There's so much in Palmer. You can usually ride trails in either direction but the attempt of this route is to have fun on some of the harder, technical trails.
Loads of races, hikers, bikers and horseback riders on weekends! Recommend to go early or weekdays!
Starting at the south east corner of Palmer Park by the intersection of Academy Blvd. and Maizeland Rd. There is parking here and bathrooms. Later, when you're done, "fresh" roller dogs await you at Kum & Go across Maizeland.
Find your way towards the back corner, Academy side and look for
Greencrest Trail heading north. It will have you on a doubletrack until you see a trail sign, this is the start!
About half a mile into your climb, a confusing intersection will come up. Paseo Road will be on your left with a dirt road heading roughly north with a gate. You want to veer left, but the trail further from Paseo Road, named
Greencrest Connector on here. This will connect with
Mini Moab and deliver your first bit of technical. The notch is mandatory.
Towards the end of
Mini Moab, the you can leave the ridge right or left (east or west), you want left (west) down a drainage to a small parking lot. Go through this lot, across the dirt road (Lazyland Rd.) towards a trail sign connecting you to
Greencrest Alternate Trail, take a left to head south. You'll reach an intersection at mile 1.6, head right towards the dog park.
Mile 1.8 will have you pop out north of the off leash dog park, continue through the wooden fence and look for
Templeton Trail on your immediate right. Stay on straight on
Templeton Trail through mile 2.3 and look for your left turn back up to
Yucca Trail at mile 2.6 with a steep, punchy bit.
Hang a right on
Yucca Trail and catch your breath. At mile 3, the road will take a hard left turn. Look for a wooden fence with a trail sign on your right at the apex of the turn. This is your next descent onto
Templeton Trail Alternate. Stay straight onto two quick intersections and then left at mile 3.3 for
Templeton - Lazy Land Connector. Come out at the Lazy Land lot and hang a left, heading north onto
Palmer Point Trail.
Palmer Point Trail will wrap around the north west perimeter and bring you to the stables by mile 5. There is a quick trail on
Paseo Road Connector that will bring you to another parking lot. Cross Paseo Road to gain access to
Grandview Trail to start climbing. At mile 5.8, you'll cross the pavement of Paseo Road with a left turn (crosswalk) to head north onto
Greencrest Trail Connector for a moment. At mile 6, there will be a left turn onto a steep climb to cross over the dog park road onto
Yucca Flats Connector.
From
Yucca Flats Connector it will run into the southern part of
Templeton Trail and then
Yucca Trail. Just follow the contour of the terrain to stay high until mile 6.3 which will be a four way intersection. Take the left onto
Yucca Flats Flow. At mile 6.6, you'll intercept
Templeton Trail again, take it to the right and stay on it until the
Edna Mae Bennet Nature Trail, mile 6.9, take the sharp switchback left downhill.
You'll be at the stables again by mile 7.3, follow the road out, cross Paseo Road again to climb
Grandview Trail. Look for the
Cheyenne Trail spur at mile 8.3 on your right, take this turn for a quick bit of tech. You'll rejoin
Grandview Trail at mile 8.7, take the right to continue.
Mile 9.1 has a split, take the left onto
Grandview Trail Alternate which will rejoin onto
Grandview Trail at mile 9.4. Coming up is the entrance to
Cheyenne Trail on the right with a tight, rocky switchback descent at mile 9.5.
Ride all of
Cheyenne Trail sweet tech and climb back up to
Grandview Trail by mile 10.3, hang a right. Look for a left turn at mile 10.4,
Grandview - Kinnickinnick Shortcut to cross
Grandview Overlook Road and join
Kinnickinnick Trail.
Navigate the technical descent and hang the first left to stay on
Kinnickinnick Trail all the way back to the park at the start. Stay straight at mile 11 and again at mile 11.3.
Kinnickinnick Trail will start descending at mile 11.4 with the trail going right. Watch the road crossing at mile 11.8, continue straight.
Drop the hammer to bring it home!
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