Courtesy of www.2az.us

Directions: All rides begin at Fry's parking lot on the northwest corner of Gilbert Rd. and University. Ride west on University until reaching the canal, turn right onto first access road and begin your ride. The paved multi-use path begins at 8th Ave. and ends at Country Club.
Length: Multiple choice see ride map.
Ride: Access roads beside the SRP canals. Caution, frequent street and major road crossings.
Scenery: Nice view of Red Mt., Four Peaks, etc., after crossing McDowell Rd.
Rating: Easy - Moderate. Combination bike path, washboard, rocky spots, sand, hills and fine dirt. The Fry's / Hawes Loop ride is fun, and long. Hawes is great single-track.
Season: Year-round. Best done early a.m., traffic gets crazy later in the day.

Caution! Frequent
road crossings.

Not recommended
for young children!

Ride Loops

Time & mileage:  Courtesy of quasi-accurate Specialized bike computer. Your time and mileage may differ slightly. My average speed 13 - 15 mph.

#1: Country Club Loop
Fry's to Country Club and back
Miles: 6.58
Average time: 20 - 30 minutes
Route: Ride the east side of the canal to Country Club, then return to Fry's. Nice, new, multi-use path most of the way. Good 20 minute workout, or leisurely ride.

#2: McKellips Loop
Fry's to McKellips and back
Miles:  6.06
Average time: 20 - 30 minutes
Route: Ride the east side of the canal to McKellips, then cross over to the west side and ride to the multi-use path, near Horne. Turn left, cross the bridge and return to Fry's.

#3: McDowell Fall
Fry's to McDowell and back
Miles: 10.49
Average time: 40 - 60 minutes
Route: Ride the east side of the canal until you get to McKellips, then cross and ride the north side of the canal. Ride to Gilbert and 202, go under Gilbert via tunnel then climb the incline beside McDowell falls. Return to Fry's.

 

#4: Pump House
Fry's to Val Vista and back
Miles: 13.52
Average time: 1 - 1.5 hours
Route: Ride the east side of the canal until you get to McKellips, then cross and ride the north side of the canal. Take the tunnels under Gilbert and the 202, continue riding to Val Vista. The Pump House is across Val Vista, about 100 yards down the Canal. Return to Fry's.

#5: Lost Highway Bridge
Fry's to Lost Hwy. Bridge and back
Miles: 18.34
Average time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Route: Ride the east side of the canal until you get to McKellips, then cross and ride the north side of the canal, passing under Gilbert and the 202, continuing past the gravel pit; you will come upon a bridge to the right, access to the gravel pit. Take a break on the bridge then return to Fry's.

#6: Granite Reef
Fry's to Granite Reef Dam and back
Miles: 23.59
Average time: 2 - 3 hours
Route: Ride the east side of the canal until you get to McKellips, then cross and ride the north side of the canal, passing under Gilbert, the 202, continuing past the gravel pit, and the bridge until you reach Granite Reef Dam. Stop at the dam and enjoy a snack. Generally, a slight head wind makes the return ride a bit harder.

Fry's to Hawes Loop and back
Miles:  Up to you!
Average time: 3 to 5 hours
Route: Ride the east side of the canal until you get to McKellips., cross and then ride the north side of the canal, passing under Gilbert & the 202, past the gravel pit, and the bridge until you reach Granite Reef Dam.
Hawes Loop: See trails map.


Trail Map






See more about this at www.2az.us/mtb-mesa-canal.html

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