Bike the Pemberton Loop in McDowell Mountain Park

Scottsdale, Arizona

Save

View all 9 photos

All 9 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

15.4 miles

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Lacie Griego

Great beginner mountain biking trail close to the Phoenix Metro Area.

This is a 15.4 mile loop that has 879 feet of elevation gain and descent. We took this trail clockwise. The trail is very well marked and maintained. It starts out flat from the parking lot. Once you have made it across the road it begins to climb. You continue with a gradual climb until you've gone about 9 miles. The view keeps improving as you head toward the McDowell Mountains After that it is almost all downhill which makes for a nice speedy ride back to the parking lot.

There are restrooms at the trailhead. It costs $6 for parking.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Mountain Biking

Bathrooms

Easy Parking

Picnic Area

Bike the Pemberton Loop in McDowell Mountain Park Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Climb Girlie Man Near Tom's Thumb

5.9+ 3 bolt slab. About 65ft. To get there you will start on the Tom's Thumb Trail for about .1 mi. Then take the Mesquite canyon trail left (SE) for .2mi. It will connect with the Feldspar trail. Turn left (E) and continue on until you see the climber access sign. Continue on the well marked trail towards the Girlie Man climbing area. Once you get to the base of the climbing area, you will see...

Climb Brusin' and Crusin' on Gardner's Wall

This is a 100 foot 5.8 trad climb. Access the Hanging Garden's climbing area off of the Tom's Thumb Trail. About half way up the trail you will see signage for "Rock Climbing Access Route." On the sign you will see an arrow pointing towards Gardner's Wall. This is the direction you want to take. Following the path, it will drop you down into a field of boulders. Scramble up and over these bould...

Climb Sphincter Boy Near Tom's Thumb

5.9 trad route. About 60ft. Can be set up as a Top Rope. To get there you will start on the Tom's Thumb Trail for about .1 mi. Then take the Mesquite canyon trail left (SE) for .2mi. It will connect with the Feldspar trail. Turn left (E) and continue on until you see the climber access sign. Continue on the well marked trail towards the Girlie Man climbing area. Once you get to the base of the ...

Boulder the Unknown Handcrack near Tom's Thumb

V-easy. 20 feet. Start on the Tom's Thumb Trail about .1 mi. Then take the Mesquite canyon trail left (SE) for .2mi. It will connect with the Feldspar trail. Turn left (E) and continue on until you see the climber access sign. Continue on the well marked trail towards the Girlie Man climbing area. You will see the hand crack just to the right of the trail, a few dozen yards from the actual clim...

Tom's Thumb

The infamous “thumb” can be seen from most places in the valley – a white burst of rock jutting skyward out of the desert ridgeline. The new Tom’s Thumb Trailhead in 2012 has nice restrooms and offers tons of information about the surrounding rock climbing areas, day hikes and desert knowledge about the flora and fauna. Since this area is a bit removed from the city, you are likely to find ...

Climb Hanging Garden's on Gardner's Wall

This is a 2 pitch 5.6 trad climb. About 130 feet in total. Access the Hanging Garden's climbing area off of the Tom's Thumb Trail. About half way up the trail you will see signage for "Rock Climbing Access Route." On the sign you will see an arrow pointing towards Gardner's Wall. This is the direction you want to take. Following the path, it will drop you down into a field of boulders. Scramble...