The Holy Hill By-Pass Trail was the newest trail in the Gold Canyon system as of April 2012. The Gila monster trail was listed as still under construction earlier in the year but seemed complete when I rode it. So these were both very young trails when I rode them at the beginning of April in 2012. From the Cloudview parking lot take the only trail and turn right after about 30 feet on the single track that heads South. Follow it past the sign marking Cougar Trail until it meets a jeep road. Turn right here for a short ride then take the next left on a double track. This is the shortcut to the Old Horse trail. Just after the climb out of the wash look to the left for the start of the Holy Hill By-Pass trail. This nice 3/4 mile single track climbs the hill and then descends to meet up with the Vortex trail. Turn left and climb over the hill until you come to a
sign marking the Gila Monster trail. Gila Monster is really great challenging 2 mile intermediate single track with a few technical features which includes a curved wooden track placed right after a steeply bermed left hand turn. It ends at a jeep
road. Turn right here and follow the this road to the South. You can turn right at the intersection with the K trail and follow it to the Old Horse trail or take the jeep road to Old Horse. Either way you go you need to turn right and follow Old Horse West to the sign marked "Parking" on the right. This road will take you back to the start of Holy Hill By-Pass. Drop down into the wash and return the way you came to get back to the Cloudview parking lot and the end of a nice seven mile ride.
Holy 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.
| Thank