Flagstaff to Sedona

Arrival Day

Our meeting point for this trip is Sedona, AZ at Over the Edge Bikes. The day before the trip starts you can pick up a cooler (if needed) from us to do your shopping for the week.

Day One:

We will depart Over the Edge in Sedona by 7:30am and shuttle to the start on the Arizona Trail north of Flagstaff. The ride today is a wonderful mix of aspens, ferns and Ponderosa Pines with distant views of the Kendrick Peak as you cruise through occasional open grasslands. The riding past Snowbowl Ski Area is fun and a little technical as you knife through embedded basalt rock formations. Turning east the trail traverses through mainly Ponderosa Pine before you exit the trail at Little Elden Springs Campground. Ride length is about 22 miles.

Day Two:

After two easy miles of riding, the AZT crosses the Rio de Flag and enters Picture Canyon. A short walk leads you to some spectacular petroglyphs that are a great reminder of the cultural history of this area. Pedaling southeast, the trail is fast and flat before it crosses under I-40 and soon enters Walnut Canyon. Here, the AZT stays just outside Walnut Canyon National Monument but still provides the same incredible views that make this an international destination. Wind-sculpted cliffs, Sinagua cliff dwellings, trickling water and prime singletrack might make this your favorite segment of trail. If you like technical riding, you’ll find some exciting rock steps near here that will test your ability. The trail follows Walnut Canyon for many miles before heading onto Anderson Mesa and the many tiny alpine lakes found nearby, including Marshall Lake your second camp. Ride length is about 30 miles.

Day Three:

The final day features some truly amazing mountain biking through the ponderosa pine forest. Most of the terrain is gentle in terms of elevation gain/loss, but a variety of soil conditions make for exciting riding. Sometimes you’ll be flowing along at high speed on soft tread, and other times you’ll be navigating over volcanic rock obstacles and climbing in your granny gear. It’s all fun, mostly rideable, and will leave you wanting more. A short side trip down the Navajo Spring Trail leads to Mormon Lake Lodge, an oasis in the forest, where you can grab a slice of pizza or a cold beer before getting back on the trail and a short ride to Dairy Springs Campground. Ride length is about 19 miles.

Day Four:

The final day starts very mellow across mainly rolling terrain on remote dirt roads. This signifies the transition from the “high country” portion of your ride and your entry into Sedona’s Red Rock Country. By midday you will have reached the edge of the Mogollon Rim and be staring down Bear Hollow…also know as Schnebly Hill. From here you descend the Schnebly Hill Trail, cross Schnebly Hill Rd and then make your way all the way to the Huckaby Trailhead along the Munds Wagon Trail. Ride length is about 25 miles.