Basics
- Location:
- Phoenix
- Length:
- 4 miles
- Aerobic Difficulty:
- Advanced
- Time To Allow:
- 1 - 2 hours
- Trailhead Elevation:
- 1200 feet
- Season:
- All Year
Description
The Ridgeline Trail offers riders and excellent way to get up and above it all in a big hurry.
Located in the northern section of South Mountain Park in metro Phoenix, the country’s largest city park, the Ridgeline Trail begins climbing in a hurry and doesn’t let off. Steep switchbacks etch up to the backbone of northern South Mountain, which once gained allows riders amazing views of the Phoenix area. Riders will have an opportunity to warm up before the big climbs on a short access ride via fire-road and singletrack.
There are three more difficult climbs the must be navigated on the Ridgeline Trail once riders are on the ridge, each pinnacle offering more fantastic 360 degree panoramic views. The Ridgeline Trail empties onto the Mormon Trail, minutes from the exciting downhill on the Javelina Trail. Riders that are feeling a bit whipped can wrap back to the parking area and paved roadway via the Mormon Trail. The Ridgeline Trail is a great technical start to many rides in the northern portion of South Mountain and a fun to get the heart pumping.
Details
Location:
Length:
Accessed via Powerline trail. 4 miles is for Ridgeline Trail only.
Difficulty:
Aerobic Difficulty:
Time To Allow:
Time can be increased through addition of other South Mountain trails to ride.
Trailhead Elevation:
Very steep climb, ridge ride, very steep descent.
Season:
Additional Details:
South Mountain complex is a series of trails that can be intermixed to create longer or shorter rides. Please be considerate on the trails and understand right of way protocol. Trail difficulty ranges from moderate to extreme. Riders should be in good physical condition, ride with partners especially when unfamiliar with terrain and bring plenty of water when riding in the desert due to the harsh nature of this environment.
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
The Ridgeline Trail is easily accessed from the Pima Canyon Trailhead. Take I-10 eastbound from downtown Phoenix. Take Exit 153 48th Street/Broadway East and turn southbound on 48th Street. After about 3 miles look for Pima Canyon parking area at junction of 48th street and Guadalupe Rd. Parking is at a premium in this area due to the popularity of the South Mountain trails. The Phoenix Municipality asks visitors to refrain from parking off the roadway as this causes erosion and damage to the natural habitat. A fire-road starts at the parking area, most frequently used to access the National and Mormon Trails. The Ridgeline Trail is accessed by taking a right on the Powerline Trail (running under the power lines) before the National/Mormon trail junction. After a short ride on the Powerline take a left onto the Ridgeline Trail and get ready to crank.
