Figure 8 - Mountain Bike Trail

6.08 mi
Distance
656 ft
Elevation gain
Intermediate
Level
Loop
Route type
0/5
Rating
#2978 place in the world
#1 place in the region
6.08 mi
Distance
656 ft
Elevation gain
Intermediate
Level
Loop
Route type
0/5
Rating
#2978 place in the world
#1 place in the region

The Figure 8 is part of the Phoenix Sonoran Desert Preserve network of bike trails and, as implied by the name, is a looped trail that draws the number 8 on a map. It’s short enough for a quick ride when you don’t have time for something longer. Additionally, it has a few difficult sections and, therefore, should be just right for the intermediate or advanced rider who doesn’t want to strain themselves too much. It’s also part of a recently added section of the preserve system, so it should be relatively unexplored.

Before you go:

Drinking water
Restrooms
Fee required
Lift service
Fat bike grooming
Family Friendly
Night riding
E-bikes allowed
Dogs Allowed
Obstacles
Shuttles

Detailed Trail Description

The trail starts at the Desert Vista Trailhead, where you’ll also have access to other trails on the south end of the preserve’s trail system. You should also be able to find parking at the trailhead. Nevertheless, you start with a climb up the Hawk’s Nest trail, and a quarter of a mile in, you turn right onto the Desert Tortoise road.

You then need to follow that trail until you reach a T junction, where you’ll again turn right onto the Valle Verde trail, giving you access to several looped trails. However, since we were only looking to complete the Figure 8, we again turned right to head to Great Horned Owl Loop.

You can take a right to extend your ride or a left to head straight to the Cactus Wren Trail. That said, both routes are connected to the Cactus Wren Trail by a T-Junction. After that, you can follow the Cactus Wren back to the Valle Verde Trail. 

Stay on the Valle Verde to the Dixie Mountain Loop and take a left at the next intersection for a straight shot back to the Hawk’s Nest trail and the parking lot. However, if you’ve not had enough, taking a right instead of a left should take you the long way around the Dixie Mountain Loop to the start point.

However, this is not part of Figure 8.

Additional Trail Features:

  •       Extra fees; The Phoenix Sonoran Preserve doesn’t require any fees, although you can donate to the Support Public Lands to ensure it remains that way.
  •       Obstacles; With Figure 8, there aren’t any extremely difficult parts or obstacles along the way.
  •       Shuttles; There are no roads in the preserve for the shuttles, so there are no bailouts.

Sights of Interest, landscapes, views

If you go past the normal Figure 8 on the Dixie Mountain Loop, a difficult 0.4 km trail will lead to the Dixie Mountain summit with a great view of the surrounding area.

Recommendations/precautions

  •       While it is a relatively short trail, the technical parts can make it feel longer.
  •       There’s no shade cover throughout the route.
  •       Carry water and a repair kit just in case anything happens.
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