We found a new trail and it’s awesome! Mockingbird/Shemwell Trail is the newest addition to the Starr Pass trail network, built in fall 2021 by Pima County NRPR and Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists. We incorporated it into our ride the other day and did a route covering 15.8 miles with 1408′ of climbing.
We rode down the new trail by climbing up Explorer Trail from the west. Explorer is a black diamond trail and that rating is appropriate as there are intricate sections of jumbled sharp rocks strewn about. It’s a steep climb in sections and then tapers off when all the rocks start. Taking a left onto the new trail, we were treated to some really fun trail riding! Great new trail and next time we’ll try approaching it by riding Explorer from the east to see if that is easier. You could also climb up the new trail and then turn around and descend, or head out either way on Explorer but either way, not beginner friendly.
It POURED the day before Christmas so we stayed indoor, but for Christmas I rode one of my “regular” road loops and relished in the quietness of the city on a weekend morning. I like to get out and see the neighborhoods and mountains around town. We had a low key celebration. Derek made himself steak and me salmon for dinner. Yum
Leave a Reply