This highly-rated trail is a fun technical mix with some great views, especially of the ubiquitous barrel cacti on this cambered mesa. The trail is a mix of solid dirt and large flat rocks that are sharp in places. It is consistent moderate climb up to awesome 360 degree views with a few sections that are a real challenge to navigate the rocks. You can cut the loop way short at a cut across trail that makes the loop a Figure 8. This cuts off the most technical riding so beginners may want to do that. The most technical features are at the very top of the climbing.
The trail system is just above the town of Santa Clara. You can get up to it by parking off of Gates Rd. and climbing the singletrack up, or just drive up to the trailhead parking. There is a good mix of trails up here, and an equally good mix of recreationalists from ATV riders to full-on militia gun shooting.
