Fat Tire

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Sitting Bull, Fat Tire, and South Ridge are all a part of a trail area referred to as The Maze by locals. The trails, along with their associated connectors, cross two ridges for about a mile, ascending towards the eastern slope of the Franklin Mountains. With fewer rocks than most area trails and easy grades, they're a good introduction for runners getting used to desert trails.

Fat Tire splits off from Old Tine Mine Road a short distance after it begins. Look for a sign marking The Maze, which marks the start of the trail. The path is an easy, winding singletrack along the side of a short hill, heading west. Rocks along the trail are mostly small, and there are fewer plants namely, cacti along the side, making for an easier run.

The western half of the trail is less rocky, continuing an easy climb ending shortly after the second turnoff to Sitting Bull. The trail then descends and ends at South Ridge. A small rock cairn marks the intersection, which is somewhat easier to see if eastbound on South Ridge.

Sotols, creosote bushes, agaves and ocotillos. ack rabbits and several species of birds.