The Pearl Charles (Trail 1A) Loop

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

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This is a lollipop-shaped route whose "stick" section is easy riding & mostly parallels roadways but is still fun. The "loop" section has some great intermediate riding you don't want to miss, but also some unrideable sections which are really for hikers, not bikes. All of the western section of the loop is a "don't miss" & the northern area remains fun & rideable, sharing some sections with Trail 100. I suggest riding north on the western part of the loop then east on the northern section. You can stop when it's no longer fun and turn back or hop over to Trail 100.

There are many ways to access this trail. This way is easy to describe, convenient to access and close to the beginning / end of the trail. There are places to park which get you to the "meat" of the trail (from a mountain biking perspective) more quickly, but until you get more familiar, I suggest parking at the E. Myrtle Ave trailhead. The ride to the good stuff is short and easy, and you can scope out places to park elsewhere next time you come.

From the NE corner of the E Myrtle Ave parking area, access the trail which will descend down into the wash before proceeding through a tunnel below the SR-51 freeway. Next, the trail will parallel N. 20th Street as it heads north. Shortly, N. 20th Street ends and the trail slips into a narrow area between residential backyards & the freeway retaining wall.

When you emerge from this channel, the loop portion of the trail begins. Head left, as veering right takes you to an unrideable area of the southern section that begins just east of N 22nd St.

Continue riding north on the western section then east on the northern section until you are tired or wish to turn around. At this point, simply return the way you came back to the parking area.

If you choose to continue through the whole lollipop as mapped, be prepared for variable conditions, challenging obstacles, and hike-a-bike sections galore.