Name: Templeton Trail
Rating: 4.2

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Description

Starting at Slim Shady, this trail heads west, past the popular Cathedral Rock hiking trail, to a beautiful lunch spot on Oak Creek, then connects to the Baldwin Loop.

Templeton is more difficult than Slim Shady - it's still worth doing for intermediate riders but they'll find themselves walking a bit. The first section from Slim Shady is fairly mellow, with only a few very short rocky areas, but mostly just twisty red dirt cruising. The trail turns to 100% red rock as you contour around and cross the Cathedral Rock Trail.

Cathedral Rock Trail is hikers-only, and gets people up from the nearby trailhead up to the top of Cathedral Rock. Pay attention and be courteous here - it's an incredibly popular area for hikers, notably less experienced hikers. You'll likely get a few questions or comments from incredulous people asking if you've really ridden your bicycle to this spot! Although it's busy, there is some fun playing that can be done on all the red rock around this area.

The descent from Catherdral Rock area is the trickiest part of the trail, though most of it is rideable without terrible consequences if you fall. You'll follow several switchbacks and ride or walk over a sustained rocky section before reaching the bottom. Here, you'll be rewarded with a much more lush area along Oak Creek. There are plenty of spots for a dip if you're hot, then a rocky technical section to the end where Baldwin Loop starts.