Today we headed to McDowell Mountain Regional Park to give the Race Loops a try. McDowell Mountain is located roughly 40 minutes Northeast out of Phoenix. Here is a map link. Unlike many trails in the area, this trail system is part of a regional park which means you have to pay for parking, $6 to be exact. Sounds steep but you do have great restroom facilities, tons of parking spots and the trails are very well maintained. So, it’s worth it if you ask me. To get to the parking area for the “competitive loops” as they are referred to, make a quick left just past the park gate. The parking area provides trail head access to all three loops, the Long Loop, Technical Loop and Sport Loop as well as a very clean restroom facility. These trails were originally designed and created for the Cactus Cup Race which is no longer being held in Arizona (now in Vegas).
First up was the Long Loop. Mr. Garmin tracked the loop at 8.02 miles with roughly 600ft of elevation gain. This trail isn’t a suffer fest, its a fun fest! How can you not want to tackle a trail with a sign that says CAUTION: Track is for high speeds challenging ones skills and racing. Count me in!
