62.5 miles
Distance
5,544 ft
Climb
-5,540 ft
Descent
4,350 ft
High Point

This is a self-supported grassroots event. No entry fee, no prizes, no aid stations. Simply you, your bike on the trail under your own power.

This is the kickoff event to the AES race calendar held in conjunction with the shuttled Gila100. In recent years the route has been ridden in a CW direction, but it can be done CCW as well. In the CW direction the route begins with a neutral rollout over the first 10 miles of pavement. The frenzy begins when the route turns north onto Willow Springs road. A short piece of the famed 24 Hour in the Old Pueblo course is used and links up to the primitive Painter Boy trail. Route finding skills are essential through here, know how to read & use a GPS! More dirt road follows, the final 27 miles are on the Arizona Trail. This section is beautiful, remote, rugged and very challenging. The AZT consists of singletrack, jeep roads, wash crossings and plenty of hike-a-bike opportunities. Cross under the Tiger Mine trailhead sign and celebrate a ride well done.

Detailed Description
AES: Antelope Peak Challenge is a 63 mile expert race route located near Fortified Peak Arizona. This mountain bike only route can be used both directions and has a hard overall physical rating. This route includes 2 trails. This route climbs 5,544 ft with a max elevation of 4,350 ft then descends -5,540 ft.
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Past Events

2 Reviews & Comments


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Trails in Route

Details

  • Race Course
  • Riding area
    Fortified Peak
  • Primary Activity
    Mountain Bike
  • Difficulty rating
    Black Diamond
  • Route Type
    Loop
  • Bike type
    XC
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Physical rating
    Hard
  • Ridelogs
    4
More Stats for AES: Antelope Peak Challenge mountain bike route
  • Altitude min
    2,791 ft
  • Altitude start
    3,790 ft
  • Altitude end
    3,793 ft
  • Grade max
    -43%
  • Grade min
    31.3%
  • Distance climb
    31 miles
  • Distance down
    27 miles
  • Distance flat
    4 miles
Avg: 3 (2 votes)
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Recent Trail Reports Along Route

statustraildateconditiondescription
His Hers North
Jan 27, 2023 @ 10:14pm
Jan 27, 2023
Race ready!
AZT - Black Hills
Jan 19, 2019 @ 7:04am
Jan 19, 2019
Excellent trail conditions for my maiden voyage on this section
more reports »
  • By schillingsworth TRAILFORKS & contributors
  • #6321 - 1,339 views