AZOFFROAD.NET

In this short ride, pass through an oasis in the desert and then ride through a hilly wind road back to the start.
Start by staging just north of Lake Pleasant (reached by taking Castle Hot Springs Rd. staying left and crossing over the lake). From here turn left and then right to get onto Castle Hot Springs Rd. Reset your trip odometer and head north. At about 1.5 miles enter a wash and follow it. At 3.4 miles you should pass a dump truck and a tractor (respect the Keep Out sign). Castle Hot Springs, which you can’t miss is at 4.2 miles. This is a good place to stop and take a picture this oasis in the desert. Shortly after pass between a while fence and climb uphill. At 5.6 miles you pass the site of another hot springs with palm trees and buildings At 6.2 miles, you come to a ‘T’. Turn right onto Champie Rd. After 7 miles, the trail begins to get windy. Make sure to proceed with caution up and down and round these turns and hills. A small mining dump sits off to the right at 8.3 miles, however, there is not much to see. Stay right at 8 ¾ miles. At 10.1 turn right. This is Cow Creek Rd. and will take you back to where you parked. Get a good view of Lake Pleasant at 12.95 miles. However, do not ride up this hill because it is already destroyed the vegetation on it. Once you continue riding at 17 ¼ mile you get back to your car.
The trail is fairly easy but is rated moderate because of the hills and turns on Champie Rd. This whole trip can be done in about 3-4 hours. Trail condition (as of June 2009) is good.