19.9 miles
Distance
1,098 ft
Climb
-1,093 ft
Descent
2,622 ft
High Point

McDowell Mtn Fun Route - A Little Goosenecks too

Detailed Description
CW - McDowell Combo Trails is a 20 mile moderately popular easy route located near Fountain Hills Arizona. This mountain bike only route. This route includes 20 trails. This route climbs 1,098 ft with a max elevation of 2,622 ft then descends -1,093 ft.
Local Trail Association
Local trail association
Desert Foothills Mountain Bike Association (www.dfmba.org)
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36 Reviews & Comments

  • + 0
breta360 (Feb 19, 2023 at 16:25)
Trail Escondido Trail
I rode this trail in Dec and would have agreed with the previous comment back then. Riding it again today is a different story. A camp host told us that there had been extensive regrading maintenance done in January and the trail has definitely returned to its green status. It isn’t the same flat, gravel “hiway” as the rest of the area trails but it has been greatly improved. My wife called it a “slightly challenging solid green”.
[Reply]
  • + 0
EdwardIQty6n (Nov 24, 2022 at 15:37)
Trail Escondido Trail
This trail is not green. It’s super fun but it is not easy. Long segments hug the mountain with very narrow track with many large rocks. One false move would be trouble. Climbing on rocky terrain, curvy descents. The views are gorgeous and I am glad I did this first and then found all the Sandy trails to go up Mcdowell.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Jaredshredsagain (Oct 7, 2022 at 21:02)
Trail Pemberton (SW)
This should be updated to ebike yes.
Ebikes are allowed in mcdowell regional park.
Ebikes are not allowed in mcdowell Sonoran preserve. This trail is entirely in mcdowell regional park.
[Reply]
  • + 1
spennel (Nov 11, 2022 at 12:23)
Trail Pemberton (SW)
I can confirm this is true, I called Mcdowell Mountain Regional Park today and they said eBikes (class 1) are allowed.
[Reply]
  • + 1
Ddemlong (Jul 20, 2022 at 5:56)
Trail Gooseneck Trail
I did the gooseneck loop and really liked the ride. I don't care for the southern portion as much as I like Browns but this was a good loop. The first half of the ride was relatively flat. One you approach the mountain the trail gets much thinner and there is a pretty steep climb, but drop it down a few gears and even a beginner/intermediate can do it. Coming around the mountain the trail gets even thinner with drop offs but its manageable. Coming back around the hill is a nice down hill section with some great views if you continue down rock knob and pemberton. If you keep on pemberton there is some nice fast down hills with a bit of a climb back out before going flat again. All in all great ride.
[Reply]
  • + 0
DebHoenigxBC (Mar 19, 2022 at 18:57)
Trail Scenic
Nice views but definitely lots of loose rock, and descents were a little treacherous for us.
[Reply]
  • + 1
Rider51 (Jan 13, 2022 at 11:41)
Trail Pemberton (NE)
Popular green trail that can be ridden either direction, and has decent flow. Nice easy climb going southeast to northwest if you're looking to ride as a full loop of Pemberton, or take this "up" to ride any of the other green trails "down".
[Reply]
  • + 1
Rider51 (Jan 13, 2022 at 11:41)
Trail Pemberton (NE)
Popular green trail that can be ridden either direction, and has decent flow. Nice easy climb going southeast to northwest if you're looking to ride as a full loop of Pemberton, or take this "up" to ride any of the other green trails "down".
[Reply]
  • + 1
Rider51 (Jan 13, 2022 at 11:38)
Trail Pemberton (E)
Compared to the south segment of Pemberton, this trail is green. It's not as smooth as Tonto or Bluff, but it's not really a blue trail. Just a few gullies, and a couple bits of loose over hard. Any beginner should not have much trouble with this.
[Reply]
  • + 1
Rider51 (Jan 13, 2022 at 11:38)
Trail Pemberton (E)
Compared to the south segment of Pemberton, this trail is green. It's not as smooth as Tonto or Bluff, but it's not really a blue trail. Just a few gullies, and a couple bits of loose over hard. Any beginner should not have much trouble with this.
[Reply]
  • + 1
Rider51 (Jan 13, 2022 at 11:35)
Trail Pemberton (SW)
Really nice going down (west to east), as there's a lot of flow. You dan pick up decent speed on this trail. The trail is barely blue, but there are several rocky sections (none that require hike-a-bike), and plenty of sections of loose over hard that do qualify it as intermediate. Some of these techy sections come right after fast hard pack, so use a little caution if you're flying down it.
[Reply]
  • + 1
Rider51 (Jan 13, 2022 at 11:31)
Trail Pemberton ST
Very popular trail, both directions. There's nothing difficult about it, but it does have just enough turns to keep you interested. Excellent views of the desert as far as the eye can see in many places.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Creamcorn1 (Feb 3, 2021 at 13:49)
Trail Pemberton (E)
Green not blue
[Reply]
  • + 0
Creamcorn1 (Feb 3, 2021 at 13:49)
Trail Pemberton (E)
Green not blue
[Reply]
  • + 0
Adventurejunky1 (Jan 14, 2021 at 7:30)
Trail Escondido Trail
60% of this trail is blue due to loose rocks and narrowness along the edge of hillsides. I took a beginner on it last week and they hike-a-biked for 3 miles. ????
[Reply]
  • + 0
Sandra0JSLGX (Jan 11, 2021 at 9:16)
Trail Scenic
Definitely scenic. Definitely blue as rocky in most sections.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Sandra0JSLGX (Jan 11, 2021 at 9:07)
Trail Pemberton (SW)
Some sections pretty rocky and rough. Other parts smooth and easy.
[Reply]
  • + 1
Sandra0JSLGX (Jan 11, 2021 at 9:06)
Trail Pemberton (E)
This should be double green. Not blue.
[Reply]
  • + 1
Sandra0JSLGX (Jan 11, 2021 at 9:06)
Trail Pemberton (E)
This should be double green. Not blue.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Sandra0JSLGX (Jan 10, 2021 at 9:02)
Trail Escondido Trail
Fun trail. Some parts I would rate as blue though. Very scenic.
[Reply]
  • + 0
MuchaKombucha (Jun 26, 2020 at 13:42)
Trail Escondido Trail
Love the flow on this ride. It winds its way in and out of the ridges, staying just below the ridge line for the most part. Definitely a borderline blue as some of the turns and rocks take some skill. My favorite trail in McDowell Mountain Park.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Screbner (Apr 18, 2020 at 18:25)
Trail Saguaro Nest Trail
Easy trail to ride.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Screbner (Apr 18, 2020 at 18:23)
Trail Saguaro Nest Trail
We saw a juvenile rattlesnake on it today.
[Reply]
  • + 1
iroas414 (Mar 30, 2020 at 7:06)
Trail Escondido Trail
Riding CW, this is a fun trail in the first 1/3 - flowy and much like other trails in the area like Bluff, Delsie, & Granite. But no way is this a green trail. Overall this is easily a blue. The climbs and descents are no problem for probably most riders, but newer riders and kids who would have no problem on other trails would definitely have had to hike it on this trail.
[Reply]
  • + 0
smchalmers (Mar 3, 2020 at 15:04)
Trail Pemberton (E)
This section is about as green as they come.
[Reply]
  • + 0
smchalmers (Mar 3, 2020 at 15:04)
Trail Pemberton (E)
This section is about as green as they come.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Mnoll (Jan 17, 2020 at 23:12)
Trail Pemberton (NE)
Fave
[Reply]
  • + 0
Mnoll (Jan 17, 2020 at 23:12)
Trail Pemberton (NE)
Fave
[Reply]
  • + 1
travytravtrav (Jan 28, 2019 at 10:34)
Trail Lower Shallmo Wash Trail
This’s trail is tons of fun going from north to south. It doesn’t have crazy downhill speeds but it flows the entire way down.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Northernlights1 (Dec 8, 2018 at 8:53)
Trail Escondido Trail
I agree a good chunk of this trail is green but ridden at speed it’s a blue.
[Reply]
  • + 0
rickythunder (Oct 31, 2018 at 7:40)
Trail Escondido Trail
My favorite trail in McDowell, fast flowy súper fun. Check my video in YouTube
[Reply]
  • + 0
Tanman34 (Jan 1, 2018 at 12:29)
Trail Pemberton (SW)
Sweet Trail! Quite easy but fun and fast. One of the few trails in the area that you can really open up on
[Reply]
  • + 0
Tanman34 (Dec 24, 2017 at 11:19)
Trail Rock Knob
Fun fast single track connector to Pemberton.
[Reply]
  • + 1
Scooter1969 (Mar 5, 2017 at 19:26)
Trail Gooseneck Trail
Fun ride - if you're looking for the rock climbing aspect - not your trail but a fun workout and great open scenery!
[Reply]
  • + 2
DrHog (Nov 25, 2015 at 12:38)
Trail Scenic
Worthy sidetrip from Pemby for some climbing and views.
[Reply]
  • + 2
DrHog (Oct 22, 2015 at 21:51)
Trail Gooseneck Trail
Only way to connect Brown's Ranch area with the rest of McDowell Mountains. A good trail, but needs a little more climbing and descending to make it great.
[Reply]
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Trails in Route

