Thumper Loop

Thumper Loop

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	Thumper Loop
Location:	Northern Arizona
Nearest Town:	Cottonwood(just South of Sedona)
Directions to Trailhead:	The trailhead is at Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood, Arizona. There are brown signs directing visitors to DHRSP from many adjacent communities, and numerous signs in Cottonwood itself. The Park is in central Cottonwood, just off of Main Street. (Call 928-634-5283.) There is a $5 per carload fee to enter the park (which entitles you to use of the astonishingly clean shower facilities), and camping is available. Because Sedona is nearby (25 minute drive), Dead Horse Ranch is an excellent place to camp ($12 & $19 per night, RV hookups available) and make daily riding expeditions to Sedona's many trails. However, as long as you're at the Park, you should ride Thumper. Take the second left after entering the Park, and park in the first parking area to your right. The trailhead is clearly visible from there, a kiosk with a large map and sage trail advice. Free maps are available at the entry station/visitor center. A couple of the Park Rangers actually ride, and will be happy to provide visitors with detailed trail info. Bike & Bean (928-284-0210) and Absolute Bikes (928-284-1242) in the Village of Oak Creek are the nearest bike shops.
Trail Description:	The Thumper Loop is actually comprised of portions of three trails: Raptor, Thumper, and Lime Kiln. The Raptor singletrack starts out rocky and rolling for about a quarter-mile, then a steep pitch, "the Evil Hill", appears. This is a real tester, and just about everyone has occasionally pushed their bike up this one (although it can be ridden in the middle ring). But, it's the steepest climb on the entire trail. After this, it's basically a 2 ½ mile grind to the top. Halfway up the climb, you'll go over a cattle guard. At the top, you'll see a bunch of trail signs. Take a right. This is Thumper. Designed by mountain bikers, this section is mostly downhill. Just as the trail gets fun, you'll come to another cattle guard. NOW things start to heat up! The trail is rocky and loose. Small molded bunnies alert you at the hardest technical sections. Beginners will walk these sections, experts will laugh with glee as they fly down 'em. Then you'll come to a sandy doubletrack. Go right. This is Lime Kiln. Although not as "downhilly" as Thumper, it has some fast descending sections. First comes the sand, which gradually solidifies into small rocky dropoffs. Go left at the first fork with the Carsonite (NO Cars) marker. The terrain varies a lot, with sections like "the Stairsteps", and "the Chalk Chute". When you come to the next fork, go right. The trail runs to the right, past the Ranger residences, finally ending in a nice 2-3 foot dropoff that dumps you out onto the Park's main road. Go immediately right, then take the second right to get back to your car. Bring lots of water. Slime yer tires! In the Summertime, try to be on the trail no later than 7:00 am. This is a good place to take beginners, to give them a taste of real mountain biking. And it’s a good place for first time visitors to Arizona - it’s got rocks, it’s got drops, it’s got sand, it’s got speed!! If you race, it’s a fantastic training loop! But please be considerate of other trail users. Remember IMBA’s rules of the trail
Trail Length:	9 miles, 31-70 minutes, depending
Trail Type:	Singletrack
Skill Level:	Intermediate
Web Link:	Arizona State Parks Map
Submitted By:	Randy Victory

xtremerat from phoenix Date: July 10, 2002 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area: Anything in Sedona
Review: I rode the trail starting at the Eastern end. Great workout but big mistake. Ride became 2/3 uphill with a short downhill to parking lot. Easy to find and follow. East to west much more challenging. First mile or so is the most difficult. After that there are some sandy parts but not bad. Overall it is a solid ride going in either direction. Not too flat and not too technical.	Overall Rating:

canyonrc from Tempe Date: June 4, 2002 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Take the trail counter clockwise to fully appreciate the technical down hill. Other recommended trails in the same area: Anything in Sedona or head up to Flagstaff to beat the heat. Check for fire restrictions around the state though.
Review: Don't be fulled by the fact cottonwood is North of Phoenix. The uphill portion of this trail makes things hotter than a spilled bucket of sex. Mind you, its not really a hard climb. Just hot. The downhill, my favorite portion of any trail, is filled with these cool little steps that you can practice jumping off of. Although, there were a couple of parts of the trail that sparked visions of me toppling over the handlebars and losing my teeth on a edge of the steps. I don't feel bad anout walking over those parts though because my buddy wimped out as well. I have the pictures to prove it. In short, its a fun trail. After the ride, if you don't like the town of Cottonwood, you can head up to Gerome for a beer and a burger.	Overall Rating:

The Mongol Lord from Scottsdale Date: May 27, 2002 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Clockwise as described below. I'd have a hard time imagining it being as fun in the other direction. Other recommended trails in the same area: A lot of stuff in Sedona(Broken Arrow, Cathedral Rock, etc)
Review: My buddy and I headed out today for a trail in Prescott but our intelligence sources had been snoozing...all trails were closed in the Prescott Forest! We recalled hearing of a trail in Cottonwood so we gave it a shot. We were quite pleased with the terrain and the trail itself. A bit of climbing in the first few miles that were more than rewarded on the Thumper section itself with fun downhill runs, a few hairpin turns, some ledges(not too drastic but enough to make you think), and some tight, twisty track with berms and banks. The final section down Lime Kiln was a hoot, too. This is a good ride for intermediate to advanced riders and it would probably get more bike traffic if it weren't situated between Prescott and Sedona.	Overall Rating:

stormrider from nashville, tn Date: April 9, 2002 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: mudmonkey's route is an awesome route to take - you add the top half of Raptor to the usual Thumper loop Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: This trail rocks! Lots of drops, a few tight switchbacks and enough vertical to make your forearms tingle. It can be extremely sandy in some parts, though after a good rain it is all candy.	Overall Rating:

