×
|
Rate it:
Tags:
Level: Beginner
Length: 10 mi (16.1 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Loop
Elevation: +507/ -443 ft
Total: 107 riders
Mountain Biking Estrella Mountain Park
#72 of 417 mountain bike trails in Arizona
Nice mix of singletrack and doubletrack. One way loops, long loop and tech loop. A few mild climbs and some mild rock gardens, just let it ride. There is a lot of loose rocks on the trail, which I am finding out is par for the course in the Phoenix area. As always, try to time your rides so it ends as the sun sets; Phoenix's best attribute by far.
First added by petersbike on Dec 14, 2004. Last updated May 1, 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 Phoenix: Get on to I - 10 and head west. Take the first exit to Phoenix International Raceway; I think it is also 118th ave. Head south off exit for few miles , as you cross over the Gila river you can see PIR in front of you. Drive past PIR and take the left at the sign for the Estrella mtn park competive loop. Follow signs to trailhead up ahead. 5 dollar fee via the honor system on weekdays. Try to throw at least a couple of bucks in.
Easy fun scenic trail for all levels of riders. Lots trail to work on your fitness.
| ThankThis review will be for the Long Loop of the competition course. To start this park is a pay to ride with $7 per car or $2 to ride in. There is a pay station as you enter the park. The long loop is 10 miles of rolling single/ double track through the desert with 788 feet of elevation gain. There is little in the way of technical challenges outside of a few rock gardens but that does allow you to open up and really pedal. I would advise checking if there are any events going on at the Phoenix Raceway as you'll be driving through the parking lot areas to get to the trailhead, along with traffic getting in and out. There are a few more trails in the main park but I was only up in the area for the day and wanted a semi quick ride that I wouldn't have to think about much. The scenery is typical of Arizona, make sure to pack water/ tools for any rides in the area.
| ThankThe long loop starts off fun and fast but quickly becomes washed out. For about 3-5 miles the trail is basically a straight, long, slow climb on a combination of sand and loose gravel. The last few miles get back to being fast and technical but getting there is extremely frustrating at times. The technical loop is absolutely the way to go.
| ThankLong Loop has some serious climbs. Loose rock on the downhills and the washes. Fun trail overlooking Phoenix International Raceway.
| ThankDuring the cold weather, this is a good place to ride. Watch for the loose rocks and rock gardens--particularly after the pass which is a steep, rutted downhill.
| ThankThe beginner loop is too short. The long loop is about 11 miles long but lots of fun. You can cut the distance in half if you connect to the technical loop but the sign at the park warns that the technical loop is for "expert riders only." Make sure to go early and take plenty of water during the summer months. If you're not properly hydrated, you can find yourself in lots of trouble. Take a cell phone just in case. I was able to get service (AT&T) throughout the loop.
| ThankThis network is made up of 3 loops all leaving the parking lot as the same trail for the first .5 mile, just before the top of the hill the Jr. Loop takes a left off of the main trail and winds its way up and down the hill on its route back to the parking lot for a total of 1.5 miles. Continuing on the main trail another quarter mile it comes to a Y, left is the Long Loop, 9.5 miles total and is a combination of single & doubletrack. It crosses back and forth through a wash a couple times before heading up and over a small pass. It’s a fairly rocky and technical descent and challenging trail for the remaining 5 miles. It climbs back up and over another pass via a doubletrack and then descends to the parking lot. Back at the first Y a right turn will take you on what’s called the technical loop. Although a bit steeper in some spots and maybe a little more challenging, its not much more technical than the long loop and is 5 miles total in length. This area is pretty rocky and the Long Loop is quite loose in spots, I preferred the technical loop overall.
| ThankThe long loop and technical loop are worth riding a few times. As the description states, be ready for tons of loose rocks and dry, sandy riverbed type crossings all throughout.
Definitely an ok workout, and there are some pretty fun sections.* Review edited 12/29/2009
| Thank