Reviewed by: ZT_110 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
I wanted to use this forum to say a few things about this trail. I started riding this trail in 92 and probably have logged over 1,000 rides on National. I am not one of the territorial locals who don't want people riding this trail, by all means ride National because it is one of the best trails anywhere. Please keep a few things in mind, and respect the people who want to keep riding this trail for many more years.

1. DO NOT CUT THE TRAIL OR MOVE ANY OBSTACLES. More and more I find people have cut some switchbacks or moved rocks to make a section easier. If you can't ride something LEAVE IT ALONE and walk around it. Why anyone would be so ignorant as to change the trail to suit their skills is beyond my comprehension. I guarantee the whole trail is rideable to some of us (I have video to back this up), so if you can't do it, get better, don't ruin the trail.

2. DON'T SPEED DOWN THE FIRE ROAD! The trail doesn't begin until the trailhead, not the fireroad, so don't ride like a jackass. It takes no skill at all to ride fast on a fire road so you aren't impressing anyone. This trail nearly was closed a few years back because a rider hit a kid and they started a campaign to close the trail to bike. I still see this almost every ride though, people don't have the skill to ride the trail fast, so they get to the fire road and let it rip. When you get to the fire road the trail is over, so just ride slow back to the parking lot. 85% of all hikers, kids, and dogs are on this part of the trail, so it's just not worth it.

3. Yield to hikers and horses. You probably won't see a horse, but it does happen.

4. Just don't be a jackass.

I have ridden all over the country and this is still my favorite trail. Don't underestimate it, people have died on National. I'm not trying to scare anyone, but you need to respect this trail. Enjoy!

Recommended Route:
National

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Anything at S. Mtn

Reviewed by: df ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
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Recommended Route:
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Reviewed by: yeahbaby ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I live at the Pointe South Mountain so this trail and I are becoming pals. Climbing National to Buena Vista is the hardest mountain biking I have ever done from a technical standpoint. I love it love it love it. There has been a lot of speculation about its ridability. If you ride it as much as my partners and I do you start making stuff. I can honestly say I have made it up everthing to Buena Vista at least onnce but never all together nor have I seen it done all together. A good buddy of mine consistely makes it up the Waterfall clean. I have cleaned the bottom of it once, the top a bunch and the whole thing once. But, this was after trying it 10 or more times in a row! I guess what I am saying is if you just keep trying I think most descent riders can do most of national. Next time you are there camp out at the tripple steps and do them 10 times pass or fail, hang out at the waterfall and keep trying it, ride the high and low side boulders and i bet in time you will get them! If this type of mountain biking doesn't appeal to you or you are out for a pure fitness ride, just run up the stuff you cannot do and keep hammering! This place has made everything easier for me! And yes I would love to ride with anyone out there not so much to prove anything but because I freakin love riding here!

Recommended Route:
48th street to desert classic to beverly canyon to fire road to national to mormon to javalina to east loop exit at PSM hole 16

Other recommended trails in the same area:
hawes, mcdowells, estrella, your-mom :)