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Sweetwater Preserve Mountain Bike Trail
Tucson, Arizona
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:   |
5 trail reviews |
|
Status: updated 1/21/12 by bdbo |
Difficulty:  Beginner |
| Length: 10 miles | Global Rank: #400 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Network |
| Ridden: 22 | Wishlist: 17 |
| Elevation Gain/Loss: +1,054/-1,145 ft | |
 8 trail check-ins |
Directions
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Description: The Sweetwater Preserve features about eight miles of singletrack built by mountain bikers. A pristine piece of desert nestled between existing development, it is truly a gem and holds one of the densest collections of saguaro cactus in the Tucson area. The singletrack begins to the right as you exit the parking lot. Stay right to enter a thick forest of saguaros. Look for a rare crested saguaro among them. At the top of a small pass, continue to the right on the "Black Rock" and "Sun Circle" loops. Hang on for a high speed blast through the Ocotillos on Black Rock, the longer of the loops. After finishing the loops turn right to climb the semi-technical Lost Arrow Trail. At the next junction a left turn provides a more challenging option, Red Canyon Trail. Close the loop by descending the Wildflower Ridge Trail, enjoying birds eye views of the entire preserve.
To view directions to Sweetwater Preserve mountain bike trail, please login. If you don't have an account, sign up for a free account - it only takes a minute.
Description: The Sweetwater Preserve features about eight miles of singletrack built by mountain bikers. A pristine piece of desert nestled between existing development, it is truly a gem and holds one of the densest collections of saguaro cactus in the Tucson area. The singletrack begins to the right as you exit the parking lot. Stay right to enter a thick forest of saguaros. Look for a rare crested saguaro among them. At the top of a small pass, continue to the right on the "Black Rock" and "Sun Circle" loops. Hang on for a high speed blast through the Ocotillos on Black Rock, the longer of the loops. After finishing the loops turn right to climb the semi-technical Lost Arrow Trail. At the next junction a left turn provides a more challenging option, Red Canyon Trail. Close the loop by descending the Wildflower Ridge Trail, enjoying birds eye views of the entire preserve.
added on January 12, 2009 by 
SIMILAR TRAILS
Riders who liked this mountain bike trail also liked:50-year Trail / Golder Ranch in Tucson
Robles Pass in Tucson
Tucson Mountain Park in Tucson
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by Jared13 on January 8, 2012
A nice, easy trail. Lots of fun too. It is used for hiking and horseback riding and can be quite busy. I recommend getting there early in the morning to have the trails mostly to yourself. The trails are singletrack, rocky, and sandy in some sections. The best route I found was to enter the TH and head north towards Black Rock Loop. I hit Sun Canyon Loop on the way there and back and then followed the perimeter trails along with taking the Red Canyon Trail. If you do not circle back to hit The Spine and Octillo Hill, you're not missing much but you can get some decent speed traveling West to East on The Spine. As the previous reviewers said, there is some great scenery along the trail.
Similar Trail: Starr Pass and the easier parts of Robles Pass
reviewed by abegold on November 21, 2011
If driving by Tucson this trail is about 4 miles from the El Camino de Cerro exit and easy to access. Signs at junctions so easy to follow. West 2.5 miles to Tortolita Rd. south till it dead ends into trailhead parking lot.
Similar Trail: Robles Pass, Tucson Mountains, Brown Mountain, Golden Gate
reviewed by MSV85 on September 7, 2010
Great ride for my first time. Has a couple different paths and starts out deceptively easy before getting a bit harder in the back. I handled it pretty well for my first time riding and had a great time.
reviewed by mwdesigns on April 11, 2010
I grew up riding and racing BMX so mtn biking seemed to be the perfect fit. This was my first "real" mtn bike ride. I had a few challenges and a few spills on one of the many trail options. I attribute my skin loss to my new clip-in's and a bit of lack of experience climbing rocky trails on my brand new 29er. One section of my trail choice was a bit challenging for me due to some rock outcrops and a steeper-than-my-legs-are-used-to narrow trail. However the climb was WELL worth the down hill fun. Not a super fast trail but fast enough and technical enough to make it a blast! I am sure I will ride this trail many many more times.
reviewed by joetutt on March 22, 2010
What a great trail! The scenery is unbelievable. Very open trail with heavy, heavy concentration of saguaro and other cactus, so falling wouldn't be fun. This is a two way trail, but you can usually see pretty far in front of you, so crashing shouldn't be a problem. Not very technical, but enough to keep it fun. Heavy rocks throughout and almost 100% hard pack, just a few areas of soft gravel. No really steep climbs, mostly longer gradual climbing. Some nice tight switchbacks. Lots of fun with breathtaking views. Highly recommend!
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