Pemberton Trail
The Beautiful Pemberton Trail is located on the Eastern part of the Mcdowell Mountains. It is slightly more difficult in my opinion than the Desert Classic Trail because it does have more elevation gain and it has a few drops over 3 ft. Overall it is a pretty fun ride and the trail has quite a few picturesque sights of our gorgeous Sonoran Desert. It is however the farthest from Central Phoenix out of this list.
Directions: From E. Sky Harbor Blvd. follow signs for Downtown/I-10 W/AZ-51/Phoenix and merge onto I-10 W. (1 mile). Then take exit 147A-B for AZ-51 N. and continue onto AZ-51 N.(1 mile). Then take exit 15A to merge onto AZ-101 Loop E. (15 miles). Then take exit 35 for Hayden Rd. and turn left onto Hayden Rd. (1.5 miles). Then turn right onto E Thompson Peak Pkwy. and then turn left onto N. Pima Rd. (2 miles). Then make a right on E. Happey Valley Rd. and continue onto N. 118th St.(5 miles). Then turn right onto Ranch Gate Rd. and in two miles you will arrive at Pemberton Trail.