DIABLO TRAILS
NORTH & SOUTH DIABLO TRAILS
McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Scottsdale.
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| North Diablo Trail |
A sign at the entrance to the Diablo
Trails in McDowell Sonoran Preserve warns of steep rock slabs,
vertical drops, uneven terrain and protruding rocks. Count me in!
This recently revealed "forbidden zone" was developed as a
technical bike circuit replete with slick stone traverses, boulder
hops and swooping bends divided into a maze of loops with varying
levels of difficulty. Located north of Cholla Mountain, the trails
wind among granite outcroppings and rolling foothills with big sky
views of Tonto National Forest peaks.
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| Entrance to Diablo Trails |
Although it's clear that this
compact mosh pit caters to bikers who want to test their mettle,
hikers need not stay in their lane. The circuit is open to foot
traffic as well and makes for an endlessly customizable trip for
hikers who enjoy exploring semi-uncharted land. There are numerous
ways to get to the site, but the quickest begins at the Brown's Ranch
Trailhead with a 2.8-mile trek on connecting paths. Here's how: hike
1 mile north on Brown's Ranch Road and turn right onto Maverick
Trail. Continue 0.8 mile to Cholla Mountain Loop, turn left and hike
0.7 mile to Stagecoach Trail. Follow Stagecoach 0.3 mile to the
Diablo Trails entrance. Beyond the gate, the trails are not marked
with mileages. I hiked around using The Divide Trail (Maricopa Trail)
to connect the North and South systems for 3.4 miles, but I did not
do all the side loops. A rider I ran into on the trails told me that
this maze has been known to bikers for awhile, but it first appeared
on official preserve maps released for Fall 2016, thus exposing its existence to the rest of us.
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| South Diablo Trail |
LENGTH: Variable, but 9
miles as described here.
RATING: easy-moderate for
hikers, difficult for bikes
ELEVATION: 2710' - 2969'
GETTING THERE:
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| South Diablo Trails |
Brown's Ranch Trailhead:
30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale.
From Loop 101 in Scottsdale, take the
Pima/Princess exit 36, go 6.5 miles north on Pima to Dynamite, turn
right and continue 2.7 miles to Alma School Road. Turn left and
continue 1 mile to the trailhead. There are restrooms, water and maps
at the trailhead. No fee.
INFO & MAPS:
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