Backyard

Dogs Unknown

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The character of Backyard is similar to Front Yard and Ryan's Trail; narrow desert singletrack, built on old animal trails. Deeply eroded sections make parts of this trail challenging.

Backyard zig-zags from Ryan to Bart, connecting Ryan, Front Yard, Johnny Walker, Bart, Moab, Beach and Dos Equis. It is a useful connector for creating shorter loops with the trails on the western side of the trail system.

Hiking Front Yard from the parking area, the two trails meet at Backyards mid-point at a saddle overlooking the valley to the north. If you turn left and head down the hill on the doubletrack, you'll be doing Bills loop. See a detailed description of points north on this trail in the description for Bills Loop.

If you continue straight ahead, you'll be on Backyard. Your introduction to Backyard will be Birdpole, a short, but challenging, steep, rocky, eroded segment of Backyard. This is one of the primary connectors to Johnny Walker, which is your access point to the more adventurous trails in the east side of the trail complex.

At the bottom of Birdpole, Johnny Walker continues straight and Backyard cuts back to the right. This section is pretty flat except for several fun little wash crossings that drop straight down, then climb straight up.

A moderate climb out of the valley and Backyard connects to Bart. Turn right and head downhill on Bart to head back, or turn left up the hill and pick up Dos Equis or 8 Ball.