Sedona - Monday

Monday - Kris/Len/Jim went on a strenuous hike up Bear Mountain. Fran & Kevin took Pat & Larry on a "Pool" tour of the complex. 

Then, after a leisurely morning, Francine made Kevin go out for a short ride. She had been wanting to hit chuckwagon, except that the first mile is now totally overrun with hikers making their way to "Devils Bridge". There are so many people wanting to get their selfie at the bridge, that I guess one can wait an hour or more for your turn. The parking lot fills up, and there is parking on both sides of the road for almost a mile. 

we did not go here, but here is a picture 

So, we parked at the end of the almost 5 mile trail, rode in to the intersection where the hikers turn off to hike to the Devils Bridge trail and turned around. Lovely ride. Only saw about 4 friendly hikers on the in and back out portion. 

Started the ride by pedaling up Mescal trail to the right turn to descend Long Canyon trail. Crossed the road to start Chuckwagon (originally called Gunslinger by the locals bikers who originally built the bootleg trail). Generally climbed the now very obvious trail about 3.3 miles.

rains tonight should cause a bloom on the stalk

resting at top of a climb on Chuckwagon

wash on Chuckwagon

Kev jumping a ledge on Chuckwagon

Kev on Chuckwagon

At the turn-around point, we took a small break. Then retraced our steps back to the car. 8 miles.

Sedona - April 25 Sunday - Aerie to Outer limits w/Kris & Len

Kris & Len picked up their Ibis Ripley mountain bike rentals from Thunder Mountain Bikes right at 9am.  Very smooth, but the shop folks that gave you your bike were not very friendly.  This matches the reviews found online.

Lenny wanted a 20 mile ride where we rode uphill the entire time.  We gave him a 17 mile ride.  Those two killed it on the trails, especially since this was basically their first time on trails for the year.

Rode from the unit to Girdner to Lasso to Stirrup trail.  (Did we say that we love riding from the unit?) Went right on Girdner to a quick left onto AZ Cypress and another left onto Dawa.  Continued climbing to Cockscomb and more climbing to Aerie Upper.  This section of Aerie Upper had a few rocks, and Lenny and his bike paid the price.  His pedal hit a rock on the trail that bounced him.  Oops - broken brake lever.  Kevin switched bikes and we continued on.

Fran

Len

Len on Outer Limits

Fran on Outer Limits

Fran

Kris

Kris & Len at the wash at bottom of Outer Limits

Made our way to Outer limits and home. 

Again, saw very few people on the trails for a Sunday.  And the rain from Thursday night has made the trails firmer with more hard pack, with less dust.  Kris said it was a great ride.  I think Lenny would have appreciated less rocks and less exposure.  Fun 17 mile ride.   

Sedona - April 24 Saturday

Saturday.  So, after breakfast, onto our hikes.  Lenny went golfing in Oak Creek.

Francine showed Kris/Jim how to get to the Cultural Center hiking trails using the trails that go around our complex.  They met Kevin and Pat/Larry who drove there.

Went out paved Centennial Trail to Girdner to the rusty car.  Here, we said goodbye to Kris/Jim who we sent out to hike up Bottom Out and up Remnant.  We continued on Girdner to the rusty car.

we left the safety of the Centennial Trail pavement for Girdner Trail

picking their way thru rocky Girdner Trail

high point on cropping, off of Girdner Trail

family photo - Larry, Kevin & Pat

rusty car off Girdner

Kris, Fran, Jim, Pat & Larry at rusty car off Girdner

1 mile hike on gorgeous day with breeze to keep us comfortable.

Jim says he & Kris hiked 6 miles.

After lunch, Francine & Kevin rode Skywalker to Old Post, and had Kristin pick them up at the bottom for a 4 mile downhill.

near the highpoint of Skywalker

Sedona - April 23 Bottom Out & Axis

 Another fine day to ride.  Kris/Len/Jim and Pat/Larry arrive this evening.  Kris & Len will be renting some Ibis Ripley's to ride for 5 days.  We need to ride a couple more new trails (black rating) that we will not be taking them on.  We are looking at Bottom Out and Remnant, in two separate rides today.

First we hit Bottom Out to climb Axis to Bolo.  Then we went left onto Last Frontier to Outer Limits.  Had brief discussion about going out Cockscomb to Upper Aerie.  Decided we didn't need to ride that far today.  So descended on new trail Axis.  It isn't actually new, but one of the user-built trails that the Forest Service officially adopted and added to the system.  Axis was more like the narrow trails we remember.  Super fun trail that descended to the "hole", and climbed Axis to the unit for lunch.  10 fun miles.

Francine trusting Kevin that it rolled

Bottom Out

Bottom Out

more Bottom Out

smooth section of Bottom Out

After a lunch break, went out for another short loop.  Descended Roundabout to Remnant to Girdner.  Then climbed Girdner back to the unit.  Francine says she doesn't need to repeat Bottom Out, but would repeat Remnant.  4 more fun miles.

made sure to stock the fridge with Lenny's beverage choice

finally a day at the pool - changeover day was quiet

Sedona - April 22 - Highline Trail

Since we are based in West Sedona, and dislike driving towards Oak Creek to park & ride, we like the option of driving down from the High School, on Red Rock Loop Road, to the Crescent Moon Picnic site, ($11 fee) and wading across Oak Creek to start our ride.

Took our shoes off to cross the creek.  The went left on Baldwin to Templeton, to Slim Shady.  Went right onto Highline, to start climbing.  Highline is definitely seeing much more use, and much of the vegetation on the side of the trail is gone, creating more exposure.  Kevin thought the trail was in great shape.  Francine missed the trees/plants on the right side of the trail, which give a false sense of safety.

Kevin at base of Highline Trail

Francine at base of Highline Trail/Slim Shady intersection

climbing Highline Trail

more Highline Trail

at top of Highline Trail

Highline Trail in distance - with Francine way out there

Kev on techy section right before the notch, where the trail drops all elevation

almost to the river crossing

left shoes on for this one, at end of ride

made it across Oak Creek

Nice 9 mile ride.  Unfortunately, near the 7 mile mark, the trail just drops off the back side.  For Francine, it is a painful waste of elevation, as there is much walking of the bike.