Estrella Mountain Regional Park, Competitive Track
The Estrellas
offer classic AZ desert singletrack nestled up in the mountains within earshot of the Phoenix International Raceway (PIR). The competitive track includes the Long Loop, the Technical Loop and the Junior Loop.
Don’t let the double track at the start keep you away from the trail. The backside of the Estrallas is where the singletrack flows like cactus spines in your tire. Taking the Long Loop, you’ve just got to be in shape to get there. My favorite thing about this trail (outside the awesome twisty singletrack on the backside) is how far out the trail winds. It feels like I’m the only person within a hundred miles .
During the racing season the Estrellas see quite a bit of action, but outside the race crowds, I’ve never seen many riders out on the trail. The only thing that keeps me from riding this trail more often (and maybe everyone else too) is the 5 dollar drive-in fee. I gladly pay it, but only twice a year or so. With so much free riding out there it’s hard to shell out the cash when South Mountain has more for less. But still the Estrellas are perfect if you want to get away and not see a soul.
West side trails nearby: F.I.N.S. and Goat Camp in the White Tanks.
MTBR Reviews of Estrella Mountain
Competitive Track Map: Maricopa Parks & Recreation (PDF 500k)
Estrella Mountain Regional Park: Maricopa County Parks Biking Page
Reader Reviews
Pingback from Mountain biking FINS and Estrella Junior Loop
Time: October 10, 2008, 11:25 am
[…] with light to spare…and since I was on the west side I wanted to ride the Junior Loop at the Estrella track. It’s only a mile and a half but I had never ridden it. With daylight fading we zipped […]
Review from Rick
Time: October 20, 2007, 7:55 pm
10-19-2007
I rode only the technical loop when I went there. It was very fun. It starts out fast and twisty single track as you ascend to the top of the saddle. After you start to head down the fun technical descent. Watch out because as soon as you think its time to release the hounds, the trail may change your mind. Once you’ve ridden it once though you kinda know what to expect because its short enough to remember. Moderately technicaly challageing, and aerobicly challangeing, but I,m 200 lbs plus. All in all great fun.