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Tags:
Level: Intermediate
Length: 9 mi (14.5 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Loop
Elevation: +1,119/ -952 ft
Total: 21 riders
Mountain Biking Perimeter Trail
#135 of 417 mountain bike trails in Arizona
Starting from Miller Canyon this trail climbs toughly toward Carr Canyon, make sure and close the gate behind you on your way towards Carr Canyon. Don't worry, you'll be ready for a break upon reaching the gate. This trail is very rocky and technical. Once you cross the stream bed and reach Carr Canyon Road ride up the road for aprx. 2 more miles. You'll see a "Perimeter Trail/ John Cooper/Miller Peak" Trailhead Sign on the left side of road just before a sharp bend in the road. Take this exit and follow the John Cooper Trail signs, (clearly marked at each fork by Forest Service signs) as the Miller Peak Trail is off limits to cyclists...:( This trail will dump you about a mile and a half up the dirt road from where you're parked. Enjoy the fast trip down!!!
First added by hurdaddy on Nov 27, 2005. Last updated May 10, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: unknown
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: unknown
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
From US Highway AZ92 turn right onto Miller Canyon Road (aprx 7-9 miles south of Sierra Vista). Drive aprx. 2-3 miles until pavement ends and park in dirt parking area on left. You'll see the trailhead across the road from the parking area marked with a sign.
Review below gives a great overview of the trail, starting from Miller Canyon is the way to go, the trail is more technical than most other trails in the SV area. The climb to the John Cooper trailhead isn't that bad but can be pretty grueling. Keep an eye out for horse's and hikers while on the trail as there isn't much room to pass.
| ThankNice trail. Rode the entire thing on my cross bike.
| ThankStarting from Miller Canyon, you traverse the mountain side for four miles ending in Carr Canyon. There are plenty of climbs and descents over the four miles. Terrain is rocky and requires some technical skills to climb. Early in the trail there are also switch backs, that tend to sneak up on you. There is also exposure almost the entire trail. That said it is both fun and challenging.
Once in Carr Canyon, you climb a dirt road for approximately 2 miles to the shared trail heads for Cooper and a foot trail. Cooper traverses back to Miller Canyon and is almost three miles. It starts with a short climb, then turns to a descent starting with switchbacks right, followed by a series of "steps" that require your attention. Again this trail has exposure starting at the switchbacks and ending once you reach the upper Miller trail head.
A fun add on is taking the Miller Canyon Creek Side trail rather than the dirt road back to the lower parking lot. This trail resembles riding in the South East, as it twists through trees following a creek yield two very fun water crossings. There are some areas of loos dirt, and plenty of rocks to keep things interesting.
| ThankDon't forget to stop by the bike shop Sun N Spokes in Sierra Vista for a map. Great staff great people.
| ThankIf you are not conditioned for climbing long single track uphill rocky grades, be ready to do some walking. The downhill sections are fun but rocky. If you are not careful you will crash. Haha. There are a lot of uneven hairpins and switch backs. Fun but very demanding.
| ThankVery rocky
| Thank