620 Ridgeline
 |
| From 620 Ridge |
For lack of knowing its official name (if it even has one yet), this trail, the 620 Ridgline, shall be know as the Bees Knees. Why, because there is a huge beehive you have to pass on the climb up. I didn’t see a swarm or anything but those bees sure were buzzin’ by fast b-lining it for the hive. The gracious trail builder’s have put up a sign warning there are bees in the area. Thank you. The sign should keep the bees from swarming.
But seriously, this trail is the bees knees! It’s a monster climb on brand new singletrack. Kubota cut and hand groomed it’s as smooth as can be, but it makes up for buff in steep. The kind of steep that you can ride if you have the legs and lungs. The new trail has been getting enough foot and tire traffic to pack it down enough for descent traction. It will only get better with more riding, a little rain wouldn’t hurt either.
If you can make the 2 mile climb you will be rewarded with buff steep singletrack all the way to where it meets the existing Gila trail. Decision time. Head east and ride up the rugged west side of Gila or head west and meet National? I opted to climb right back up the Bees Knees.
The descent down the East side towards the 620 trailhead You may want to turn your computer volume way down. The wind in the mic is LOUD.
The descent down the West side towards Gila and the National connection
I rode, errrrr HAB up this trail about 3 weeks ago(the west side of bees knees). I started by riding toward the ruins, followed the trail to the left when in the wash and went up the canyon to the saddle(west bound). Then went down the trail to the junction(one trail went up to national, one turned around east to become bee knees. It was not fun! It was very loose and hard to walk up pushing a bike. I am contemplating going back this route the opposite direction but going down the west side of bees knees seems like it might not be fun with how loose and sandy it is. I could see myself burying my front tire in the soft corner on a switch back and going over the bars..
I parked outside the gate at 19th ave on Chandler. The best ride though is from the Desert Foothills lot, ride the road south and pick up the Gila trail north of the Kingdom Hall.
Where did you park to pick this up? New stuff on the South side of the Mountain is good!
Dave
Thanks for sharing the HD vids!! We went out to find the “new” Gila trail that is “Desert Classic” like. We did not find it, This trail in the video is what we found. We were exhausted from the incline. Good times.