Reviewed by: yeahbaby ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Fun! I did this recently looking for something new at south mountain. It was fun fast and entirely rideable on my S-Works Epic. I don't wear pads or a face protecting helmet. Though, if you took a nasty spill here you might be wishing some protection!. The only bits which where hard to stay on the saddle were a couple hairpin turns. It was a bit sandy in spots but all and all it was fun!

Recommended Route:
from 48th st ramada's climb up national or mormon to buena vista descend geronimo

Other recommended trails in the same area:
beverly, national, telegraph, javalina, ridgeline

Reviewed by: John Wallace , from Agoura Hills, CA

Summary:
Despite the comments below, I went alone, on a Tuesday am, did not have pads, and was on a rented Specialized Enduro (which worked fine). I survived! I dabbed on more spots then I want to admit to, dismounted several times (no avoiding this, at least for me), but still managed to do quite a few sections that had my heart a pounding. About 2/3 down, there was a great rock shute, followed by a right with a drop, and then I think a left turn over some rocks. This section was great - went back and did it two more times and took a photo!! I am reasonable competent at riding technical trails on an XC full suspension or light freeride (Enduro fits this - note that it was the older model with 4.5" rear travel). This trail was a blast, and I would definately do it again - some pads and some company would make it more enjoyable and make me a bit more daring. This is definately not a trail for a beginner or novice rider. There is a suggestion below to ride(?)up Mormon. You'ld have to be ET to ride up this trail! Although it had just rained really hard a few days before (Sunday, and I was out Tuesday), I doubt this had much impact on the trail. As noted above, it was worth it to me to mostly hike up this trail, and ride down Mormon Loop and Javelina, since I had just one day. If I had longer, I wouldn't bother going up Mormon. Head up National or Mormon Loop and try going down Mormon. Would be a lot more fun. Overall - I had a great time. I made the most of my four hour ride and will go out of my way to ride here again if given the opportunity. Followed directions as noted below/above, and it would be really hard to miss this trail.

Recommended Route:
MY ROUTE: I had one am to bike - so I made the most of it. I started at the parking lot off 48th and went to the end of Desert Classic, biked/hiked up Telegraph and connected to National, continued down Geronimo, biked/hiked up Mormon, and then did Mormon Loop and Javalina back to parking lot. About 4 hours total time - although I stopped for photos and to enjoy the views. The only bad part of this loop was going hiking up Mormon (I got the impression from one of the reviews listed below that one could bike up most of this - hmmmm. I would say you have to hike for at least a 0.5 miles, maybe a mile. However, it was worth it for me (I had the one day), because Mormon Loop and Javelina were great.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Desert Classic, National, Mormon Loop, Javelina

Reviewed by: Flip-Z-Bird , from Tempe, AZ. USA

Summary:
(SEX OFENDER!) :) "IS NOT A TRAIL FOR BEGINNER'S!"
It seems easyer then Holbert or 24th St. to me? But Hell it still isn't something you should ride if your the sole supporter of your family or you don't have good Health Insurance! It helps if your already at least a "Good?" rider and your a little NUTS! If your a timid rider and You think your going to CRASH AND GET HURT? "OH YOU WILL... HARD!" On anyone of these three trail's! I've broke lots of PART$! I CRASHED into a CACTUS head first at high speed "OUCH!" I Smashed up my XC Giyo E2 helmet! "You really need Full Face Helmet!" That light XC stuff just isn't enough protection! Your Wife will even bie it for you! If you tell Her that you really think you need it. Just show Her what's left of your old XC Helmet? and say DAMN... I REALLY THINK I NEED A BETTER FULL FACE HELMET HONEY DON'T YOU!!!! It works like a freaking CHARM try it!
Tip, "Don't look at what you don't want to HIT!"
If you can't ride all of "National Trail!" from the top? then just ride "it" till you can first! Trust me!
It starts off on a sweet little harmless single track and then you HIT what can only be described as a DEATH GRIP on the bar's and HAND PUMP! The whole rest of the way DOWN! Oh it's going to work your whole body and that's if you don't CRASH! It's much like Holbert and 24th St. You just HANG ON! and try to ride as much as you can without DYING! I'm a better rider every time I survive another weekend of hard riding on these "3 WICKID STEP-SISTER!" trails on South Mountain. I ride more and more of each of these trails every time I ride them. I can almost ride all of them all the way down! I'm working on those parts now!
Get a 5" travel fork! or better?
Get a Full Face Helmet!
Get a Full set of Pads!
Get a Friend or three!
Get a SHUTTLE RIDE BACK UP!
Get on Top and DROP IN!
Get off the breaks and Let Her ROLL! Flip, out.

Recommended Route:
STRAIGHT DOWN!

Other recommended trails in the same area:
National to 24th St. Holbert ect..."GET A MAP!"