Pass Mountain Loop, AZ

anthonys · 02-18-2008

Here was a tasty little ride. We had a motley crew of Moabites, Crested Beauticians and Gunny-Sackers at the Yeti Camp out at McDowell, so we suited everyone up and headed out to ride the Pass Mountain Loop. Lovely weather and new (to me) trail.

Pilots take heed. If you are schlepping a load of sleepy honkies out to Phoenix in one of Frontiers finest Airbuses, and you had one too many gimlets for lunch, fret not about losing your way. The hills have signs.

And have a lookie at that. Desert? Water shortage? Phpah!. I repeat, Phpah!! This jaunty little desert community flies in the face of such kill-joy rationalism with a big honking fountain that shoots water hundreds of feet straight up into the air.

WW?

It is a lovely romp through the Saguaros. And depite the biological wonderment that the Mighty Saguaro represents, I found myself charmed by lichen that day.

Such an improbable life form. A symbiosis in fact. A little bit of alga, a little bit of fungus and off you go. Life. (Some biologists will argue that this is parasitism.) At any rate is is an elegant method of extending the ecological range of both species. And it sure does add some nice color to the landscape.

This is a sweetie of a ride because it dispenses with that nasty business of climbing through the aegis of fun, swoopy singletrack. Then all of a sudden you are at the top of a wickedly fun descent.

Lawson Raider · 02-19-2008

Wowsers! Those were some very awesome pics there. Can you dig up some of that fine singletrack and ship it up here to MO? I'd be forever grateful

AZ Mikey · 02-19-2008

Once again you've hit the proverbial home run. Pass Mtn is an underrated ride here in the Phoenix area with some good climbing, great views on the north side of the mountain and the rocky descent that you appropriately labeled "wicked fun".

Here's a little something that we did out there the day after Christmas last year. Not quite as green back then. All it takes is a little rain at the right time to really turn the desert green.

eatdrinkride · 02-19-2008

Glad you were able to hit something new this time around. Pass Mtn. is a nice diversion from the more popular rides and if you push yourself can be quite a workout, or can be made into a fabulous picture taking opportunity. Which you have done nicely, no doubt.

-Jamie

bear · 02-19-2008

DAMN but that is some GREEN desert. Weird.

GoodStash · 02-19-2008

I'm fairly new to Arizona riding. Could anyone kindly tell me how to get to the trail head of this "Pass Mountain Loop". I'm know how to get to the race loops, so I'm somewhat familiar with the area. Also any specs (miles, elevation, etc...) would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

DurtGurl · 02-19-2008

Glad to see you found one of our hidden gems on your last visit. Pass Mtn is great ride, especially when you hook it up with some Hawes/Red Mtn action like the ride we did that Mike linked to. It is going to get nothing but greener with seas of flowers by the time you arrive again for Spring Fling. I'd be willing to lead the big Hawes/PassMtn loop as a Sunday Spring Fling ride if there is interest! See you in a few weeks...

And thanks for all the great pictures!

AndyN · 02-19-2008

Great shots.

Pass Mountain has now been added to my must-ride list.

DurtGurl · 02-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyN

Great shots.

Pass Mountain has now been added to my must-ride list.

And you are coming to Spring Fling in a few weeks, right? It'll be a photo/ride opportunity that we've not seen in many years and you'd be a fool to pass it up. We'll keep the rides small since we have so many locals to lead. Come on... your camera wants you to go to Spring Fling.

NE2NM · 02-19-2008

amazing photography, as always

eatdrinkride · 02-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoodStash

I'm fairly new to Arizona riding. Could anyone kindly tell me how to get to the trail head of this "Pass Mountain Loop". I'm know how to get to the race loops, so I'm somewhat familiar with the area. Also any specs (miles, elevation, etc...) would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

The easiest way to tell a first timer where to start is here> http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?f=q&h...4462&z=16&om=1

Park there in the dirt pull-out and pay your $1 entrance fee. You can park in the park but you'll pay $5 per car. Make your way to the trail and take it clockwise. It's about 7 or 8 miles but feels like much more. A quick ride is probably 2hrs. Some messing around on other trails and other stuff can extend it to 3hrs. Not too much elevation gain (don't have my gps track in front of me) but the d/h is rather dramatic with the great views and exposed sections.

Search 'PASS' in the AZ forum under TITLES ONLY and you'll get plenty of ride reports.

AZ Mikey · 02-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoodStash

I'm fairly new to Arizona riding. Could anyone kindly tell me how to get to the trail head of this "Pass Mountain Loop". I'm know how to get to the race loops, so I'm somewhat familiar with the area. Also any specs (miles, elevation, etc...) would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Pass Mtn is not accessed from the McDowell Mountain Park, it's in Mesa at the Usery Mountain Park...do a search in the AZ forum for the following and all will be revealed:

pass mountain
pass mtn
usery

(look for epicrider's map I'm sure it's linked in some of those discussions in the AZ forum)

slocaus · 02-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthonys

Such an improbable life form. A symbiosis in fact. A little bit of alga, a little bit of fungus and off you go. Life. (Some biologists will argue that this is parasitism.) At any rate is is an elegant method of extending the ecological range of both species. And it sure does add some nice color to the landscape.

I'm lichen that one

(one of my favorite things to see in nature, for the reasons you state)

AndyN · 02-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by DurtGurl

And you are coming to Spring Fling in a few weeks, right? It'll be a photo/ride opportunity that we've not seen in many years and you'd be a fool to pass it up. We'll keep the rides small since we have so many locals to lead. Come on... your camera wants you to go to Spring Fling.

Well I'll be a fool either way...but my chances of making SF are pretty slim. At best I may be able to make Sat/Sun.

Moto Rider · 02-19-2008

Awesome!

Love the photos and I'm dreaming for better day here.

40hills · 02-19-2008

MUST......... GO......... THERE..... :zombie:

azepicriderandrunner · 02-19-2008

I am speechless...without words.