Beginner X-C trail for kids ???

[metalaficionado]

My 6 and 8 year old have been riding since tykes. We just ride around neighborhood on sidewalks, dirt paths and through washes. I would like to take them in to the dessert for more of a real mountain bike ride.

No big climbs though, because their bikes are heavy (must be over 25lbs).
Not too long, too technical or exposures.

We have been to reach 11, but that may be a bit unexciting.

I was thinking McDowell competitive tracks - especially the sports loop - it's nice and flow-ey.

Anything else I missing?

[GR1822]

I've never ridden McDowell, but have been to the pump track there. My kids were 5 and 8 and loved it. I think Pemberton is in the MMP and hear it's pretty similar to a dirt road.

[Optimus]

Pemberton is pretty mellow, Sport loop is part of the Competitive Loops, there may be fast types that won't appreciate slower rookie kids wrecking their mojo. If you're anywhere near Hawes, the trail from Walgreens to the bridge would probably be fun for them, although there may be some bike traffic there as well. Papago, by the zoo would probably be fun. San Tan Mountain Park in Queen Creek has some mellower stuff also.

[metalaficionado]

Maybe Papago.

San Tan is just so far from, I live in by I-17 and Happy Valley.

Thanks for suggestions.

[Optimus]

PMP is about as far for you as McDowell. There is a nice sidewalk ride that starts at the Dreamy Draw TH, then there's all kinds of side trails off the sidewalk, some easier than others, but lots of options.

[PrincipalRider]

Have you considered Sonoran Mountain Preserve off of Jomax and the 17? While some of the climbs are a bit long (for a kid), once you get up into the preserve, you can find some routes that are pretty flat. Nothing in that park is technical from what I can tell. Also, the trails are machine built and lack all of the razor sharp rock of PMP.

[ssamplin]

For sure Sonoran. From the parking lot the "H" trail is steepest part. May be good to have kids walk that section to not get discouraged right from the start. Hang a right on DT and right at V. My son is 9 and is showing interest in trying trails. This is where I plan to show him the ropes. I'm super stoked to have it close to my house as well.

Official Site of the City of Phoenix - Trail Map

[Optimus]

Also, the trails are machine built and lack all of the razor sharp rock of PMP .

True, I kind of over looked that. Thanks for pointing it out.

[eatdrinkride]

Agreed if you are near Hawes about riding the fenceline trail from Las Sendas. There is another trail on the opposite side of the canal just feet away that is a bit more challenging for the younsters. Great place to get started. Both are only a mile or so long but get you to Hawes proper when they are ready.

[Bituman]

Here's a related thread in case you haven't seen it: Introducing my boys to Mountain Biking!

I suggest MMP. As you say, there is the Sport Loop, which is loads of fun. But there are also other trails out there that are ideal for beginners: parts of Pemberton, Chuparosa, North, Verde, Bluff, Granite, Tonto, and even Boulder, Rock Knob, and Marcus Landslide once they feel like some mild climbing. Rock Knob, Boulder, and Marcus Landslide straddle the boundary between MMP and MSP. Marcus Landslide even has some pretty cool interpretive points of interest. Here's the map: http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/mcdowe...l-11x17-3d.pdf

Have fun with those boys!

Bob

[Scott In MD]

North Trail at McDowell Mountain Park is your trail. Pemberton 16 miles is too long. North is a 3 mile trail with some gentle rollers. Plus you can stop at the park museum and see the rattlesnake. Then on the way out stop and ride the whoop-d-doos in the parking lot of the competitive track. Your kids will have a blast. Directions: Shea to Saguaro to Fountain Hills Blvd to theatre entrance then turn left (Northwest) into the park and follow your nose. Happy trails. Let us know how your ride goes.

[latedropbob]

Don't forget about the pumptrack at MMP...fun for hours for kids of all ages! Great way to get them into real mountain biking...

[Moose512]

If you don't want to drive all the way to MMP you also have the trails at Dynamite and Pima as an option.

