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Thumper Loop (Cottonwood)
12 reviews
3.92 of 5
The Thumper Loop is actually comprised of portions of three trails: Raptor, Thumper, and Lime Kiln. The Raptor singletrack starts out rocky and rolling for about a quarter-mile, then a steep pitch, "the Evil Hill", appears. This is a real tester, and just about everyone has occasionally pushed their bike up this one (although it can be ridden in the middle ring). But, it's the steepest climb on the entire trail. After this, it's basically a 2 mile grind to the top. Halfway up the climb, you'll go over a cattle guard. At the top, you'll see a bunch of trail signs. Take a right. This is Thumper. Designed by mountain bikers, this section is mostly downhill. Just as the trail gets fun, you'll come to another cattle guard. NOW things start to heat up! The trail is rocky and loose. Small molded bunnies alert you at the hardest technical sections. Beginners will walk these sections, experts will laugh with glee as they fly down 'em. Then you'll come to a sandy doubletrack. Go right. This is Lime Kiln. Although not as "downhilly" as Thumper, it has some fast descending sections. First comes the sand, which gradually solidifies into small rocky dropoffs. Go left at the first fork with the Carsonite (NO Cars) marker. The terrain varies a lot, with sections like "the Stairsteps", and "the Chalk Chute". When you come to the next fork, go right. The trail runs to the right, past the Ranger residences, finally ending in a nice 2-3 foot dropoff that dumps you out onto the Park's main road. Go immediately right, then take the second right to get back to your car.
The trailhead is at Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood, Arizona. There are brown signs directing visitors to DHRSP from many adjacent communities, and numerous signs in Cottonwood itself. The Park is in central Cottonwood, just off of Main Street. (Call 928-634-5283.) There is a $5 per carload fee to enter the park (which entitles you to use of the astonishingly clean shower facilities), and camping is available. Because Sedona is nearby (25 minute drive), Dead Horse Ranch is an excellent place to camp ($12 & $19 per night, RV hookups available) and make daily riding expeditions to Sedona's many trails. However, as long as you're at the Park, you should ride Thumper. Take the second left after entering the Park, and park in the first parking area to your right. The trailhead is clearly visible from there, a kiosk with a large map and sage trail advice. Free maps are available at the entry station/visitor center. A couple of the Park Rangers actually ride, and will be happy to provide visitors with detailed trail info. Bike & Bean (928-284-0210) and Absolute Bikes (928-284-1242) in the Village of Oak Creek are the nearest bike shops.
Summary: Good place to ride during the winter when things are snowy and muddy in N. A.Z. Plus it's way too hot there in summer anyhow. This is a decent ride but short, deffinately would'nt crack my top 10 or 15 rides in N. A.Z. though. Other reviews say this can be a little sandy in sections, that is a gross understatement. If it has'nt rained in a few weeks skip this one, unless you like feeling like you're riding on the beach. If it wasn't for the fun drops and stuff, I would'nt even waste my time with this one.
Recommended Route: Same as everyone else says......clockwise loop.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Anything in Prescott, Sedona(V.O.C.), or Flagstaff blows this place away!!
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Review Date February 12, 2004
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty 3 of 5
Technical Difficulty 4 of 5
Ridden Trail: Ridden Once
Reviewed by: tfrandal
,
Cross Country Rider
Summary: What a terrific alternative to Sedona! Was two miles into a Sedona ride and just could not take being sandwitched in between residential development and the wilderness boundry. Sedona is over rated, over developed, and over run with a disney like atmosphere. The sound of a jack hammer carving out another building site into the red rock was just too much. I scrapped the Sedona ride and headed to Dead Horse State Park. The trail is pretty much summed up by the preceeding reviews. There is something for all types of riders and skill levels. Ranger Randy Victory has put together a great map of the trails. He is modest but proud of the trails, his map, his sweet cannondale and the fact he can ride the loop in 45 minutes. Very helpful guy. When the flagstaff trails are snowed in I plan to ride these trails every few weeks. A fun and challenging ride where a guy can have a little solitude. Nice views of Tuzigoot and Mingus.
Recommended Route: Up Raptor and down Thumper in a clockwise direction.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Ranger Randy suggested riding the Thumper Loop then heading out Bones to Pecks Lake and back 89A. This is a 21 mile ride.
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Review Date December 13, 2003
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty 3 of 5
Technical Difficulty 4 of 5
Ridden Trail: Ridden Once
Reviewed by:
,
Downhiller
, from Camino
Summary: Not bad. Climbing up the first part isn't difficult, it's not overly steep(but it has a few small sections that are) though. Thumper is fun, a few technical areas that are nice. Then there is Lime Kiln, and it's kind of like a mini "Porcupine Rim". Double track but really fun in places, dropoffs, etc. Nothing on these trails is bad, it can all be rolled, but a beginner will freeze up on some of the little drops and rocky areas. It's a nice loop though, especially to get away from the crowd at sedona. Not bad at all though, there's other stuff in cottonwood, and in the general area.
Recommended Route: Clockwise.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Mingus Mtn Downhill...fun to do it once, not sure if I'd do it more than once, really nasty and technical trail at the top though.
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Review Date July 10, 2002
Overall Rating 3 of 5
Ridden Trail: Every few months
Reviewed by: xtremerat
, from phoenix
Summary: I rode the trail starting at the Eastern end. Great workout but big mistake. Ride became 2/3 uphill with a short downhill to parking lot. Easy to find and follow. East to west much more challenging. First mile or so is the most difficult. After that there are some sandy parts but not bad. Overall it is a solid ride going in either direction. Not too flat and not too technical.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Anything in Sedona
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Review Date June 4, 2002
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Ridden Trail: Ridden Once
Reviewed by: canyonrc
, from Tempe
Summary: Don't be fulled by the fact cottonwood is North of Phoenix. The uphill portion of this trail makes things hotter than a spilled bucket of sex. Mind you, its not really a hard climb. Just hot. The downhill, my favorite portion of any trail, is filled with these cool little steps that you can practice jumping off of. Although, there were a couple of parts of the trail that sparked visions of me toppling over the handlebars and losing my teeth on a edge of the steps. I don't feel bad anout walking over those parts though because my buddy wimped out as well. I have the pictures to prove it. In short, its a fun trail. After the ride, if you don't like the town of Cottonwood, you can head up to Gerome for a beer and a burger.
Recommended Route: Take the trail counter clockwise to fully appreciate the technical down hill.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Anything in Sedona or head up to Flagstaff to beat the heat. Check for fire restrictions around the state though.
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