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Painted Rock Loop

 4.5 (4)
  1. Areas
  2. AZ
  3. …Central AZ
  4. …Prescott National Forest
  5. Thumb Butte Area
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13.2 Miles 21.2 Kilometers


100%

Singletrack

1,204' 367 m

Ascent

-1,204' -367 m

Descent

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

15%

Max Grade (9°)

6,027' 1,837 m

High

5,555' 1,693 m

Low

Shared By michael maier

Conditions

All Clear 57 days ago
Mostly Dry History
Getting forecast...

“If any mountain biker visiting Prescott were only able to do only one ride, I would take them on this.”

— michael maier
Driving DirectionsGPX File

Dogs Off-leash

Features -none-

Overview

Painted Rock trailhead is well known to the locals. This loop utilizes some of the most amazing fast flowy singletrack from the go. To start your ride, head down the West Trail #318 then onto Firewater Trail #325—by this point, I can guarantee you'll be smiling big! The entire loop is amazing. Make sure you slow down to look at some of the scenery especially views along Willow Creek and when winding around Juniper Gate. Painted Rock (also known as White Rock) is a no-fee parking lot just up the mountain past Thumb Butte Recreation Area.

Description

Painted Rock used to be a painted rock along the trailhead. Now it is a improved parking lot on Thumb Butte Road, just past Thumb Butte Recreation Area. Start here.

Head down West Trail #318, which is fast and fun. Then, hang a left of Firewater Trail #325 for more fast and fun riding. Bottom out along Willow Creek before heading right up and over some cliffs looking down into Willow Creek. Stay right onto Noodle Trail for a little bit, and after crossing Spence Springs Road, look for Juniper Gate and another trailhead. Continue through some amazing winding singletrack up to Vista Trail, going left at a couple of big juniper trees. This tops out on Javelina Trail #332.

Go right up to the upper parking lot and look for West Side Story, which will take you down and around the whole valley. Stay on West Side Story all the way until you hit Russ T. Fender (and you want to hit Russ T. Fender—it's one of my favorites in the whole loop). Russ T. Fender eventually comes into Tatanka, and brings you back to Javelina Trail #332. Follow Javelina Trail #332 up and up until you hit West Trail #318 and back the Painted Rock parking lot.

History & Background

Painted Rock used to be a big rock painted white marking the trailhead. Now it is a improved parking lot on Thumb Butte Road just past Thumb Butte Recreation Area. It's a no-fee parking area right in the middle of Prescott's singletrack.

Contacts

Local Club: Prescott Mountain Bike Alliance

Apr 17, 2017: Greater Prescott Trails Plan Public Workshop May 9 2017

Apr 13, 2017: Trail Work Day May 13 2017

Mar 3, 2017: The Javelina Stampede Race Saturday, May 6th

Land Manager: USFS - Prescott National Forest Office

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Check-Ins

Nov 20, 2018
Patrick Woods
All clear. Trails in good condition. Some loose/sandy areas, but traction is there if you're not going mach-chicken. 14.9mi — 2h 00m
Oct 26, 2018
miguel buenrostro miguelbuenrostro1986@gmail.com

Stewarded By

Stewarded by Prescott Mountain Bike Alliance
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 4 votes

#1

in Thumb Butte Area

#1314

Overall
  4.5 from 4 votes
5 Star
75%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
25%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Rankings

#1

in Thumb Butte Area

#47

in Arizona

#1,314

Overall
297 Views Last Month
1,481 Since Sep 29, 2018
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Photos

Supreme technical skills.
Supreme technical skills.
 18
West Side Story
West Side Story
 3
RIP Dave Mangan
RIP Dave Mangan
 3
West Side Story
West Side Story
 3
Maile doing some climbing
Maile doing some climbing
 3
Russ T. Fender trail.
Russ T. Fender trail.
 3

2 Comments

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Patrick Woods
Patrick Woods  
This loop is over-rated. The trails are well-built (as usual for Prescott), but it's almost exclusively an xc ride...there's a crap-ton of pedaling for very little pay-off. And it ends in a 2+ mile uphill. It's a good ride, but meh. Nov 20, 2018
Patrick Woods
Patrick Woods  
Just a thought: I wonder if it's possible to start this loop near Oakmont and Midway, around the lowest point in the loop? That way the ride would finish with a fun DH section. Nov 22, 2018

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