PHX - Boulders 1st ride of 2013

[Nightstalker]

I called upon a few of my regulars to go out and do a little exploring of some trails I have heard about and some trails I found on Google Earth. We also got to ride some choice single track to get us out to that area. Little did we know what was in store!

Slowred - KTM 350
Eric E - Honda XR 250
Nightstalker - Honda 450X

Slowred counting craters on the moon's surface.



Eric on the first, of many, nasty hills.



It was a brisk 37 degrees when we arrived at the staging area. The ground was hard and slippery, making the climbs all the more difficult.

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Sharing the trail with wild burros.



What goes up, must come down.



What that hill looked like after the next climb.

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Slowred was so excited to be out riding today!



Eric on his way.



The start of Trail 11. That hill has grown much worse since the last time I was on it.

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Some rocky downhills too.

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Our initial destination comes into sight.



Closer up.



While the tower is somewhat exciting, the sweet single track that follows was the real treat.



Not much time for pictures, it was so hard to stop when it's flowy and fun.

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But, there's always time for some shenanigans!



Eric passes through the Butt Crack.

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Nightstalker's turn!

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That leaves Slowred.

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Just down the trail, Small Falls.



Eric blasts right through.



Slowred got a little caught up on the wet slippery rocks.



Nightstalker has a less than conventional approach - I meant to do that...

[Nightstalker]

I saw this trail on Google Earth, we should check it out!



It started in the wash below and quickly and rapidly climbed and climbed and climbed...



I had gotten stuck just below this spot and effectively screwed over my biker buddies.



Slowred up.



Eric searching for traction, one wheel at a time.



And Eric is up!

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We paused to contemplate what may lay before us.



Eric said, there's only one way to find out!



And this is where the trail got scary.

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Not much room for error, the margin was narrow, the consequences were severe.



I can't speak for Slowred and Eric, but I was distressed!



There were round rolly rocks scattered about, just laying in wait to knock you off the trail.





I was quite relieved to reach the end of this trail. Little did I know...



I believe that Slowred was thinking the same thing.

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We took the "bailout" down to this really nice jeep road. A jeep road with and EVIL streak! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this in the distance. I was still in denial as we approached.



It was rocky, big time rocky.



Of course, it went up, but not too steep.



I couldn't imagine that we were riding though this stuff, but we were doing it!



We all must have had our red capes and spiderman undies on today!



Slowred helps Eric through a crazy boulder step up.

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We took the bailout to avoid the "Large Falls" trail. It dropped over 550 feet in 1/2 mile from where we bailed. We did explore it, mostly on foot, for a little ways, from the bottom.

Oh my!



Water puddles, still with a thin layer of ice!



So, I guess this is why it's called Large Falls. I'm glad we bailed.

[Nightstalker]

We were all ready to return to the trucks. Eric busted off his gear shifter shortly after the Large Falls trail. Luckily, he wasn't stuck in first gear!

A little over 31 miles today.



Lots of up and down.