Quartz Ridge

I joined the group from the park to ride Quartz Ridge west of Highway 87 northeast of Phoenix. This trail is known for its quartz rock outcroppings which apparently are fairly rare in Arizona...

Bird of prey sitting on a thorny cactus

The ridge is a narrow trail surrounded by Saguaro cactus

Lunch at the end of the trail

I do have two caveats:

1. There are bushes sticking out onto the trail that cannot be avoided. You will definitely have "Arizona pinstripes" on your vehicle by the end of the day.
2. Sections of the trail are off-camber with deep ruts. Wheel placement is critical to staying upright.

Lastly, here's a video showcasing some the beauty and challenges of the trail...