Toothaker

Like Rainbow, Butterfield and Coldwater, this trail has a Northern half and a Southern half. The Northern halves of all of those trails are all easier then the Southern halves. I would say, ridden from either direction, the Northern Section of Toothacher is my favorite trail in the park. The Northern section is pretty smooth with punctuated, short rocky sections and a few small Gulley crossings. The Northern section is very similar to the Desert Classic trail on South Mountain. The Northern half is also poular for Horseback riding, so be prepared to share(yield) the trail or get yelled at. The Southern half is a different animal. The Southern half, if ridden from Dysart, can be a very lengthy and tough endurance climb. It has plenty of rocky sections where good line choice, slow-speed balance and endurance are necessary. I wouldn't say this trail is Hike-A-Bike at all, it just requires a lot of endurance and slow-speed balance. For someone looking for less work, riding the Southern end of Toothacher from Gadsen is much more enjoyable. After a short climb up, the trail turns into a rocky and loose downhill trail that finishes with one BIG wash crossing just before meeting up with Dysart.

Do not recommend attempting to ride this North to South, it's pretty bad that direction. It feels like it's 90% climbing and lots of HAB. The downhill never gets into a flow because it's so chunky and rough, definitely not worth the squeeze. Just take it South to North as intended.

Loose rocks galore, and sand pits avoid if you are allergic to it!