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Desert Classic

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate
 4.0 (110)
  1. Areas
  2. AZ
  3. …Phoenix Metro
  4. South Mountain Park/Preserve
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“The chillest trail in South Mountain ”

Henry Braun
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Map Key

17.5

Miles

28.2

KM

50%

Singletrack

1,573' 479 m

High

1,345' 410 m

Low

881' 268 m

Up

881' 269 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

9%

Max Grade (5°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Overview

Also known as DC, the "classic" in the name means it's good, but it also means it's crowded!

This trail is without a doubt the easiest and least technical ride in South Mountain Park. Crossing the many small washes that run down from the mountain adds some interest and fun without much difficulty. For the more daring rider, there are a fair number of optional jumps and drops as well. Remember to bring plenty of water, especially during the summer!

Description

From the east parking lot, go south, keeping the mountain on your right. You'll see the Desert Classic Trail leave from a map kiosk just after you leave the parking lot. Stay left as you go by the Marcos De Niza Trail and follow the signs as you continue around the mountain toward the TV towers.

From this point, the Desert Classic Trail meanders along hardpack and through sandy washes before reaching its end in a junction with the Telegraph Pass Trail.

Contacts

Land Manager: City of Phoenix - Trails and Desert Preserves

Shared By:

Henry Braun
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 110 votes

#1

in South Mountain Park/Preserve

#162

Overall
  4.0 from 110 votes
5 Star
25%
4 Star
55%
3 Star
15%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
2%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in South Mountain Park/Pr…

#10

in Arizona

#162

Overall
325 Views Last Month
43,208 Since Apr 20, 2013
Intermediate
5%
6%
85%
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2%
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Photos

Sun setting on Desert Classic Trail
Jun 26, 2015 near Guadalupe, AZ
Desert Classic Trail
Dec 25, 2014 near Guadalupe, AZ
A brilliant sunset behind petroglyph rocks.
May 11, 2017 near Guadalupe, AZ
Classic sunrise on Desert Classic Trail
Jul 31, 2016 near Guadalupe, AZ
South Mountain, Arizona 8
Mar 3, 2015 near Guadalupe, AZ
Climbing out of the wash on Desert Classic
Dec 25, 2014 near Guadalupe, AZ

14 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 1 day ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Mar 8, 2023
Will Day
17.8mi — 2h 15m
Feb 4, 2023
Lou Hibbard
c, With Al , want to go back and link clean 17.5mi
Jan 29, 2023
Jeff Q
Jan 14, 2023
Will Day
6.2mi — 0h 47m
Dec 26, 2022
Jim Glaab Sr
Oct 28, 2022
David Radeka
Oct 2, 2022
Dave Smith
May 28, 2022
Steven Herr
if you want a featureless, dusty, 30 mile xc out and back, then this is your ticket

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