Single track near Measa, AZ

[dirtbikenut]

Hey!

I'm being forced to move to AZ due to my wife working for my son's company and I've been in NorCal for many years riding in the Sierra's and occasionally spending time in the Mojave riding the Piute Mountains so I'm looking for some decent single track that I can ride on the weekends near Mesa, AZ. From what I can find is that there are only good places near Flagstaff, Prescott and possibly Camp Verde? I know the nearest place to Mesa is Bulldog Canyon but I'm not sure what I'll find there; will check that out this week.

Any advice is appreciated and if you're going somewhere interested let me know I'll tag along, I can usually keep up with most unless you're a AA off road guy or a trials expert! ?

Let me know what you think.

 

[lhc450]

Mile marker/boulders is pretty sweet.

Boulders OHV Area

N Picacho Wash, Peoria, AZ 85383

https://goo.gl/maps/JDo72WH1hWD2

 

Sycamore is nice as well.

Mesquite Staging Area

33°43'48. 111°30'40., 3 4th W, Myton, UT 84052

https://goo.gl/maps/UpgbBQiDCNy

 

Fort Valley in Flagstaff is fun as well.

Fort Valley Trailhead

Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff, AZ 86001

(808) 212-6324

https://goo.gl/maps/Vd1G2du46nm

I personally haven't been to Kelly Canyon yet but it's on my list for Memorial Weekend

 

If your ever out in the Lake Havasu area, hit me up.

We have lots of great single track from mild to wild.

Standard Wash is our back yard play ground.

Standard Wash Area, BLM Campground

7001 AZ-95, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406

https://goo.gl/maps/stE6o5zDi7L2

 

[dirtbikenut]

Thanks Ihc450! I'll be sure to check those out. I think it's about a 2hr drive to most places that you mentioned so I'll need to get up early. I'll hit you up if I plan to be in the Havasu area.

 

 

[mjepps72]

If you're on FB check out Arizona Dual Sport Riders, we all ride in those areas often. I live in East Mesa near Bulldog Canyon and ride through those areas almost every weekend. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/arizonadualsportriders/

[dirtbikenut]

Thanks mjepps72, I'll check out facebook. I do have the bike plated but it's not that great for a lot of road work.

 

 

[mjepps72]

Yeah neither is mine (KTM 520 EXC) but I have it outfitted as an ultralight ADV with Wolfman enduro package. Whenever I go to Payson or further I end up trailering it. 

[4Sevens]

Check out AMRAracing.com and join a club.  The club guys know all the best single track and that's how I found a whole new world of trails.  I'm a member in XMC.

[mjepps72]

Agreed. I usually ride dual track and easy single track. But whenever I'm looking for more challenging single track I hit up my AMRA buddies and wow, they now the good spots. 

[dirtbikenut]

Ihc450, it looks like the Mesquite Area is really close, but the GPS coordinates shows it as UT? It's not in Utah is it?

 

 

[lhc450]

Ihc450, it looks like the Mesquite Area is really close, but the GPS coordinates shows it as UT? It's not in Utah is it?

 

 

Saw that as well lol!!

It's a good spot.

Last time I was out there the Creek was full and made for some epic water crossings.

Probably low now.

If you're on FB I have a Moto group out of Havasu

https://m.facebook.com/groups/1644946075722170?ref=bookmarks

And there are a couple good groups in the valley.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/205009076228476?ref=bookmarks

https://m.facebook.com/groups/494337637399712?ref=bookmarks

 

You can also roll in to here but it's full of SXS's and Quads on the weekends. I'd steer as far away as I can of it.

Sycamore Creek Trailhead

Tonto National Forest, Fort McDowell, AZ 85264

https://goo.gl/maps/wPgUvfwYmkk

[dirtbikenut]

Definitely want to steer away from the Quads! 

[dirtbikenut]

I'll check out AMRAracing.com and join a club as well, if I have time. I'm splitting my time between Mesa and Livermore, CA since I do need to be around NorCal for work, when I'm not traveling which I do A LOT.

 

 

[4Sevens]

Mesquite is excellent but you really need to know your way around.  It can be hard to find your way back if you don't have a GPS or a great sense of direction.

[4Sevens]

Sycamore is a nut fest.  Way too many bozos on quads and side by sides.  I heard someone is killed out there very frequently and I believe it.

[dirtbikenut]

@4Sevensis it easier at Boulder to make your way around? I do have a GPS, but I think it's still in NorCal so I'm stuck with my pigeon senses.

 

[4Sevens]

53 minutes ago, dirtbikenut said:

@4Sevensis it easier at Boulder to make your way around? I do have a GPS , but I think it's still in NorCal so I'm stuck with my pigeon senses.

 

Yes. Mesquite wash is one of the harder places because there is one way in and one way out and I have not found a good marker such a certain hill to help me find my way.  There are too many hills surrounding it that you can't see.  Best thing is to hook up with a club or group of seasoned riders at first to show you around.  If you're a B or even solid C rider you are welcome to join me and my buddies.  I ride on Saturdays mostly.  Some of the guys do a Wednesday afternoon ride too and Sunday is always good for riding as well.  I don't know of good riding in Mesa but that is because I live in North Phoenix and there is so much great riding to choose from around me.

[dirtbikenut]

@4sevens So, I did end up going on a ride on morning, actually the following morning from posting here and I road at Mesquite and wow! There are some decent single track there but it's tough to figure out how to get back to the staging area. I went out about 30 minutes to an hour, probably an hour and then tried to get back. Well I got super lost and ended up 11 miles west of Mesquite at the other staging area off of Hwy 87. I was low on fuel and water and after chatting with a fire ranger I jumped on 87 and booked back to Mesquite. I didn't have a plate at that time so I was hopeful I didn't get pulled over. 

I have since gone back there and I hooked up with another group and we did a loop that was over 26miles with some really challenging stuff, but it was super fun! 

I need to figure  that area more so I can get my bearings so I don't get lost. I installed this app called GAIA on one of older phones where it can capture the ride and then you can follow it back and I do have a GPS but the phone app seems easier to use.

I really appreciate all fo the suggestions guys!

 

 

[4Sevens]

44 minutes ago, dirtbikenut said:

@4sevens So, I did end up going on a ride on morning, actually the following morning from posting here and I road at Mesquite and wow! There are some decent single track there but it's tough to figure out how to get back to the staging area. I went out about 30 minutes to an hour, probably an hour and then tried to get back. Well I got super lost and ended up 11 miles west of Mesquite at the other staging area off of Hwy 87. I was low on fuel and water and after chatting with a fire ranger I jumped on 87 and booked back to Mesquite. I didn't have a plate at that time so I was hopeful I didn't get pulled over. 

I have since gone back there and I hooked up with another group and we did a loop that was over 26miles with some really challenging stuff, but it was super fun! 

I need to figure  that area more so I can get my bearings so I don't get lost. I installed this app called GAIA on one of older phones where it can capture the ride and then you can follow it back and I do have a GPS but the phone app seems easier to use.

I really appreciate all fo the suggestions guys!

 

 

Yeah the riding at Mesquite wash is pretty great.  I have only ridden there twice because I won't go without a guide that knows their way around.  I know I'll get lost.  Where else have you been riding?  Do you race?  The AMRA season is coming in a month.  Look up amraracing.com for info.  If you want to join a club I'm in XMC.  Great group of people.

[dirtbikenut]

I haven't ridden anywhere else since I just finally moved everything here last week. I don't race anymore, used to do Enduro's and Hare Scrambles and I dabbled in motocross until my son started to race it consistently. Ya, I should check out the XMC club. I see there's a lot of them in the area.