With the forecast being full-on rain in Sedona for Sunday, there was no hesitation on hitting South Mtn in Phoenix for day 2 of our trip. It is such a classic, fun destination that it is well deserving of as much time as you can spare. With temps looking cool, we were hoping to get in a double descent, something not accomplished on any prior trip due to heat, fatigue, or carnage (*end foreshadowing*).
Group shot taken by friendly hiker (Pic courtesy Gman)
We started off Pima road and did some exploring of trails around the East and West loop (Pic courtesy Gman)
We finally get to Javelina where the climbing gets serious
Gman up a tricky rise
Then I'm up (pic courtesy Gman)
406 descending toward Mormon loop turnoff
At this point the skies open up on us briefly and we are rained on hard. Nowhere to hide, so we push on
Fortunately it only lasts a few minutes but leaves everything cool and refreshed.
Looking toward downtown Phx
Approaching the corner I call "the Robo special"
As seen from Gman's camera
I take a turn at this, and actually make it to the top with no dabs
We continue on (Pic courtesy Gman)
Up one of my favorite sections of National Trail (Pic courtesy Gman)
Gman pushing it
406 on the rock
Always have to get a pic on this turn!
406 follows the trail ever higher
On to one of the signature features
down...
Gman's turn - up
and down
and up
My turn. Pinch flat in progress, right here. The slime would seal it, first time thats actually happened for me.
406 moves on
Run 1 down the Waterfall
Run2 down the spine
And the end
We continue on National
Gman enjoys the may drops
We were wanting to descend a trail on the north side, climb back up, and then hit a new trail on the south side. Unfortunately 406 had a bit of a crash nearing our first destination on National, so we opted to drop the south side and head back to the car. Corona de Loma seemed like it would be easiest on 406's sore back.
I start off on Corona de Loma (pic courtesy of Gman)
He seems ok now
Climbing over the ridge. Trail seemed looser and more chundery than last winter.
Rain showers still peppering the valley
Finishing CDL
The main reason for heading to the south side on the way back was to hit up some of Desert Classic. 406 enjoys the epic flow
Which goes on....
And on....
And on, back to the trailhead.
Despite a near-fight with some asshat golfers shooting golf balls at us before the ride, and despite 406's carnage, this was a fun ride as always. But next time, we will definitely do 2 laps! To make sure 406 did not further mess up his back we bailed on camping and hit the nearest Motel 6 in Tempe, then went off in search of a new helmet. I scored some $4 socks. Weather was looking better for Sedona for Monday, so we would head up first thing for more riding.
) And you helmet cracked too? You really should have reenacted that crash for video documentation 