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Sidewinder Trail

Intermediate/Difficult
 4.1 (36)
  1. Areas
  2. AZ
  3. …Phoenix Metro
  4. Anthem & New River
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“One of the toughest trails in the Sonoran Preserve. ”

Pierre Munger
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7.1

Miles

11.4

KM
Singletrack

2,082' 634 m

High

1,739' 530 m

Low

683' 208 m

Up

806' 246 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

16%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Trailhead Hours: 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Trail Hours: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Need to Know

This is a multi-use trail also frequented by hikers and horseback riders.

Description

Built for mountain biking, Sidewinder Trail is the longest, most technical trail in the North Sonoran Preserve.

Beginning from the Apache Wash Trailhead, head around the east side of Apache Hill and gradually climb before dropping down on the north side, intersecting Apache Wash Loop. The trail then heads into the north flats before climbing again, passing the 14th and 10th St. connectors and Ridgeback Trail. It descends into some tight washes as it climbs steadily again before passing the Central Avenue connector trail. From there, it briefly joins the Ocotillo Trail and quickly starts climbing again.

At about mile 5, Ocotillo diverges toward the south while Sidewinder continues to climb west and then north, eventually bending northeast after passing the communication towers, descending the last 1 mile to the Desert Hills Trailhead.

Contacts

Local Club: Cave Creek Bicycle Association

Land Manager: City of Phoenix - Trails and Desert Preserves

Shared By:

Pierre Munger
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 36 votes

#1

in Anthem & New River

#410

Overall
  4.1 from 36 votes
5 Star
42%
4 Star
39%
3 Star
11%
2 Star
6%
1 Star
3%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Anthem & New River

#25

in Arizona

#410

Overall
59 Views Last Month
5,308 Since Oct 20, 2014
Intermediate/Difficult
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16%
25%
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Photos

Sidewinder Trail cutting through the saguaros
Feb 14, 2015 near Anthem, AZ
Sidewinder, Ridgeback, and Ocotillo loop in 4K
Mar 10, 2022 near Cave Creek, AZ
The hills are alive...with poppies.
Mar 5, 2017 near Anthem, AZ
SW peak of Sidewinder trail in the early fall morning.
Oct 19, 2017 near Cave Creek, AZ
Sidewinder Junction
Jan 4, 2015 near Cave Creek, AZ
In mid-March, the desert is in stunning, full bloom.
Mar 20, 2017 near Anthem, AZ

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 1 day ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Mar 22, 2022
Mountain Park
5mi — 1h 00m
Jan 11, 2022
Mountain Park
7mi — 1h 15m
Dec 4, 2021
Mountain Park
7.1mi — 1h 18m
Apr 30, 2021
Ed Abula
Jan 1, 2021
Kevan H.
Sep 25, 2020
Lisa Barnes
Sep 13, 2020
Stephen Manders
Varying degrees of rock terrain.
Feb 1, 2020
Ben Rakozy

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