Little Horse and Llama Trails, Sedona, Arizona

This is a nice ride between Twin Buttes (Broken Arrow trail) and Bell Rock. It’s not as technically challenging as Broken Arrow (though there is some hike-a-bike) and it’s almost as beautiful. You can also access Chicken Point (see Broken Arrow) and Bell Rock Pathway from these trails.

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/bike/llama/llama.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
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- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
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Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

Butterfly Trail, Mt. Lemmon

Nice wide trail at the start ... don't let it fool you.


This is listed as an “intermediate” mountain biking trail by the Forest Service. Yeah, right. And I look like Jason or Jacob or whoever that guy is from Twilight with my shirt off. The only people who this might be an intermediate trail are professionals or those who eat, drink and sleep mountain biking. Not only is the trail steep, strenuous and has many technical challenges, but a large portion of it is narrow and on the side of the mountain. One small miscalculation can send you for a ride to the ER or worse.

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/bike/butterflytrail/butterflytrail.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

Girdner / Cockscomb Trail #162, Sedona

Dry Creek wasn't so dry during my ride

As far as the trails I’ve ridden in Sedona, besides the Templeton trail, this trail is the most agreeable to intermediate riders like myself. It may not be as scenic as some of the other trails, but it’s still Sedona and beautiful in its own way. The best thing about this trail is that it doesn’t require all that much hike-a-bike as the other trails I’ve tried (besides Templeton and of course the Bell Rock Pathway trails) in Sedona. Another great thing about this trail is that it’s not as popular as the others and if you don’t want to worry about crashing into other bikers or hikers, this is a great option. I didn’t see another soul when I rode this trail. A great break if you want to be alone.

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/bike/girdner/girdner.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

Thunder Mountain, Sedona, Arizona

This was probably my least favorite of the bike trails I’ve ridden in Sedona. I had a do A LOT of hike-a-bike (though the forest service is working on this trail to make it more mountain bike friendly). It’s also very close to West Sedona. That’s good news and bad news. The good news is that it’s easy to ride to from town, the bad news is that it’s close to town and you’ll see a lot of houses during your ride.

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/bike/thundermountain/thundermountain.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

Broken Arrow Bike Trail

Near Chicken Point


This is a beautiful and fairly short ride that parallels the most famous Jeep trail in Sedona. Although it’s a fairly demanding trail with a decent amount of hike-a-bike (at least on the way up), intermediate riders should give it a try (just for the awesome scenery) and more advanced riders will enjoy it.

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/bike/brokenarrow/brokenarrowbike.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

Experience Arizona Quick Trip Reports

We’ve decided to add an exciting new feature to Experience Arizona, which we’re calling Quick Trip Reports or QTR’s. As all of you already know, Experience Arizona is dedicated to providing the best, most detailed information regarding hiking, biking and four-wheeling in Arizona. And I think we’re doing that.

But there’s more to enjoying Arizona than just hiking, biking and four-wheeling. A lot more. Maybe you want to dip your toes in a cool stream on a hot day? Or find a shady spot to observe some of Arizona’s colorful birds? Or a unique place to eat lunch? Maybe attend a little-known festival in a small town? Anything that might be fun and exciting to do on a weekend.

QTR’s to the rescue.

QTR’s will be placed on the Experience Arizona blog site and will be short and to the point. One or two paragraphs describing the site or adventure, maybe a picture or two, possibly a GPS waypoint and a general map (but no detailed directions). Bim, Bam, Boom and you’re done. Free to go explore it on your own!

In addition, some QTR’s may only include a picture and short description with no GPS coordinates. No, we’re not being lazy or mean. We believe puzzles are fun. We’re going to leave it up to you to figure out where it is and how to get there. Don’t worry, we’ll provide enough clues to solve the mystery (though some will be harder than others). Besides, we believe exploring new areas is half the fun anyway.

Look for QTR’s to start popping up on the Experience Arizona blog shortly. I hope you enjoy them. And, as always, I’d love to hear from you. Send me pictures, descriptions and GPS coordinates for that perfect spot, park, out-of-the-way diner, or whatever, I’d be happy to post them here.

Remember, the more people involved the more new areas ALL of us can explore and enjoy.

Pistol Hill (Colossal Cave) Trail

Nice singletrack!

This is a great ride in southeast Tucson (Vail) that shouldn’t be missed. It’s 100% singletrack that’s mostly easy with a few technical spots and a big climb at the end. I’ve been mountain biking in Tucson for almost seven years and I can’t believe I waited this long to ride this trail! It’s definitely going to be one of my regular rides.

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/bike/pistolhill/pistolhill.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

The Bunny Loop Trail, Fantasy Island

The Trailhead off Valencia


This is beginner’s trail located within Fantasy Island in southeast Tucson. It’s flat and there’s no technical challenges (only dodging the cacti), so it’s a great place to learn how to mountain bike, though some kids and adults new to the sport may be intimidated by the narrowness of the trail.

