Arizona · Mountain biking

Cheater

0.2 mi
round trip
46 ft
climb
Singletrack
surface
Out and back
route
Mar–Jul, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Cheater open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Lakeside Ranger District. It doesn't name Cheater, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Lakeside Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Cheater is a 0.2-mile singletrack trail in the Arizona desert, set within the Lakeside Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail's short length makes it an easy addition to a day of riding in the area. The route is an out-and-back that starts and ends at nearly the same elevation, with a total climb of about 46 feet. The trail is front-loaded, with the steepest stretch at the start, and the high point sits at about 6,675 feet. The compact distance works well for warming up, cooling down or practicing skills. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to ride. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Show Low show May highs around 74°F and October highs around 68°F, while July and August bring the most wet days of the year. Other trails lie close by, including Wild Horses about 0.2 miles away and Buena Vista Trail about 0.3 miles away. For an overnight stay, Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Campground is about 4.5 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Mar–Jul, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Cheater

    Best months: March–July and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      46° / 24°

      7 wet · 2 snow

    2. Feb

      51° / 27°

      6 wet · 1 snow

    3. Mar

      58° / 31°

      6 wet · 1 snow

    4. Apr

      65° / 37°

      4 wet · 1 snow

    5. May

      74° / 44°

      4 wet

    6. Jun

      84° / 54°

      4 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 59°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      83° / 58°

      14 wet

    9. Sep

      78° / 52°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      68° / 41°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      56° / 31°

      5 wet · 1 snow

    12. Dec

      46° / 23°

      6 wet · 2 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Show Low Ap, AZ, 5.1 mi away at 6,411 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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