We couldn't skip Highline Trail, even though Francine is still sick, coughing and hacking constantly. So, again she loaded up on Afrin, Sudafed, Dayquil and Cough Syrup.
We didn't want to drive over to Oak Creek Village to start, so we opted to start at Red Rock Crossing. Kevin rode down Herkenham Trail to Old Post Trail, while Francine drove down the mini-van to the bottom of the canyon to the Crescent Moon Picnic Site Park, paid our obligatory $10 to park and made our way across Oak Creek at Red Rock Crossing. Water was a little high, and we didn't want to get our socks and shoes wet at the start of the ride, so we walked across barefoot, carrying our bikes.
Instead of turning left and riding on Baldwin and Templeton trails to the Highline trail turnoff, we went right and rode towards Oak Creek Village on the Verde Valley School Road (pavement). Started Slim Shady Trail at the Red Agave, where we stayed on our first trip to Sedona in 2010. The place is super cute and looks like they have been doing some sprucing up. We would probably try to stay there if we are unable to get our sweet condos thru RCI Exchange from Pat and Larry.
Climbed Slim Shady to Highline intersection where we went left. Reached the top in about 3 miles, and started a super fun descent swooping and rolling over the red rock. Once we hit the notch, which is the start of the double black rating on the trail, we started walking down. Once thru the super steep stuff (painful loss of elevation), we were out at the Baldwin Trail. Went left for that loop and back to the Red Rock Crossing, where we kept shoes on and waded across, to our start.
12.5 miles for Francine. 15.5 miles for Kevin.
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| Francine heading up Highline Trail |
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| Super fun downhill section on tons of Slickrock |
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| This would be the DoubleDiamond section. Lose a lot of elevation hiking down. |
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| Short-cutting across Oak Creek |
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