G-Cracker
Centurian
Joined: Aug 07, 2007
Posts: 1077
Location: Live: Eastside - Work: Westside
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Fri Dec 12, 2008 4:01 pm |
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Thanks for the great update, everyone. Just FYI, I "borrowed" your awesome description and pictures for SDMB's trail pages... I'm in the process of updating them now. Just wanted to say "thanks!"
www.sdmb.org/Trail-Sweetwater.html |
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2003 KHS Comp ST converted to SS - 2002 Titus Switchblade
SDMB Board member and Webmaster
www.graemehuntdesign.com |
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