Review Date
November 19, 2012

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: Esteban ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Rode the trail network in April 2012 while in town for a business trip. It about pegged my fun meter! I had a blast out there! The climb was relatively mellow, and the downhill was a riot! So much so, I missed a turn. lmao It worked out well though, cuz it just gave me an excuse to climb back up and do it again!
The views along the trail were amazing. It was like

Recommended Route:
Talk to the locals in any shop. They were all super helpful. There's so many trails that's your best bet to match what you are looking to do.

Review Date
July 5, 2011

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: MTBdaddy ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
If you ever find yourself in the Vegas or Blue Diamond/Red Rock Canyon area and need to rent a mountain bike, you MUST hit up McGhies. Chris (the manager) was awesome … he offered many trail options and helped tailor my ride based on skillset, interests, desired ride intensity, etc. Chris had my faithful steed (a 2011 Trek Fuel Ex5) fully equipped, setup and ready to go when I arrived. He even did a pedal swap to accommodate my SPD clips/shoes. Price was lowest in the area … best $40 I’ve ever spent, period.

About the single track: riding in the desert/mountains for the first time was awe-inspiring (I’m from West Michigan). Gnarly down hills, breathtaking (literally) up hills, amazing views, astonishing vistas, etc. Local riders where super friendly helping me navigate trail logistics along the way. It was truly a remarkable experience that I will not soon forget.

Review Date
January 14, 2010

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: poppawheeley ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
These posts want to show up under the Cottonwood Trail Reviews. There are 60+ reviews there already. Everything north of 160 is considered Cottonwood North. Everything south - well - Cottonwood South.

Blue Diamond and Cottonwood are the same thing. Maps being sold at the bike shops all define this system of trails as Cottonwood.

Review Date
January 25, 2009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: ROAD WARRIOR ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Finally got a chance to ride these trails. Mostly fast non-technical, flowing single-track. If you've ever ridden Gooseberry Mesa these are the opposite. Most of the trails between Blue Diamond and Rt 160 are ok for beginers, but are a blast for more advanced riders riding fast. Some of these trails can be ridden FAST!. Head to the south side of Rt 160 for many more miles of trails. See Cottonwood Reviews. Area is a huge complex of trails, so get a map at the bike shop to help navigate the mostly unmaked system. Or just go ride. Would be hard to get seriously lost.

Recommended Route:
For an epic ride start at the bike shop and head to Wilsons Tank. whichever trails you take getting there or coming back, you will have a great 25-30 mile ride.

Review Date
June 24, 2006

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: KADE ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Rode the north section (north of HWY 160)of the Cottonwood Trail on a trip to Vegas with my wife. It was her first time riding off road. The trail was not technical at all, only a few rocks and a few short steep climbs. It was very fast and still a lot of fun for me. A nice change of pace from the technical stuff I usually ride. Mostly hardpacked sand/gravel trails. The scenery is amazing and this was the highlight of my trip to Vegas. We did see some wild burros eating, they didn't bother us and we didn't bother them. It was very hot when we rode in the middle of June so bring your Camelbacks! It was only about a 25 min drive off the strip, so if your're in Vegas go check this out. It is beginner friendly, but more experienced riders should have fun here too.

Recommended Route:
We parked the car at the Bike Outpost in Blue Diamond. From there we rode south up the paved hill a little ways (1/4 mile) until we hit the trail head. The north loops are all right there. You can head south towards Highway 160, and there is a tunnel under the highway where you can access the more popular NORBA 15 mile Cottonwood loop.