Details

More Stats for CW - McDowell Combo Trails mountain bike route
  • Altitude min
    1,682 ft
  • Altitude start
    1,698 ft
  • Altitude end
    1,703 ft
  • Grade max
    -12.6%
  • Grade min
    15.9%
  • Distance climb
    7 miles
  • Distance down
    9 miles
  • Distance flat
    4 miles
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Pemberton Trail, AZ Epic MTB Handcycle Footage!!!
Pemberton Trail, AZ Epic MTB Handcycle Footage!!!
8:06 | 56 | comments: 0 | favs:
Feb 17, 2022
Pemberton Trail, AZ Epic MTB Handcycle Footage!!!
Pemberton Trail, AZ Epic MTB Handcycle Footage!!!
8:06 | 69 | comments: 0 | favs:
Feb 17, 2022

Recent Trail Reports Along Route

statustraildateconditiondescription
Pemberton (SW)
Mar 18, 2023 @ 9:12am
Mar 18, 2023
Gooseneck Trail
Mar 12, 2023 @ 10:46am
Mar 12, 2023
Super green right now, trail is in great shape.
Pemberton (E)
Mar 10, 2023 @ 11:47pm
Mar 10, 2023
Pemberton (NE)
Mar 3, 2023 @ 11:13am
Mar 3, 2023
Pemberton ST
Mar 3, 2023 @ 3:13am
Mar 3, 2023
more reports »
  • By sopen & contributors
  • #11015 - 946 views