FATMAP by Strava

Usery Mountain Park: Easy Loop

A combination of smooth dirt singletrack and gravel paths creates a fun XC loop through Usery Mountain Park.

Mountain Biking Easy

Distance
18 km
Ascent
143 m
Descent
143 m
Duration
1-2 hrs
Low Point
519 m
High Point
618 m
Gradient
Usery Mountain Park: Easy Loop Map

Usery Mountain Regional Park forms part of the green space barrier that hems in the northeastern corner of the Phoenix Metro Area. Despite being located right next to the popular mountain bike trails in the Hawes Trail System, Usery often gets overlooked by many mountain bikers.

Description

It's a shame, really. Usery is home to a gorgeous campground that boasts 73 campsites with stunning views of the mountains to the north, all while being surrounded by ancient saguaro cacti. Granted, Usery doesn't have quite the density of trails that McDowell or Brown Mountain boast, but you can still piece together a few high-value loops through this regional park that can be pedaled right from your campsite.

The loop mapped here is a non-technical cross-country ride through the arroyos and flat desert on the south side of Usery Mountain Park. The ride starts off on a narrow, sinuous singletrack known as the Lost Sheep Trail, swooping and flowing through the cacti on classic gravelly Phoenix singletrack.

As you reach the south side of the loop, the route as mapped hops on a gated gravel road that runs along a dyke above a mostly-dry channel. If you'd prefer to have a bit more challenge, there is a singletrack-ish trail that runs lower down in the channel that may or may not be waterlogged: it depends on the time of the year.

The southeastern corner of the loop also contains a mixture of singletrack and gravel doubletrack, and it can easily be cut off if you want to shorten the ride.

After picking up the Ruidoso Trail, the rest of the ride follows fantastic non-technical singletrack. The flowy trails will have you grinning from ear to ear as you dodge the jumping cholla and rocket in and out of the small arroyos.

After looping back north on the County Line Trail, the return back to the west on Meridian and Blevins is a touch rockier than the trails you've ridden thus far. The rocks are still easily navigable, and this route overall is still deserving of an "Easy" technicality rating.

Once onto Chainfruit to return to Lost Sheep, the narrow, smooth singletrack is back for a fun finish to this beautiful cross country ride.

Difficulty

Easy

Mostly smooth and non-technical singletrack with unavoidable obstacles 2in/5cm tall or less. Avoidable obstacles may be present. Ideal for beginner riders.

Low Exposure

1 out of 4

The path is on completely flat land and potential injury is limited to falling over.

Remoteness

1 out of 4

Close to help in case of emergency.

Best time to visit

all year round

Features

  • Flow
  • Picturesque
  • Singletrack
  • Rock Gardens

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area