The ride begins right from the edge of town and can be accessed via a quick pedal from downtown. The trail starts off mellow before the steepness of the hillside kicks up a bit as you climb higher onto the mesa. That said, the climbing is quite mellow on this loop, logging a mere 950 vertical feet in 17 miles round-trip.

As yoi ride, you'll note numerous trails bisecting this loop, which provide the possibility to shorten it if you need. But if you get all the way to the southwestern end of this loop, you'll be greeted by the most incredible views, thanks to a steep hillside that's been carved away over the eons by the stream below.

From here, the trail experiences a few more rocks as it rolls along the top of the ridge, but overall, this ride is extremely non-technical. It's the quintessential cross-country mountain bike ride.

The descent off the ridge does have its moments, with fast, flowing turns through the woods, but it's over pretty quick and—due to the mellow grades—is still fairly pedally. While perhaps Phil's has better downhill rewards than Peterson Ridge, this is still an absolute cross-country mountain biking gem that you need to get out and ride!