View Full Version : riding area question
YamaHusker
05/25/03, 12:53 PM
I was going south on I-17 and on the west side of the freeway at MM221 at the frontage road lots of vehicles staged and people out riding.Is this open area to ride? if anyones knows I was curious its not to far from my place and if you can ride there might need to check it out.
Jeff
2001 Warrior
When in doubt "GAS IT"
rlbranson
05/25/03, 7:16 PM
where approximately is mm221?
bob
YamaHusker
05/26/03, 5:52 AM
its two miles north of happy valley rd.
Jeff
2001 Warrior
When in doubt "GAS IT"
superduperfly
05/26/03, 6:19 AM
I have seen the place that you are talking about and have always wanted to check it out. It is only about 3 miles from my house.
Toby **2003 Polaris Predator 500**
digitaladdict
05/26/03, 6:21 AM
I live in the houses directly next to the land there and I go riding on the weekends. I recently bought a modified ATC 250R and have ridden about 10 times out there. It is state land and everyone rides it. I haven't gone out too far out into it though. It seems like it may be about 35 square miles or so.
I discovered this weekend that if you launch your bike by the gate and follow the trail a little north, and then follow trails west for about 4 miles, there are some hills and sandy parts in there. The trails are much smoother, and some are car-wide. I don't know how to describe it, but I always go by the big "pointy" mountain, as it is to the right of it (actually north).
Don't be disturbed by all the stripped and burned cars. :)
All good things come to an end however, as I received notice that some of that land there will become a desert preserve. According to a map I received, it looks like that launching bikes at that point may possibly vanish in the future. The preserve is going to be around certain mountains. I'm pretty sure there will still be riding out there though, in other areas.
I just wish I had a bigger gas tank to enjoy it all! :)
digitaladdict
05/26/03, 6:33 AM
I'd like to hear about this area from other riders who have been there... Any particularly cool areas to explore[?]
YamaHusker
05/26/03, 7:26 AM
Digital, sounds like it might be a cool area to ride Id like to check it out sometime,how do you feel about playin tour guide? just lookin for someone to ride with.
Jeff
2001 Warrior
When in doubt "GAS IT"
digitaladdict
05/26/03, 1:19 PM
Yamahusker,
I'm pretty conservative riding-wise, but it would be cool to go. I generally like to go in the mornings on a Sat or Sun. I've only explored a small area in comparison, so I won't be the best guide, but we can go for a little test run this weekend if you have time.
Way Cool.
Don't make fun of me 'cause my bike is missing a wheel (ATC)... :D
- Daniel
YamaHusker
05/26/03, 6:08 PM
Digital, sounds like a plan drop me a PM so we can set this up,sat or sun morns good its still somewhat cool
Jeff
2001 Warrior
When in doubt "GAS IT"
digitaladdict
05/26/03, 8:37 PM
Here's some pictures at one of the staging areas at the riding area we are talking about.
http://ridingarizona.com/forum/uploaded/Digitaladdict/200352753533_dirtbikewheely.jpg
http://ridingarizona.com/forum/uploaded/Digitaladdict/200352753628_dirtbikedust.jpg
valmoore
05/30/03, 2:27 PM
its friday evening and i think im goin out there.
dont be jealous that i have the guts to ride three wheels
val
digitaladdict
05/30/03, 4:57 PM
Valmoore:
I'd join you, but my bike is in the shop until Saturday.
Are you riding in the area listed above?
Three-wheelers are cool to ride if you remember and respect the "rules" associated with their handling characteristics. Those who don't obey them can expect a sudden trip to the desert floor, hospital, or even coffin. [|)]
valmoore
05/30/03, 7:00 PM
well i just got back from the above listed spot.its not bad for being ten minutes from my house.boy there are some big rocks right in the center of the trails,just about pitch ya if you are on a atc.there is no way i could keep up with your 250r on my 350x,but as soon as my 250 is done i might have a chance
val
husky390
06/10/03, 8:25 PM
I've ridden out there about five times and have ridden out by the two peak mountains. It's pretty good riding. The trail by I-17 will take you all the way to carefree highway and follow it west. From what I've found that if you take any of the various roads north you will end up at carefree highway. Pretty good riding by at the mountains. There's a small wash that people have turned into a small track. It's north and west of the staging area. Watch out for shooters by the water tanks and the base of mountains. I guess, and I emphasize guess that you could ride straight west and eventually end up at the restaraunt at Lake Pleasant drive and Carefree Highway. That whole area is State Land and I think it's all connected. I would be careful of riding that area around September 1. It's Dove season and there are a lot of hunters out there.
Let me know if you ever want to go riding out there. I'm always up for a ride. Another good area is 107th ave north of Beardsley. Heavily used area but lot's of trails to ride on.
Go really fast down that hill. If anything gets in your way, turn.
drussell
06/12/03, 6:50 PM
I live at 67th and Happy Valley, and just purchased a 350 Trail Boss for my wife and I to share, and a TTR 90 for my boy and XR50 for my girl. We've been out there several times. We followed a trail towards the north west side of the "pointy" mountain, and found a makeshift mini-BMX type riding area at the base of the mountain. We've been out there several times, and enjoy it as a family ride. If access does get shut down from the frontage road west of I-17, where else can you get on this land from?
I've been riding in this happy valley area for 10 years. Its a good all round riding area, thats close to the city and never crowded. There use to be many ways to get into that desert, but developers are grabbing all the land around those "pointy" mountains and restricting the riding. For now it's open so I would recommend trying to get out there and experience it while you can.
Ways to get out there.
North of happy valley,I-17 frontage road.
several gates along carefree hwy, southside
'87 Kawasaki Tecate-4
Wildhorse Restaurant-83rd ave and lake pleasent rd
*good burgers here*
You guys should work on getting an official rocognized riding area like Bryant Park (Hayfield Draw). We almost lost it about 10 years ago, but we had some ground work in with the USFS, help from the Blue Ribbon Coalition, & help from the AMA to keep it open. now the cities of Camp Verde & Cottonwood area converging on it but the Park & Trails are on the map. It could save your riding spot for future generations. Improvements & recognized trails are taken into consideration before the government trades land or closes it to make a preserve.
Astro
Just Ride!