MudMonkey from Scottsdale, AZ Date: March 18, 2002 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: When I got to the Bones/Thumper fork via Raptor I went left approx 200yds and then Raptor climbs up on your right. Climb, climb, and more climb till you are somewhat on top of the mesa. Look for a large (5ft)concrete bunny on your right. Turn around and check your brakes and your panties. If you keep climbing there are miles and miles of forest roads and cattle trails. Many of these roads dead end on the mesa fingers. You can get lost up there so be aware. After descending the top of Raptor take Thumper and the sandy bog back home. Other recommended trails in the same area: I17 and 89A
Review: I don't know why this trail has a good rating. I mean there was nobody out there. I was so isolated I almost cried. The loose surface reminds me of my favorite toy as a kid - the Sit n' Spin. Rear wheel traction is not an option when climbing Raptor. Then the descent totally bites. I mean all those fast 2-4ft drops . . . I think the user fee should go towards paving the trail. Then there is Thumper itself. . . tight switchbacks, drops, and concrete bunnies. This trail is such a waste of time. You are much better off to go north to Sedona and join the hordes of tourist bikers on Subway Rock!	Overall Rating:

Todd Runck from Tempe, Az. Date: March 15, 2001 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Same as above Other recommended trails in the same area: This was my first visit to Dead Horse State Park to ride, usually blow by on my way to Sedona or Flag, but, I wil return. Dead Horse State Park has excellent facilities.
Review: I rode Thumper both ways, the recommended clockwise way the first time, then backwards counterclockwise the second. Clockwise is easier clmbing & more technical decending, counterclockwise is more technical climbing and fast decending...DUH!!!	Overall Rating:

cosmic ray from flagstaff, az Date: March 2, 2001 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: as above Other recommended trails in the same area: sedona
Review: this trail rocks. interesting terrain. great single track. great 3 season winter ride. too damn hot in the summer though.	Overall Rating:

Bert-o-matic from Cottontown Date: December 19, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: See the above reviews, their prety close and accurate Other recommended trails in the same area: mingus mt downhill
Review: hey this is a desert trail that has a little of everything on it. the trail is mostly frequented by locals but lately a lot of out of towneres have been riding it because it is a fun and somewhat challenging shred. if you have a longer range, say around 20-25 miles repeat the raaptor section and go to the top and ride bones. it is fast,fun and the downhill is a challenge especially for a cross country geek like myself. it makes for a hell of a workout and on the way back swing by sosa's deli for a sandwich	Overall Rating:

Seth W. from Cottonwood, AZ Date: December 8, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Take I-17 to Camp Verde exit, drive North on Hwy 260 through Cottonwood to DEAD HORSE STATE PARK or RIVERFRONT PARK, (depending on how close you want to be to the Trailhead). From the park enrance.. ride into the park, and take the SECOND LEFT and head up the road, at the first parking lot pull-off there is the trailhead...ENJOY! Other recommended trails in the same area: I would recommend any ride in Sedona... Mingus Mountain Downhill is a good'n And ya got the ones in Flagstaff too, or Phoenix, or...anywhere for that matter.
Review: From the Trailhead, you ride due north by north-east, the first hill is a GRINDER...! these sets of hills that run up the first part of the Trail are called RAPTOR... and there are 5... count em' 5 major hills, after these hills, there is a gate after the 2nd or 3rd hill, you can either open and close it..or... (my favorite), kiss the dirt and drag your bike under the gate (time saver too), after you've done the 5 major hills, you'll come to a fork, BONES goes left (never done that), and Lime Kiln Trail (Thumper) goes right, after about a mile of flat trail (RECOVERY!) the chain of descents come, some of em' are pretty sick... and after the first major descent you'll come to another gate.. and you'll have to open this one. keep riding for quite a while, and you'll pass the first and second thumper descent with no problem, and come out onto a sandy, somewhat flat fire road, and when i say sandy... i mean SANDY,follow this road for a while and you'll come to a fork in the road, take a right this time, and keep going, you'll come to a sick technical section (me an'my pa call it Bob falls... but i dunno why..) keep goin and you should be able to make it back to the road with no problem... just watch out for the last drop, its quite steep!! after hitting the road, take a cool down VIA the Verde River (only recommended in summer) or catch a Brew at the Local Bar or Convenience Store, Stop by Mingus Mountain Bikes and say a friendly Hello! to Carl and his Trusty Side-Kicks, and if'n yer in the mood for some real stuff... go to Aston Racing, (not for the faint hearted)... Well thats about it... Hope to see ya on th' Trail, RIDE BALLS TO THE WALL, AND REGRET NOTHING. HAPPY TRAILS ALL	Overall Rating: