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| Mtn Biking | 17.77 Miles |
124 AEG |
| | Mtn Biking | 17.77 Miles | 2 Hrs 38 Mns | | 6.75 mph |
| 124 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | I can't believe @DarthStiller hiked this: I would have been bored to tears. And also self-concious about looking like a hobo. So, I rode it. 
At the beginning of 2021, I set out to day hike the Maricopa Trail. Before today, I had completed 88 of 240 miles. Some of it biking, because long stretches of canal and suburban sidewalk go by much quicker on two wheels. I am doing the loop counter-clockwise. 
The official route proceeds south from the Verrado bike path, into the desert along the east side of the EPCOR water plant, there is no trailhead at the I-10 underpass where the White Tanks to Verrado segment ends. Instead, this and the previous segment are anchored in the restaurant parking lots at Verrado Way and McDowell Rd.
Today’s segment is 15 miles, to Estrella Mountain Regional Park. If you don’t have a shuttle driver, or if you do and want a shorter bike (or even hike), there are some options halfway: the Canyon Trails Towne Center, on the northeast corner of Yuma Rd & Cotton Ln., or Roman’s Oasis, a roadhouse just across Yuma Rd.
I started my ride heading east, across Verrado Way, on McDowell Rd. After 100 yds., McDowell Rd. turns from pavement to dirt. I was surprised at the lack of graffiti in the tunnel under I-10.
After passing by the Sequoia Pathfinder Academy, as you approach the dyke, turn left through a v-gate onto a gravel road. (I initially missed the v-gate.)
The route winds east, passing through another v-gate, until the gravel road reaches paved Jackrabbit Trail after 2½ miles.
After 4 miles, turn left (east) onto the south side of Yuma Rd., which you follow nearly six miles. Where there are vegetable farms, or cotton fields, I found it easier to ride on the dirt irrigation road, rather than the gravel shoulder closer to the road. I figured as long as I was on the road side of the irrigation, I was not trespassing. 
The route switches from dirt, to cement, to blacktop, and back-and-forth, multiple times on this bike.
I had to walk my bike past Roman’s Oasis, as the shoulder there is non-existent. (As of May, 2022, Roman’s Oasis is supposed to be relocating 400 ft. west to accommodate widening of Yuma Rd.)
Distracted by all the massive warehouses being constructed along Bullard Ave., I initially missed my turn onto the drainage shoulder towards the ball parks. Field runoff has caused quite a bit of erosion. Easy for walking, but bumpy bike riding.
Across from the ball parks, I spent probably 10 minutes photographing the Goodyear Airport boneyard.
From Bullard, the first mile south on Estrella Pkwy is on the west side of the road, with traffic. At Buckeye Rd., switch to the east side., against traffic. The reason is that crossing the Gila River bridge is protected from fast, heavy, traffic by a concrete Jersey barrier; the other side is exposed.
The Gila River's main channel was flowing. Just on the south side of the bridge, turn left. My recommendation is to get on the Vineyard Rd. bike lane and save yourself a mile. Instead, the route heads down into dry parts of the Gila River bottom, heading east, closely paralleling Vineyard Rd. If you were on the road, you could turn right into Estrella Mountain Regional Park in ½ mile. Instead, follow the Gila River bottom for a mile, under the Bullard Ave. bridge, to the Beaver Trailhead. Now on the Vineyard Rd. bike lane, double back west ½ mile to the park entrance.
Biking Video: https://vimeo.com/773000462 |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Fair number of nice desert marigold clusters in the detention basin -- but that was it. |
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| http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored. |
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