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Trail Description:
After a 1.2 mile fire road the trail starts.You immidiatly have a choice, To go up National (the harder of the two) or Mormon. Most people choose Mormon. You start climbing fast. The climmbig is technical in a lot of areas, but all is ride-able. After two milles you meet back up with National. You can either go down National or keep going. To keep going would be the best choice. The trail is very technical but very fun even for the best riders. After about three milles of some of the most fun climbing available you will come to a parking lot. From there you are presented with a few more decisions. You can head down the same way you came or hook up with either Corona Loma or Kiwanas. Both are some of the narliest scariest downhills ever (experts only).
How to get there:
All trails are located in Pheonix's South Mountian Park (The worlds largest city park). Go west on Guadalupe, JUST AFTER crossing I-10 turn left at the T junction (point Pkwy E). Take the first right (48th) and almost immediately go left into the park. Continue the the parking lot.
| Posted by: James on 6/29/2008 |
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Why do so many people put "Mormon-National" together as if they're the same trail? They are not the same trail. They are both on South Mountain, and they do intersect at one point, but they are two totally different trails. Mormon is definitely the "easier" of the two as it is far less technical than National (and shorter, though the section from the top of Mormon down to 24th St and Baseline will challenge riders of any skill level). Speaking specifically on the downhill direction of both trails, if fast, flowing descents are what you're looking for, Mormon will be more in line with what you want than National. If, on the other hand, you like a technical challenge, with bone-breaking rocks begging for you to make a mistake at every turn, National will not disappoint. With all of that said, both trails are awesome and both deserve some individual recognition.
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| Posted by: Shawn on 7/14/2007 |
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One of the best rides in phoenix! The mt is not very forgiving so bring some pads if you plan on riding down some of the drops. One day you'll kick butt and the next you'll get yours kicked. Be safe and have a blast.
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| Posted by: Flicky on 11/7/2006 |
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Just rode the length of the National trail last week and them dropped down past the towers on Telegraph pass. Look out the descent is absolutly insane. Both the National and Telegraph pass are for Experts only. We did a lot of walking!!! It was worth it though. Sweet ride.
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| Posted by: Ryan on 4/28/2006 |
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I started doing very very light mountain biking on a trek 4300 in norther minnesota about a year or so ago. When I arrived at ASU i needed something to occupy my time, and the people at tempe bike told me to head over to s. mtn. I was hooked! It was embarassing at first because i had to walk up a lot of the hills, then back down them on the way back, (the trails i was on in Northern minnesota were not nearly as technical as these) but i have worked at enough to where i can now ride up and down almost the entire trail. very very very very very highly recommended to anybody in the Phoenix area.
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| Posted by: Stinky on 10/4/2004 |
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Don't go on the weekends unless you just want to be in traffic (dog, foot, horse and bike)! Also, it is worth checking out Javalina and the West Loop trails for those who are pressed for time, but still want to get in a good ride. I'm not really fond of big drops with flat landings, so I don't usually go down Telegraph, but the rest of the areas are fast and fun. Beginners should look elsewhere, as these trails would not be fun for those who have less than worthy bikes or are not in at least good cardiovascular condition. As always, it's better to have too much H2O than not enough and wear your helmet.
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| Posted by: Brad on 9/4/2004 |
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This is one of the best challenges Arizona has to offer. Must have balance and strength. Have fun...it's a blast!
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| Posted by: The Director on 12/9/2003 |
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Damn this ride is hairy...not for the faint of heart or timid. But what a blast!!!
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| Posted by: Jordan on 12/31/2002 |
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This is a great trail. There are alot of fast sections with little ledges.I wouldn't recommend this trail for beginners.
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| Posted by: Dino DeLuca on 10/4/1999 |
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I enjoy hairball rides, and this ride has enough twists, turns, rocks, climbs, drops, and speedy downhills to rattle the best of us. There are lots of spurs to always do something different also.
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| Posted by: scooby on 9/22/1999 |
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this is a great trail to bomb down, just make sure to get there before sunrise because there are a lot of hikers after 7:00.
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