[metalaficionado]

Papago, San Tan, Hawes, MMP, D & P and Sonoran - a lot of good suggestions - thanks everyone

[chollaball]

we did the Pump Track and Sport loop last week - 6yo on her 20inch bike, 3yo on the trailabike. Both kids LOVED the sport loop, and after the PT my 6 yo was shredding the trail. The sport loop is nice since we didnt have to load the car back up after the PT. We rode ~3 on a Saturday, only saw a few people and they were all very nice. cant imagine anyone would have a problem with it and if they did they can suck my blahblah its a multiuse trail you stravazzhole.

Reach 11 is fun for some distance. There is a pond there that makes a good spot for a break, but it would be better if you could have a 'reward' at the end - maybe something nearby at mayo blvd - lots of restaurants.

We have been riding the 'unnamed' trail on 98th St. in Scottsdale, or along the golf course and lower Quartz area, and combining that with trips to Horizon Park or Cold Stone - there are some fun MUPs and tunnels that take you from Horizon right to Cold Stone's front door.

I would recommend against Papago - that terrain is very surprising for a young rider.

The canal paths EDR suggests near Haws are good idea for the terrain, but kinda boring with no payoff. If you could tie it into something itd be more fun.

[metalaficionado]

I ended up going to Sonoran by Carefree... because it's so close to our house. I had wife drop us off at 14 ST gate and pick us up at the gate of the construction site of the Sonoran BLVD. This way we avoided all big climbs, and had overall gradual elevation decline. It was about 8 miles or so, a bit long - and my 6 year old got tired towards the end so we bailed to the paved sidewalk. Kids bikes are so heavy, it's like half of their body weight. Imagine riding 80-100 lbs bikes. Climbs are tough for them.
Good info on the MMP chollaball, I am saving that for a weekday, with less stravazzholes on the sport's loop - man that track is fun.

[HitmenOnlyInc]

I wouldn't forget the Usery area. Moonrock/Blevins/NoSo all entry level with very little to no climbs and short. May be a bit far but fun for the kids.

[kf9yr]

I ended up going to Sonoran by Carefree... because it's so close to our house. I had wife drop us off at 14 ST gate and pick us up at the gate of the construction site of the Sonoran BLVD. This way we avoided all big climbs, and had overall gradual elevation decline. It was about 8 miles or so, a bit long - and my 6 year old got tired towards the end so we bailed to the paved sidewalk. Kids bikes are so heavy, it's like half of their body weight. Imagine riding 80-100 lbs bikes. Climbs are tough for them.
Good info on the MMP chollaball, I am saving that for a weekday, with less stravazzholes on the sport's loop - man that track is fun.

I don't think you'll find a better beginner trail without driving a long distance. My daughter is 12 and can make the climb starting at Carefree Hwy / 14th Ave but that tires her out and she's ready to turn around after 6 miles and head back home. She is finally big enough for a 26 inch bike so I bought her a Cannondale SL2 and it seems lighter than her 24 inch kid bike... Now she's riding a bike that's 1/3rd her weight so it's still amazing that they can climb as well as they do.

We have ridden the Sonoran Dixie loop trail but since we start at my house at Carefree Hwy / I-17 it is a long ride (15 miles or so) for a kid (she needs to hike a bike on a few climbs but keeps smiling).

Thanks for the update as I'll try shuttling to 14th st and starting there with her. We can ride home from there and I can either bum a ride back to my truck or I can ride back on the trail at adult speed.

I don't see very many kids out on the trail but hopefully we are getting ours interested enough to keep it up. I showed my daughter the website for the AZ High School MTB series and she asked quite a few questions so I'm hoping she's interested enough to try in a couple of years when she's in high school.

Thanks for starting this thread, I'm going to try some of the suggested trails with my daughter to see how she likes them.

This summer I took my daughter, my girlfriend and her kids (10 & 8) up to Flagstaff to the Table Mesa Loops. Those were highly kid-approved when the weather is too hot for kid comfort in the summer.