Meandering ride out towards Wildhorse Pass after catching the last day of the TDF. With all the threatening rain, decided to use my old Fuji mtn bike. Headed west taking the dirt agra-roads on the Gila River Indian Community until I intersected the western limit of Pecos Road. Found some big herons along the canals...
Started on the “Wright in the Ahwatukee Foothills” (http://hikearizona.com/decoder=1869 ) route and continued over to 40th Street, crossed Pecos Road, and headed onto Gila River I.R. Where 40th Street ends at Willis Road, I continued along the dirt track that skirts around the west side of the Devil’s Claw golf course and dumps you out onto Wild Horse Pass Blvd. The interpretive trail makes one of its many crossings of Wild Horse Pass Blvd about 100 feet east of this point.
The Interpretive Trail is a smooth dirt track with much signage identifying the flora and fauna. Even have some language tips for pronunciations in the local native tongue (www.gilariver.org ).
I rode up to the Sheraton Resort and back towards the new casino. The trail dead-ends before the casino. You need to loop back a few hundred feet to join onto Wild Horse Pass Blvd if you want to continue onto the casino.
P.S. I have to comment that it is quite noticeable the maintenance and landscaping (natural and groomed) conducted on the Wild Horse Pass vicinity of the Gila River I.R. I challenge you to find any garbage tossed onto the land – don’t think you could ever say that as long as I can recall…
Took the older Fuji full suspension mtn bike out for a spin to make sure it's in riding condition for guests. Quite the difference from my Specialized hard tail mtn bike - and my legs let me know it! Clicked over the 100 mile mark for December and 1200 mile mark for 2013. Guess I'm liking mountain biking...
Loop around the spring on Ray Road Access Trail and then a loop around Frank Lloyd Wright's Camp Ocotillo site. Time to get ready for some pre-game tailgating at today's Yotes game http://coyotes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=684184
WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
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