It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 6:58 am

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 11 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 12:48 am 
Offline
Obsessed
Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:39 pm
Posts: 3407
Location: Ocean Beach
Given: 2423 thanks
Received: 7322 thanks
Bike(s): Revel Rail, Spur, Carver Ti,
Favorite Trails: Hmm........
We had a few options after Rainbow Rim. One was to stick around and hit up some of the Arizona Trail on the North Rim. The other option was to head around to Flagstaff and hit Mt Elden. I rode Mt Elden last year but only got a small taste. With the prospect of aspens going off there too, we elected to make the drive to Flag. Elden itself would have to wait a day though, as we decided to try a different portion of the AZ trail and some other singletrack around San Francisco peaks.

We parked a little lower and had to climb up to the Snow Bowl lot and trailhead
Image

Flying Fish was a trail I rode last year, and we discovered it goes above the turnout where we parked. It has lots of jumps plus a couple cool features.
Image

Nice view looking west
Image

We started off by going down the Aspen Nature Loop
Image

Wonder where it got that name?
Image

Lots of switchbacks and flow on this descent
Image

We hook up with the AZ trail. We were told this is the bomb. And it was!
Image

Views of snow covered peak
Image

And then back into aspens
Image

Love this shot
Image

Flow was unreal
Image

Image

Some more open meadow before getting back into trees
Image

Back in the trees we experienced some of the best flow I’ve ever ridden
Image

Ferns and aspens
Image

And peaks again
Image

Token shot for Baja
Image

Image

After finishing the AZ trail segment we picked up some moto trail which we would ride most of the day.
Image

Aside from a few steep parts we had to HAB, it was an awesome trail and in pretty good shape
Image

Aspens turning in the distance
Image

Image

We soon find ourselves in the middle of the aspen grove
Image

Pretty incredible to ride through
Image

Image

Singletrack remains sweet
Image

Image

Looking back
Image

Group shot
Image

We have a bit more climbing to go. At elevation, steep climbs are tough!
Image

Looking out north
Image

Nice views everywhere
Image

We are rewarded with a fun descent
Image

Some more meadow
Image

Passing the twin peaks we encounter a stunning mountain view
Image

Image

And scare up some elk
Image

Our time in the aspens was not done
Image

Image

Kreechan in late afternoon light
Image

After a final climb we end that part of the ride
Image

Kreechan drew the short straw and drove the truck back down for us, while 406 and I hit Flying Fish
Image

We couldn’t have ended much closer to sundown
Image

Despite the presence of motos (we did run into several) the moto trails were in awesome shape. The AZ trail was incredible, and this turned out to be a great call for a day’s riding.


Top
 Profile  
 
The following 22 users would like to thank evdog for his or her post:
amor587, b5driver, bajamtnbkr, bankerboy, Brian, Canaan, Christ D., craptasticyler, Dirtrider, Dustin, jkop1, katonk, Kimba, kreechan, Red Hot Sloth, rob240z, Robo, sierragoldens, slingshot, TCB, tfitz, turiha
PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 6:06 am 
Offline
Moderately Obsessed
Moderately Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2008 10:10 pm
Posts: 1327
Location: San Elijo Hills
Given: 1621 thanks
Received: 1612 thanks
Bike(s): 10 5Spot, 08 XXIX, 07 Peleton
Favorite Trails: Dirty, Rocky and Single
Beautiful aspens!


Top
 Profile  
 
The following user would like to thank moondogg for his or her post:
evdog
PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 6:49 am 
Offline
Moderately Obsessed
Moderately Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Wed Oct 15, 2008 4:17 pm
Posts: 520
Given: 836 thanks
Received: 362 thanks
Bike(s): Yeti 575
Favorite Trails: singletrack
Great stuff Evan. I've been itching to go back after the trip last year.


Top
 Profile  
 
The following user would like to thank b5driver for his or her post:
evdog
PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 7:46 am 
Offline
Obsessed
Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2008 7:47 am
Posts: 2182
Given: 6166 thanks
Received: 6399 thanks
Bike(s): mango. pivot. chumba
Favorite Trails: san jaun. arizona trails
Thanks Evan I just love Arizona. It will take me a few years to get that far north on the Arizona Trail being I started from Mexico.

_________________
We'll ride it till they pave it. -Clyde
ImageImage


Top
 Profile  
 
The following user would like to thank tfitz for his or her post:
evdog
PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 10:13 am 
Offline
Participant
Participant

Joined: Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:09 pm
Posts: 87
Location: esco
Given: 11 thanks
Received: 29 thanks
Bike(s): sc
Favorite Trails: tight single track
Great pics! Gotta love ridding in the aspen groves!


