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
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.
Nice view looking west
We started off by going down the Aspen Nature Loop
Wonder where it got that name?
Lots of switchbacks and flow on this descent
We hook up with the AZ trail. We were told this is the bomb. And it was!
Views of snow covered peak
And then back into aspens
Love this shot
Flow was unreal
Some more open meadow before getting back into trees
Back in the trees we experienced some of the best flow I’ve ever ridden
Ferns and aspens
And peaks again
Token shot for Baja
After finishing the AZ trail segment we picked up some moto trail which we would ride most of the day.
Aside from a few steep parts we had to HAB, it was an awesome trail and in pretty good shape
Aspens turning in the distance
We soon find ourselves in the middle of the aspen grove
Pretty incredible to ride through
Singletrack remains sweet
Looking back
Group shot
We have a bit more climbing to go. At elevation, steep climbs are tough!
Looking out north
Nice views everywhere
We are rewarded with a fun descent
Some more meadow
Passing the twin peaks we encounter a stunning mountain view
And scare up some elk
Our time in the aspens was not done
Kreechan in late afternoon light
After a final climb we end that part of the ride
Kreechan drew the short straw and drove the truck back down for us, while 406 and I hit Flying Fish
We couldn’t have ended much closer to sundown
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.
