This parking area is used primarily for the very popular Hieroglyphs hiking trail and the Lost Goldmine hiking trail which connects with Peralta Road seven miles to the East. It is also the preferred access to the wonderful system of intermediate and advanced mountain bike trails built and maintained over the last several years by local riders and trail builders. The Lost Goldmine trail is a very technical mountain bike ride that connects with the fast and fun Cougar Trail and the tight and twisting K-Trail a bit farther East. From the K-Trail you can ride the very challenging Tech Trail or enjoy the climbs and descents offered by the Vortex Trail. Off of the Vortex Trail is the newly built Gila Monster Trail (still under construction in March of 2012). To the South, running roughly East-West is a double track trail called the Old Horse Trail. Off of this to the South are the Quartz Ridge Trail. Secret Trail is also accessed from Old Horse Trail and Snowbird Trail is off of Secret trail (if you can find them). Altogether there are almost twenty miles of challenging trails to explore in this system. Most trails are well marked at the trail junctions (accept for Secret Trail of course).
 | Holy Hill And Gila Monster |   | 7 mi |
 | K-trail & Vortex | | 10 mi |
| Lost Goldmine & Cougar Loop | | 4 mi |
 | Secret, Tech & K | | 9 mi |
K-Trail is an awesome ride crossing a perfect U arroyo many times as you descend away from the nearby Superstition Mountains. Clouds stack up and add to the precipitation making this lush Sonoran desert terrain.
| ThankI take Cougar to Cloudview and then descend K-Trail. Micro Moab is a small tech rock garden. My favorite Phoenix area trails.
A nice loop with several interesting features including easy rock garden and fast technical descents.
| ThankK Trail is one of the best in the state. And of course that's saying something. Don't tell too many folks about this trail network hidden gem! Enjoy
| ThankOutstanding trail system. Clearly not as well known as others in greater Phx ie a "hidden gem" still. Often twisty and tight with spiky things very close (seriously, watch out for CHOLLA). Lost Goldmine has a few hard Techy steep (but short) ups. Scenery top-notch (ok, not Sedona but damn good...). Go but don't tell too many people :)
| ThankPoorly marked. I would say 50% of trail is too difficult for the average mountain biker. Much more difficult than other trails in the area.
| ThankLast time I was out there the trails were ridable, but now its very loose with large rocks that will knock you off your line, cactus this time a year (spring) are everywhere and its super hard not too get one in your tire, as I rode today march 4th 2017 the trail markers are no where too be found unless you go in the way back where you find your self on another trail I started out on cloudview because it was easy, then I found my self on k trail then gila and when I went far south I was on diamondback ...
| ThankWish there was more markers because you can find yourself lost quickly as there is no phone service out there. It was enjoyable however you plan on going out there please bring twice as much water as you think because when you think your heading back it takes you for a loop and your heading further into the desert
Maps are available on line, print one.
ThankFairly loose at the moment. It's fun, but I had a hard time keeping going.
| Thankgreat secluded trails, GPS coverage is a little murky.
| ThankI've been wanting to try these trails out for awhile but was worried about how busy the parking would be. I went after work today and there were two cars in the parking lot and I didn't see anyone on the trails. It was great riding. Everything was rideable but there were some semi-technical stuff but it was fun and the desert views were great. Definitely going back soon.
| ThankFun connecting trails that link with other gold canyon area trails. Lots of Cactus and thorns so make sure you have extra tubes. Beautiful setting and perfect place for a morning ride. Not too crowded.
| ThankI like the wilderness of this trail, far removed as you take K-Trail loop. Their isn't much downhill, but still plenty of fun and challenging obstacles throughout. Some sections can be a rocky and tight growth abounds on the trail.
This past Sunday, I rode up fast on a full-grown steer. He spooked me being so large, but fortunately he did not charge.
| ThankSo upon arriving at the parking lot, its clean and people are friendly as for as i know they have the entrances at couger (right) And hieroglyphs (left) the hiero is immediately rock gardens so i would advanced, but why im here i see the bridges in the picture can someone tell me where the f it is????
| 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!
| ThankI love K--it's kind of the heart of the trail system, but it's Tech that really makes me want to come back. I could hit those obstacles over and over again and never tire of it
| ThankHuge fun! Some of the arroyo exits are steep and a few have obstacles thrown in for good measure. Think Kessel Run on steroids.
| ThankHoly Hill may have you saying "Holy (something else) if you climb it from south to north--it's a pretty tough grade, but rideable and rewarding. Gila Monster is just plain mildly technical fun.
| ThankThis system has just about everything going for it. It has tremendous variety of terrain, trails ranging from fast and flowy to low speed technical fests and everything in between. All of this is set against the amazing backdrop of the Superstition Wilderness. I think I could ride this network daily for years and never tire of it.
| ThankThis trail may be the most fun trail in the state. It crosses arroyos 90 degrees from the slope often making for a swoopy ride. Many drops and whoops. Beautiful desert scene with the Superstitions just feet away to the north. Best ridden in winter or early spring when it blooms. This trail is in a Saguaro cactus forest. Other plants include mesquite trees, palo verde, acacia, tasty wolfberries, cholla, prickly pear cactus, creosote, hackberries and most numerous salt bush.
| ThankMany trails, something for everyone.
Most trails are MTB trails. Quartz Ridge and Lost Gold Mine are multi use. K-Trail and Cougar and more fun than multi use Cloudview. Can bloom very well in early spring as rain is enhanced by the mountains.
Snowbird is a new (2012) trail starting either at the entry to Secret Trail; or off the road about 1/4 mile South of the entry to Secret Trail. A sign and cairin ar on the road. Follow the access descent thru the wash and up; turn left and follow the old horse trail approx 1.5 miles; then at a cairin and sign, go left to continue on Snowbird. Out n back to the top of Transition Mtn; great views; worth the techy climbs.
| 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