This is an easy bike ride. Lots of horses to look at. Park at the equestrian center. Restroom off to the left as you drive into the equestrian center. Finding the trailhead: Turn off of Riggs Rd and drive in the front entrance of the equestrian center. As you drive under the big entrance sign look to your immediate left. The trailhead starts there with a map of the trail. The first 1/8 mile is packed dirt/pea gravel, but it quickly turns into asphalt.

My dog and I were tired of hiking around the neighborhood to get in our daily four miles, so we expanded our walking horizon to the Skunk Creek Trail. This is a fairly well kept trail that is fully paved on the south side of the Creek, and partially paved on the north side. When paved meets dirt and gravel at paved trail's end on the north side, the hiking is still easy. We liked the taste of desert still within the city limits. Today was our second adventure having located a place to park and access the trail. We saw a road runner, quail (collectively), and, because I know they perch high in the trees that surround a trail, one little hummingbird. We passed other hikers and bikers, all of whom were friendly enough to say hello (and adhere to the trail 'rules' or suggestions posted -- communicate!). I liked that bikers who can easily sneak up behind a walker, called out their intention to pass us as they approached. Thank you! I also discovered that there appears to be a man living under the 59th Street overpass, on the south side of the trail. I wasn't sure when I passed that way on the first part of our walk as I was on the north side, but being on the south trail on our return, I clearly saw him hiking down from the side of the hill to resume his 'perch' under the overpass. The only downside to hiking the Skunk Creek Trail is one that responsible dog owners can relate to: there is a great deal of dog poo along all sides of the trail, although there are poo stations offering pick-up bags and disposal cans. I will never understand not taking responsibility for your own dog (and I wonder what those persons' yards and homes look like). We'll hike this trail again...it was a good outing.

This is a utility road where they put up bike trail signs. Tirned out to be a pleasant ride. There are NO trailheads at either end of the trail. Enter by using the park on horne road and ridingthe road to access the trail. Sections of the trail have washboard and lots of broken glass. Gets prettier as u go north. At t

When/If you find yourself on this path it's pretty nice, however It's completely unmarked and abruptly ends in places, as was my experience with all of the Phoenix area trails.

For someone new to the area I was horribly frustrated. Finding a trail head was difficult in itself, and there is no overnight trailhead parking. I don't think I ever saw the name of the trail posted anywhere. The trail is mostly the maintenance access route for the canal so there are many no trespassing signs, but that's really the trail. The surface is mixed blacktop, concrete, packed gravel. The underpasses west of Scottsdale are littered with personal belongings and people. Most of the road crossings are unprotected and require dismounting and waiting for traffic. never again.

very well marked, clean, urban scenic.

the parking area in Tempe was easy to find. start with a nice run along the lake. the trail is clean and well lighted for the first couple miles? i don't recall how far before the lights end. i noticed one water fountain near the parking area. bring a water bottle. no trash cans. i carried my empty Huma pack back to the park. pack it out- pack it in. not many people on the trail when i started but when i returned there were many runners and bikers.
trail is concrete ans asphalt. some nice sculptures along the way. runs next to the airport.
i ran 5 miles out and back.
i ran this trail as i'm currently working on an injury. i wanted something easy.

I also started at the Rio Park and found it delightful. Having ridden the Arizona Canal Trail the previous day I much preferred the New River Trail. There are no road crossings at all. The surface was either paved or concrete the whole way. There was a section or two where a trike would find bumpy as the seams are not flat. My turning radius is horrible thus there were 3-4 areas where I had to back up several times to make the turn. But overall it is a great Trail.

Rode the trail this morning. I started at Rio Salado on the south side at 15th Ave. Was able to ride all the way to Dobson Rd. McClintock Rd was the only place where I was required to cross a road. If you are looking for an east-west, Phoenix to Mesa connector this is a good one.
This section is a wide paved section. I was only on the south side. I didn't ride the north side of the lake this morning. There are plenty of places to pull off and rest. Or even ride off the trail to a store or restaurant.