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/bike/bunnyloop/bunnyloop.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

Templeton and Bell Rock Pathway, Sedona

Templeton Trail near Cathedral Rock


This is one of the best and most beautiful trails in Arizona. If you’re visiting Arizona and only have time to do one trail, this one is it. You’ve got everything, the unique beauty of Sedona, awesome singletrack and enough trail variation to satisfy almost any skill level. Do not miss this one.

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/bike/templeton/templeton.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

Rail-X -- Beginner's and Kid's Trail

Cruising along Rail-X

This is a great trail for beginners and kids. It follows a two-track road through some fairly flat desert just north of Tucson in Catalina. It’s wide enough for kids not to be too nervous about crashing into a cacti and offers enough sand, small rocks and whoop-dee-doos to let them hone their skills before trying out singletrack. All-in-all, a super trail to help the young ones start mountain biking!

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/bike/railx/railx.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

Prescott Trail 305

Along the trail


This is nice all singletrack trail located in Prescott. It’s non-technical, except for some tight switchbacks and steep climbs. If you want to get out of the heat and into the pines, this trail’s for you. But … make sure you bring your lungs (and your legs), you’ll be doing a ton of climbing. The trail is well-marked and GPS coordinates shouldn’t be required. I didn’t have to use it once—and I usually get lost quite easily

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/bike/prescott305/prescott305.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

The Los Burros Trail #631 (northern loop)

Near the start of the shortcut trail

This is an awesome trail in the cool White Mountains near Show Low and Pinetop. It has tons of singletrack winding through dense stands of pine trees and shouldn’t be missed. At roughly 8000 feet in elevation and long climbs, it can get your heart pounding, but it isn’t too technical and the ripping fast downhills make the climbs worth it.

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/bike/losburros/losburros.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

Indian Springs

Butterflies at Indian Springs

Closed due to the Wallow Fire!

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/bike/indiansprings/indiansprings.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

New Camera-GoPro Hero Wide

I just purchased the GoPro Helmet Hero Wide camera from GoPro and thought I'd test it out with some friends on the Chutes this weekend. We headed out at 6 am to beat the heat. Here's the first video. Here's a few first impressions:

- Very lightweight, but noticeable on the helmet
- We rode into the sun and the video is a litte dark
- Tightening the mounts difficult and they tended to slip
- Great wide angle shots
- Image stability outstanding

More later when I've had a chance to do a little more testing.

Arizona Adventurer

Kentucky Camp Trail

The "Hotel" at Kentucky Camp


This is one of the best mountain bike trails in southern Arizona. It’s got something for everyone, except those who crave extremely technical rides. The trail winds its way through grassy fields, mountain foothills and high-desert flora. Not only is it beautiful and fun, you can take a trip back in time to the late 1800s! You get to visit Kentucky Camp and ride along a portion of the famous Arizona Trail. At only an hour and a half from Tucson, it’s a trail that shouldn’t be missed! The last mile of the trail can be accessed by car and it's a great spot for the younger children to learn to mountain bike

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/bike/kentuckycamp/kentuckycamp.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

The Upper Boulders

The Upper Boulders is another spur trail off the Chutes which ties into the Boulders trail. Like the Boulders, the Upper Boulders has lots of … well, boulders. It’s a short, but technically challenging trial.

I ride this trail starting from the Chutes and link up with the Boulders trail about ¼ the way through.

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/bike/upperboulders/upperboulders.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

Brown Canyon Trail

The Trough. A great place for a rest and the start of the downhill singletrack!


This is another great trail located about an hour and a half southeast of Tucson near Sierra Vista. Although short, it starts with a heart-pounding climb up a Jeep road and ends with a super fun, long down hill section on single track. As a bonus, you can also opt to visit the historical Brown Canyon Ranch. And beautiful scenery to boot. All-in-all a great ride!

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/bike/browncanyon/browncanyon.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

The Boulders

Tough uphill Climbs

The Boulders is a spur trail off the Chutes which might satisfy even the most advanced rider. It’s a short, but technically challenging trail with a tough uphill and a really fun downhill section. And, it’s got lots of boulders to play on, but I guess you probably figured that out from the name. Finally, you get awesome views when you reach the top of the trail. It’s just a great ride all around.

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/bike/theboulders/theboulders.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

The Chutes

Riding the 50-year trail


This is an awesome trail just north of Tucson. It’s part of the 50-year trail system and gets its name from a portion of the trail which is shaped like a chute or bobsled track.


The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/bike/thechutes/thechutes.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

The 24-hour Trail

This is one of my favorite bike trails around Tucson. It’s located north of Tucson between Catalina and Oracle and gets its name from a big race that’s held there every mid-February. These INSANE mountain bikers race for 24 hours. Some do it alone, some with a team.

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/bike/24hr/twentyfourhourtrail.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!