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Pemberton Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate
 4.0 (95)
  1. Areas
  2. AZ
  3. …Phoenix Metro
  4. …Fountain Hills
  5. McDowell Mountain Regional Park
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“An easy but fun desert ride. ”

Richard Gauer
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Map Key

15.7

Miles

25.3

KM

60%

Singletrack

2,477' 755 m

High

1,826' 557 m

Low

792' 242 m

Up

791' 241 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

7%

Max Grade (4°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Overview

Clockwise is the best way to ride this one, with nice singletrack and a slow climb to the halfway mark then high speed doubletrack back to the parking lot.

Need to Know

Check the park web page for entry fees and possible closures for special events.

www.maricopa.gov/parks/mcdowell

Description

The ride is done both clockwise and counter-clockwise, but this description is for clockwise. Start early, as it can be warm in winter and un-rideable in summer. Leave the parking lot on well-marked trail leaving from the southwest corner. From here, it's flat riding until you cross the paved road, at which point you begin a slow, easy climb most of the way to the 9-mile mark.

As you get closer to the McDowell Mountains, the trail gets a little more interesting with large saguaros and some rock outcroppings. At the 9-mile mark, the singletrack turns to doubletrack and exhibits some great high speed riding back to the parking lot.

Contacts

Land Manager: Maricopa County Parks

Shared By:

Richard Gauer with improvements by Brigitte Flanagan
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 95 votes

#1

in McDowell Mountain Regional Park

#169

Overall
  4.0 from 95 votes
5 Star
29%
4 Star
46%
3 Star
20%
2 Star
2%
1 Star
2%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in McDowell Mountain Regi…

#11

in Arizona

#169

Overall
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Photos

Pemberton Loop, starting from the Tom's Thumb Parking Lot on the west side, running clockwise.
Dec 10, 2017 near Rio Verde, AZ
Cruisin' down Rock Knob Trail
May 27, 2014 near Rio Verde, AZ
Pemberton 15 mile trail out out Fountain Hills. 38 min video of my 1hr 6 min ride. Well groomed fun trail! Awesome weather late March 2019
Mar 31, 2019 near Rio Verde, AZ
Enjoying the view
Dec 27, 2020 near Rio Verde, AZ
Four Peaks from Scenic Trail at McDowell Mountain Regional Park
Sep 26, 2019 near Rio Verde, AZ
Rest, Wrench or Refueling station. Intersection of Pemberton and Coachwhip
Oct 20, 2019 near Fountai…, AZ

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 17 hours ago
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Check-Ins

Sep 23, 2023
Tom Riddle
The Northwest section of the trail was burned by the Diamond Fire in June 2023. The trail remains in good shape. The signs are all intact.
Mar 26, 2023
Ross Cournoyer
Fun and easy trail for beginner mountain bikers. It's a long ascent with a long gradual ascent. You'll hardly need to peddle the last half. 15.7mi — 2h 08m
Feb 1, 2023
Will Day
15.3mi — 1h 37m
Jan 22, 2023
Jeff Q
Oct 21, 2022
Todd Rinaldi
Oct 11, 2022
Frank Metzger
Feb 28, 2022
Kyle Helmig
17.6mi
Feb 28, 2022
Andrea Helmig
15.7mi

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