Arizona · Mountain biking

Differential

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

Is Differential open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Lakeside Ranger District. It doesn't name Differential, 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.

Differential is a short, technical singletrack ride in the Lakeside Ranger District of Arizona's Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is about 0.35 miles out and back, with a total climb of about 53 feet, and it sits at roughly 6,690 feet. It's a compact, character-filled route that works well for warming up or practicing technical moves before longer rides. The trail is suited to intermediate riders comfortable with desert singletrack. The terrain is rocky and features classic Arizona desert riding, and the route is flat for most of the way, with the steepest stretch at about 0.23 miles in. 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. Several other trails sit close by, including Juice Tree at 0.3 miles, Trail Faries at 0.4 miles and Buena Vista Trail at 0.4 miles. For an overnight stay, Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Campground is about 4.7 miles away.

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

    Best time to visit Differential

    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, 4.9 mi away at 6,411 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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