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A fantastic way to spend the day riding in Flagstaff. The trails are as awesome as the views!


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Map Key

17.6

Miles

28.2

KM

100%

Singletrack

8,688' 2,648 m

High

7,194' 2,193 m

Low

2,108' 643 m

Up

2,109' 643 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

21%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

This is an excellent Ride with a great variety of terrain, one I would ride every time I return to Flagstaff. With all of its twists and turns, this ride will give you the feeling of being lost - in fact we helped a lost equestrian find her way back to the stables.

This ride involves a bunch of climbing, but you know...what goes up must come down! And down you'll go with a smile from ear to ear. Most climbing is easy to moderate with a couple short difficult sections, but the descents are a thrill.

Need to Know

There are quite a few opportunities to get off-route with this ride so check your GPS frequently after intersections.

Description

This ride uses portions of the Arizona Trail (AZT) and seven different local trails - Schultz Creek Trail, Little Gnarly, Lower & Upper Brookbank, Sunset, Little Bear & Little Elden.

From the parking area, the trail starts down the embankment directly across the road and heads up Schultz Creek Trail. Schultz is a moderate steady climb, smooth singletrack with smooth rock & root obstacles. The top of this trail is defined by an open area with several trail options. A great place for a break, take in some water and calories.

From here go right up Little Gnarly, then gradually descend to a meadow, while passing a lake (pond where I come from) on your left. Steer around the left side of the pond over a small log obstacle. This is Lower Brookbank and from here the terrain gets more difficult (=fun). Soon you'll encounter a quite steep, very rocky descent. If you travel down this advanced trail you missed the sharp left up Upper Brookbank.

Upper Brookbank starts out nice but becomes steep and loose for a short bit - excellent Hike-A-Bike terrain. Ride this trail up and down, over and around for about 1.2 miles to the Sunset junction, and then go right for another .3 miles to Little Bear.

Make the 90 degree turn onto Little Bear - a mild climb with fun switchback descents. Little Bear is about 3.5 miles of kinda rocky, shaded, woodsy terrain that takes you into a large burn zone. Along this burn area are fantastic views of the valley below. At one point where the view seems best there is a spot with a viewpoint bench (hidden - gotta look for it), see pic. This is a very good spot if you brought your picnic basket. This trail ends in a T with the (AZT) Little Elden Trail. Go left.

Little Elden brings you back to the smoother trails you rode earlier. Your bike will roll around on a slight incline through the pines heading back towards Shultz Tank to an intersection that connects back to the Sunset Trail. At the Sunset Trail peddle right a short distance to the top of the Schultz Creek Trail.

Weee Hooo! You made it! From here it's all downhill goodness, so just sail down Schultz Creek, zipping over the smooth rocks and between the crisp pines back to your motor vehicle.

The preferred action at this point is to crack open an ice cold PBR or Rolling Rock (except for the driver... of course)

History & Background

The east side of this ride travels through a burn from 2010 called the Shultz Fire... started by an abandoned campfire.

Contacts

Shared By:

Markk Knowles

Trail Ratings

  3.3 from 10 votes

#7

in Mount Elden

#3264

Overall
  3.3 from 10 votes
5 Star
30%
4 Star
10%
3 Star
40%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
20%
Recommended Route Rankings

#7

in Mount Elden

#126

in Arizona

#3,264

Overall
11 Views Last Month
6,581 Since May 31, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
33%
17%
50%
0%

Photos

Schultz Creek
Dec 16, 2019 near Flagstaff, AZ
On Little Bear on a ride on October 28, 2016.
Nov 1, 2016 near Flagstaff, AZ
More of the Little Bear Trail, I could ride this every day!
May 31, 2013 near Flagstaff, AZ
From ride on October 28, 2016.
Nov 1, 2016 near Flagstaff, AZ
Into the unkown.  Great trail, nail biting exposure.
Aug 31, 2020 near Flagstaff, AZ
This is the bench with a view spot - you have to search for the bench - great view off Little Bear Trail. Great spot to stop for a picnic.
May 31, 2013 near Flagstaff, AZ
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