May 05, 2025 Shaw Peak Trail Trail Report

Posting "minor issue" for section from Onion Saddle to intersection with Pinery Horsefall Trail at Jhus Horse Saddle.

The first half mile of the track from Onion Saddle is jeep road. Where the trail splits off, it follows along a fenceline for a while and is mostly clear of brush and debris. It looked like the trail had been brushed in recent years with some very recent cutting of branches on the few downed trees or brush that had obviously encroached on the trail. After getting over two humps near the start of the singletrack the trail continues on a sidehill for a while. It is obscured in places by big clumps of grass, though these do not impede progress as long as you can tell where to go. There are a few flatter spots where you can miss a turn but you'll soon figure it out. At about 1.5 miles it transitions from the west side of the ridge to the east side. Shortly after that the tread deteriorates for about 1/4 mile with very narrow or zero bench and a few downed trees until you get to a switchback corner. You have to carry the bike through here and a few other short spots. After that it gets better again. There were signs of recent trail work (bench cutting) in places. Aside from a few short sections the trail was pretty rideable down to the Jhus Horse Saddle. There is a big tree down at the saddle with a shortcut to bypass it.

I checked conditions of Shaw Peak Tr continuing north of the saddle as well. Only made it just over 100ft before losing the trail completely. No sign of a bench, just a gap in some brush where it might go.

I also poked my head down Jhus Horse Saddle Trail about 100m as well. A bench cut exists and it is passable, but it is overgrown with yucca and other brush crowding the trail. Lots of bear tracks all around the saddle.

Photos posted are from Onion Saddle to intersection with Pinery Horsefall Trail only. I continued down Pinery Horsefall which was in decent shape and worth checking out.