And if you have any feedback or found areas where route updates are necessary, we'd love to hear from you. If you ride this route and enjoy it, please consider joining Bikepacking Roots (membership is free!) and sending us a donation to support future route development projects. But water is scarce, so plan accordingly. This is a stellar ~3-day route with numerous options for side exploration and minimal technical riding in countryside rarely visited. The tallest peaks in Arizona, the San Francisco Peaks, are the final feature you’ll experience, climbing high into aspen forests at over 9,000 feet and then descending a hugely scenic water pipeline service road that’s closed to motorized use back toward Flagstaff. Sunset Crater is the youngest volcano in the area, having erupted just 1,000 years ago. You’ll pass eerily dark, yawning cinder cones before climbing into the young, cindery landscape of Sunset Crater National Monument. From Flagstaff, the route heads west toward Bill Williams Mountain on dirt roads and jeep tracks, passing through sprawling parks and ponderosa pine forests.īeyond Williams, the route enters deserted, dry pinon-juniper woodlands and then high grasslands of the Babbitt Ranches. 800+ volcanoes that erupted over the past few million years dot the landscape - some are a few hundred feet tall, and some tower many thousands of feet above the surrounding countryside. Perfect for bikepackers looking to get off the beaten path while following dirt roads and two-tracks, the San Francisco Volcanic Field Loop meanders through northern Arizona’s San Francisco Volcanic Field. Updates from the Coconino National Forest can be found here. This detour will likely be in effect until at least August 20, 2022. Thus, riders will have to stay on the west side of the Peaks, following either Highway 180 or the Arizona Trail to close the loop. Call us at 92 to make your reservation today.Route update (June 2022): The easternmost part of the route around the east side of the San Francisco Peaks and through the Sunset Crater area is closed due to the Tunnel Fire and subsequent Pipeline Fire. There’s no better time than now to begin planning your next off-road vacation at the Lodge. ![]() A word of caution: Although the terrain appears to be loose sand, the rocky soil includes ancient volcano cinders that can damage paddle tires.Īfter you’ve finished your all-day adventure, head back to Mormon Lake Lodge to talk about your favorite trail over a delicious steak dinner. The area offers multiple ATV trails varying from easy rolling hills to steep climbs (most notably its “ Hundred Dollar Hill,” a 900-ft. Up for a challenge? Cinder Hills OHV Area is located just northeast of Flagstaff, off Highway 89. Leave extra room in your schedule to stop and take pictures of the landscape that one reviewer said were “some of the most beautiful views seen in life.” It’s important to call the Coconino National Forest, Red Rock Ranger District at 92 for trail conditions before setting out on this particular trek. This 12-mile path can be completed in about one hour. Schnebly Hill Road boasts a stunning backdrop of Sedona’s famous red rocks and the lush green forests east of the city. Once again, the marked side roads will increase the difficulty level of your ride. ![]() Visitors can expect relatively flat ground with a few bumpy stretches. Schultz Pass Road (Easy)Īnother accessible choice for first-timers, Schultz Pass Road is a stunning off-road trail north of Flagstaff. If you’re looking for more challenging terrain, wander off onto rougher side roads and marked ATV trails. Ideal for families and beginners, the road is wide with intermittent “washboard” surfaces where the dirt forms natural ripples. ![]() Hutch Mountain (Easy)Ĭonveniently located just 30 minutes south of the Lodge, Hutch Mountain offers a relaxed drive through ponderosa pines. Whether you’re tackling steep hills in a Jeep Wrangler or catching some speed on a dirt bike, you’ll want to visit these popular trails near Mormon Lake Lodge. From scenic dirt roads to rough mountain climbs, there’s a trail suitable for any all-terrain vehicle. The area surrounding Flagstaff, Arizona, is an off-roader’s paradise.
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