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4 days in Flagstaff
http://dirttreaders.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=17100		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  406 [ Thu Oct 27, 2016 6:33 pm ]
Post subject:  4 days in Flagstaff
Early departure from San Diego and making good time, we parked at the trailhead around 2 pm. I had done very little riding in the last month and a half, plus the thin air when starting a ride around 7000 ft, so was dreading the uphill. But Shultz Creek trail is a very nice and easy way to gain elevation. It was also awesome to be in the pines and aspen.
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I seem to recall Little Gnarly was trail, but looked freshly bladed forest service road, so we were "lost" for awhile, but actually on planned route. Cut off to Brookbank was only hike a bike. Steeper than it looks:
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Upper Brookbank going east is lots of fun. Joined Sunset for the final up to 8768 ft. Then all flow with awesome views down to Schultz tank:
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Took Secret over to AZT for more x-country goodness during the golden hour:
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Then more flow on Dogfood:
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Ended up being around 16 miles and 2k ft of up.
Author:  406 [ Thu Oct 27, 2016 6:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 4 days in Flagstaff
Day 2 we wanted to do a big loop, Flagstaff has lots of options and have done a few in years past. Always wanted to loop around the San Francisco, but it involves several miles of the Waterline Road:
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12 miles with a constant gradient going from 8000 ft to 9700 ft. Cool tunnel:
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Nice views of Northern AZ, most of the slopes had burned some years back, so not much shade and wouldn't want to be up here in the summer:
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The higher elevation aspen had lost their leaves, but covered the ground:
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Dropping down to the AZ trail was interesting. Good to be on this section of AZT:
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Nearing the high point, the forest gives way to meadows and views of the peaks:
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Aspen corner:
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Didn't take any photos after starting down. Stayed on the AZT to Lower Moto back to the truck. Interesting to explore new big loops, but don't think I would want to do water line road again. Ended with 40 miles and around 6000 ft of up.
Author:  406 [ Thu Oct 27, 2016 6:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 4 days in Flagstaff
Day 3 we wanted to get some more Elden good trail and be done in time for some tailgating prior to the MT vs. NAU football game. Mostly hike a bike for me up Oldham Trail, but SierraG was in beast mode for the start:
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After a couple miles and 1500 ft of up, get to a nice meadow and join Sunset Trail:
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Contours along with awesome views:
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West on Brookbank to Jedi which is always exciting. Then bombed down Shultz cr:
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Rocky Ridge was pretty challenging 3 miles when going east, back to the truck. Ride was about 14 miles and 3000 ft of up.

Burgers, beers, and Griz fans:
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The MT section and next to it were sold out, so we had GA tickets and sat next to the student section. Good seats:
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Author:  406 [ Thu Oct 27, 2016 6:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 4 days in Flagstaff
Day 4 we woke up early and wanted to get a ride in prior to drive home. SierraG picked a loop on the Flagstaff loop trail near the motel. Little chilly before the sun got very high:
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The loop trail is awesome with lots of flow and short rocky sections:
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We were having so much fun that we missed first and second turn off to AZT, so had to backtracked a couple miles:
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Got on the AZT to Fisher Point and took in the view, trail below:
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Fun technical down to the valley bottom:
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Riding to check out the caves:
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On ride back, we decided to take loop trail over FUTS, thinking it would be more fun. Odd shed:
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Ride was about 20 miles and 1300 elevation gain.

Fast shower at the motel and on the road on schedule, but then got stopped for the freeway being closed for an hour in Black Canyon, so that was unfortunate. I'm a big fan of the Flagstaff trails, nice mix and scenery and perfect riding temperatures.
Author:  Dirtrider [ Thu Oct 27, 2016 7:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 4 days in Flagstaff
Great TR 406 and thanks for posting it up :thumbsup:
Those pics in the aspens were incredible
Author:  OldDogDan [ Thu Oct 27, 2016 7:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 4 days in Flagstaff
Thanks for the good TR! I miss those trails and would like to hit some again.
Author:  Christ D. [ Fri Oct 28, 2016 7:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 4 days in Flagstaff
Great TR , thx !!!

:thumbsup:
Author:  tranceX [ Fri Oct 28, 2016 10:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 4 days in Flagstaff
Awesome trail report. I gotta go check out Flag one of these days. No Sedona? You were so close! :)
Author:  406 [ Fri Oct 28, 2016 11:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 4 days in Flagstaff
Thanks guys.

tranceX I will be in Sedona for Thanksgiving, so priority for this trip was time in the mountains. AZ has lots of good riding, hard to fit it all in.
Author:  evdog [ Fri Oct 28, 2016 1:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 4 days in Flagstaff
Sedona is soooooooo overrated!
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