Top
 Profile  
 
The following user would like to thank SKULLY for his or her post:
evdog
PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 9:34 pm 
Offline
Obsessed
Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:39 pm
Posts: 3407
Location: Ocean Beach
Given: 2423 thanks
Received: 7322 thanks
Bike(s): Revel Rail, Spur, Carver Ti,
Favorite Trails: Hmm........
Erik MM wrote:
Did you ride from Nordic Center to the Moto trails near Elden?

THanks guys...

We rode from Aspen Corner trailhead just below Arizona Snow bowl. From there we rode up Flying fish to the Snow bowl parkng and then down Aspen loop to the AZ trail. We picked up the moto trail just north of FR 418 and followed it west and then south. Its all on Dale wiggins map at www.singletrack.us http://singletrack.us/gallery/displayim ... m=58&pos=1. Good stuff, we pretty much followed his PMT around and down by Crater lake then back to our start point.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 1:44 pm 
Offline
Obsessed
Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2008 9:56 pm
Posts: 7789
Location: Vista
Given: 23228 thanks
Received: 17283 thanks
Bike(s): Yes
Favorite Trails: crooked & winding...
Another beautiful TR Evan! I haven't seen this area covered in a TR and am glad, since I was thinking of checking it out next visit if the weather's still good. I go occasionally to visit my daughter at NAU and always bring the bike. I've ridden on Elden a few times, lower Fort Valley trails, and at Campbell Mesa. Sedona just once -- need to hit that some more! (Erik, the moto trails I think you're referring to are probably Upper & Lower Moto across the fireoad from Mt Elden in the lower Fort Valley.) Thanks again for inspiring us.

_________________
Thus, if we are to understand the world, we should live somewhere between judgement and amazement — Alfredo Lopez Austin


Top
 Profile  
 
The following user would like to thank OldDogDan for his or her post:
evdog
PostPosted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 12:28 pm 
Offline
Moderately Obsessed
Moderately Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2008 4:51 pm
Posts: 1600
Given: 666 thanks
Received: 1790 thanks
Favorite Trails: teh gnar
This section of the AZ trail has amazing flow:
Image

Snow capped peaks:
Image

Image

Image

Image

It is no SART, but I think he likes it:
Image

Image

Off the chart trees:
Image

Image

_________________
strava:instagram:activejunky


Top
 Profile  
 
The following 2 users would like to thank 406 for his or her post:
evdog, sierragoldens
PostPosted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 9:31 pm 
Offline
Moderately Obsessed
Moderately Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2009 12:56 am
Posts: 857
Given: 1973 thanks
Received: 1352 thanks
Bike(s): Mojo HD140, Niner One
Favorite Trails: Sierra High Route
Nice pics 406!

I'll bet that Kreechan freaked when he saw the sign "Utah 190 miles"? I imagine the challenge is "on" and he is already planning to do it next summer! :wink:


Top
 Profile  
 
The following user would like to thank sierragoldens for his or her post:
evdog
PostPosted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 9:47 pm 
Offline
Moderately Obsessed
Moderately Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2009 7:29 pm
Posts: 636
Given: 1116 thanks
Received: 723 thanks
Bike(s): Nimble 9
Favorite Trails: all of them
sierragoldens wrote:
Nice pics 406!

I'll bet that Kreechan freaked when he saw the sign "Utah 190 miles"? I imagine the challenge is "on" and he is already planning to do it next summer! :wink:


Sad part is that you cannot ride your bike down and up again through the big hole in the ground just north of that sign - I'd be all over it otherwise (at least one bike packing trip was my plan for this year and its getting quite cold for that, even around here).


Top
 Profile  
 
The following 2 users would like to thank kreechan for his or her post:
evdog, sierragoldens
PostPosted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 10:13 pm 
Offline
Obsessed
Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:12 am
Posts: 2071
Location: San Diego, CA
Given: 1644 thanks
Received: 1322 thanks
Bike(s): Knolly Endo, Canfield Jedi
Favorite Trails: DH Trails
I love and hate looking at these TRs. Hahah.

_________________
~I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.
~Nothing from nothing is nothing.
~I'm allowed to be a pussy because I have one!


Top
 Profile  
 
The following user would like to thank badkittyjing for his or her post:
evdog
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 11 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 8 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group