SCF-ORIG - January 2026 SxS Group Ride to the Bradshaw and Wickenburg Mountains

The SCF-ORIG January SxS Group Ride took place on Saturday, January 10, 2026, with a scheduled 9:00 a.m. departure. Twenty machines and 33 riders gathered at the staging area by the fire station, ready for a full day of exploration. The morning greeted us with the coldest temperatures we’ve experienced so far this year, but that didn’t deter anyone. Riders arrived bundled up, and more than a few blankets were spotted tucked inside machine cabs. Before the ride could officially begin, a low tire pressure issue set us back a few minutes. Fortunately, David Smith came to the rescue with an air pump, quickly resolving the problem. With that behind us, excitement was high, this ride promised mostly brand-new trails. The group rolled out at about 9:10 AM, led by Chico and Lori, with Ted and MaryEllen Metherel serving as tail gunners and Jerry & Gwen Lufkin closing gates. A steady breeze worked in our favor, allowing us to make up some lost time while keeping dust to a minimum.

This loop ride explored both the Bradshaw and Wickenburg Mountains, blending a small amount of familiar terrain with a large dose of new trail. Heading north from SCF to 291st Avenue, the group entered the Whoop-dee-doos, then soon found themselves under the power lines on the way toward Patton Road. This stretch delivered a memorable wildlife sighting: a herd of approximately a dozen whitetail deer, including two large bucks and several does, pronking across the landscape in the same direction we were traveling. After crossing Patton Road, the group turned left onto a new trail that zigzagged through a stunning saguaro-covered landscape before eventually connecting with Ogden Road. A quick time check showed we were back on schedule, so a short stop was made near Highway 60. Riders stretched their legs and discussed the process for safely crossing the busy roadway. Once across Hwy 60, the rigs regrouped and headed toward the trailhead. A sharp left off Castle Hot Springs Road led into a lush, green trail, where a crested saguaro was spotted about a quarter mile in. The ride continued to Ox Wash, where a right turn took the group north through a scenic corridor of towering cliffs and ridge-lined saguaros. Smooth sand combined with several level-2 boulder crossings made this section especially enjoyable. At Stagecoach Road, another stop was made when one rig picked up a flat tire. Thanks to teamwork, the tire was changed quickly and without incident. From there, the group exited the wash and began a steady climb in elevation, opening up to expansive views of the surrounding mountains. This was followed by a dramatic 70-foot drop back into Ox Wash at roughly a 60-degree angle, an attention-getter that had everyone holding on tight while loose gear in the rigs shifted forward.

For the next few miles, the trail was smooth and easy to maneuver then the rigs reached the interesting part of the trail. The trail soon transitioned into a long, steady climb east off Mine Road, gaining elevation for nearly a mile before reaching the ridgeline. The views from the top were spectacular, stretching seemingly forever in every direction. A stop was made to soak it all in, and at this point Blain and Vonda caught up with the group, having tracked us using Ride Command. Now the group consisted of 21 rigs and 35 riders. The remaining miles offered a little of everything—climbs, descents, washes, boulder hopping, and narrow ridge trails that demanded 100% of the driver's focus. The close-up view of Red and White Picacho was a highlight for many since normally it is seen at a great distance as a knob on top of the mountain but seeing it up close was a treat. Eventually, the rigs reached the final stretch leading back to Castle Hot Springs Road. Somehow unbeknown to Chico, the last few rigs fell behind but a mysterious voice was heard over the radio asking, "Should I follow the pink line”. It took about 10 minutes for them to catch up and after a brief regrouping the machines headed straight to Dillon’s for lunch, arriving at 12:40 P.M. The riders were welcomed to an area reserved for our group thanks to Danielle Smith who called from the trail. Everyone enjoyed a hearty meal and then returned toward SCF via the back way. One final flat tire after crossing Patton Road briefly delayed the ride, but Chico, David Smith, and Ted Metheral stayed behind to assist while the rest of the group continued on. Once again, David’s air pump saved the day, and the group rejoined the others at SCF, arriving at 3:15 p.m. A special thank-you goes to Jerry Lufkin, Ted Metherel, Eldon McCool, and Steve Evanson for taking time out of their weekend to help Chico pre-run the trail, on January 3rd, making this outstanding ride possible.

Music:
Drum or Bass by Ryan Stasik; YouTube Audio Library
Soaring by The Grey Room _ Golden Palms; YouTube Audio Library
Engine Fire by Silent Partner; YouTube Audio Library
Behold the Sun by Topher Mohr and Alex Elena; YouTube Audio Library