972

Trail #972 is 2.1 miles long through the Gila National Forest. It is accessed on the north end from Trail #968, or near the southern end from Trail #974; however, the southern end ends at a locked gate on private property. The trail is mostly easy, except for one really steep hill near the northern end, which is full of loose baby head-sized rocks that make it hard to maintain traction on the climb. The climb is only for a few hundred feet, but it would really test the inexperienced rider due to such loose terrain on a steep slope. The loose rocks ping you around and make it hard to stay straight or keep momentum. The rest of the trail is much easier, with fewer rocks and shallow ruts. Sometimes it is a bit silty and sandy, and it doesn’t look very trafficked. It goes through a very dry high desert terrain of juniper and ponderosa pine, and there is potential for downfall in this area.