One reason we mountain bike more than golf these days: We've never had a bad time mountain biking. Taking a trip to this Maricopa County park, with its trails made just for mountain bikes, is like shooting below par all day long. It's a relatively short trip for much of metro Phoenix, too: mostly on freeways and about the same as hitting the Salt River for tubing. Once there, you'll think you must have driven hours to be in a place this remote. Even when it gets crowded, it can feel like your own personal Disneyland. Rocky hills, saguaros, coyotes, tarantulas — this place has it all, desert-wise. You might have to brake for snakes. The mountain-biking trails are smooth, banked, and roller-coaster-like in many places, especially on the "sport" and "long" loops. A third loop, accessible from the mountain-biking parking lot, called the "technical" loop, is for experts or those who don't mind getting off and pushing. The crown jewel is Pemberton, a 15-mile loop for mountain bikers, hikers, or equestrians. Sounds like a lot, but even a beginner could do it in a morning (just be sure to take a lot of water). And take some tools, hot shot. No Disney technician is going to come and help you.