This is a short, fun but pretty technical ride. The technical part is the fact that it starts out with a ride on the Lost Goldmine trail which is a very rocky trail built for hiking. The fun part is the South-West ride on the Cougar Trail which is an overall downhill ride with a lot of up and down dips through arroyos. Start out in the parking lot and head up the hill on the main trail North towards the Hieroglyph hiking trail. Once you are up the hill take the right fork marked as the Lost Goldmine Trail. This trail is very technical and opens the question of when does a technical intermediate trail becomes an advanced trail. Follow this for about two miles to a well marked right hand turn onto the Cougar trail. This trail is pretty short but challenging with a nice two foot drop into an arroyo near the end. It will t-junction at the trail leading you on an easy 1.3 mile trail back North (right turn) to the Cloudview parking lot.
A nice loop with several interesting features including easy rock garden and fast technical descents.
| ThankGreat trails! Not my favorite in the Gold Canyon system, but excellent nonetheless, which speaks highly of the system as a whole. You really can't go wrong in this network!
| ThankThis trail crosses the arroyos many times, maybe 30! The builder looked for smooth transitions where you can rip down one side and roll up the other. The crossings vary in elevation change 10-25'. Most are pretty smooth but some are rocky.
| ThankPlants in the area include creosote, wolfberry, cholla cactus, Foothills Palo Verde, ocotillo