Axis

The Axis trail is 3.4 miles long. The trail is better ridden in the north (Cockscomb) to south (TBD, TBD, Girdner, Lasso, Girdner) direction. There are five different trail intersections with other trails on the way to Girdner near the Cultural Center. Axis actually crosses Girdner once near Dry Creek and intersects Girdner at the top near the Cultural Center.

In the north to south direction there is a two mile section that is mainly downhill. I have rated the trail in the north to south direction as 20% Beginner, 60% Intermediate, 20% Advanced. If you are a fast rider, I would up all the percentages to indicate a way more advanced ride.

The top section near Cockscomb was a few steep sections that cross a deep drainage twice giving the opportunity for big air by expert riders. Those jump segments should even get better with lots of traffic.

In the lower segment about a mile from the Dry Creek crossing the trail tilts downhill through a very scenic section with two wide fast slickrock drainage sections.

Once you reach the Dry Creek Wash you will cross the Girdner trail heading .6 mile up to Lasso. That trail segment is a much more mellow climb if you are heading to the Cultural Center.The segment from Lasso to upper Girdner is an easy .3 mile long.

Well the total ride from upper Girdner to Cockscomb is totally different depending on your skill level. The first segment to Lasso is 100% a Beginner trail. It’s easy to ride it super fast due to clear lines of site, if you don'T encounter horses, hikers or other mountain bikers.

When you reach the Lasso/Axis intersection turn left and head down to Girdner. This is also a fast, twisty, up and down highballer segment. Beware of other users and use the MTB courtesy rules to reduce user conflicts.

When you reach the lower Girdner crossing the whole Axis experience is going to change for you. This is where the challenging uphill starts for riders who love to climb. There are many challenging short segments that will challenge advanced and expert riders.

Up about X.X mile from lower Girdner crossing there is a new trail TBD1 that will turn west and bring you up to Last Frontier near the gas line crossing. As you pass TBD1 the trail continues to be very steep in several sections. Some of those segments have steep steps, that will add to the challenge factor.

The trail levels out some what with an up and down twisty routing for about 1/2 mile. That section is pretty much a beginner trail. After the beginner section the trail transitions to an up and down rocky techie section that brings you up to the other TBD trail that will take riders over to the Rupp trail. From there up to
Cockscomb Axis become
more challenging again. There are short sections riders looking for challenging uphill trails will love. Pay attention to high speed riders ripping downhill the trail. There are several spots with poor site lines.
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Have fun riding Axis it’s a total ripper going south.

Equestrians: This trail is a great connector from the Cultural Park, crossing Dry Creek, to the Cockscomb trail system. Axis trail will end at Cockscomb trail. From here you can take Rupp back across Dry Creek to Girdner (CAUTION: Precipice section) to Stirrup or Saddle Up, back up to the Cultural Park. For a longer ride continue on Cockscomb to Dawa, Arizona Cypress, Anaconda and Girdner (CAUTION: Precipice section) to Stirrup or Saddle Up, back up to the Cultural Park.

Access Info

The Cockscomb trail on the north end and upper Girdner on the south end.