RR: Dry Lake Hills Flagstaff

The day started promptly at 5:00 AM in front of my house. Michael and Mark
were right on time, and by the time we had everything loaded up we were on
the road at 5:30. The plan was to make good time to Flag so we couold be on
the trail by 2:00 or 3:00. We rolled into town around 1:30, got a quick
bite to eat at Collins Irish Pub and we were suited up and ready to ride by
2:45.

Because of the lengthy drive and the change in eleveation we decided on a
short 10 mile loop in the Mt. Elden network of trails. Starting elevation
is 7,200 feet. The ride began on Rocky Ridge which certainly lived up to
it's name. A combination of boulders through which we had to navigate and
marble sized rocks to keep our traction iffy at best made for a most
interesting climb.

The climb continued up Lower Brookbank much of it hike-a-bike because of the
steepness and technical aspects of the trail. After about 3.5 miles we
summited at 8,500 feet. We stopped for the pause that refreshes and to
drink in the beautiful scenery that was all around. We had definitely felt
the elevation change during the climb but it wasn't killing us.

Let the fun begin: We headed down Little Gnarly trail to the sounds of elk
trumpeting for a good time in the distance. Quite surreal! As on the
climb, we were dodging hefty sized boulders and struggling to maintain
traction on the rip roaring descent. We were all dialed in and had no
problems. As the sun was getting lower the mixture of golden rays and the
shadows made for a scene right out of the Lord of the Rings. Absolutely
beautiful.

The descent continued on Schultz Creek Trail which was not as steep as
Little Gnarly but just as fun. More boulders, logs and marbles to keep you
on your toes.

We made it back to the car sweaty, dirty and grinning from ear to ear.
Total ride time: 1 hour 42 minutes. Total elevation gain: 2,360 feet

http://www.geoladders.com/gps_route_...?route_id=2088

What a great way to start our trip.

A couple words of advice. Don't book hotels through Expedia. They screwed
up our reservations at the hotel, thankfully we were able to get in, others
were not so lucky with the Tour De Fat in town pretty much everything was
booked. And no matter how hungry you are, do not eat at Kachina. That's
all I will say.

Chris Glidden wrote:
The day started promptly at 5:00 AM in front of my house. Michael and Mark
were right on time, and by the time we had everything loaded up we were on
the road at 5:30. The plan was to make good time to Flag so we couold be on
the trail by 2:00 or 3:00. We rolled into town around 1:30, got a quick
bite to eat at Collins Irish Pub and we were suited up and ready to ride by
2:45.
....snip...
We made it back to the car sweaty, dirty and grinning from ear to ear.
Total ride time: 1 hour 42 minutes. Total elevation gain: 2,360 feet

http://www.geoladders.com/gps_route_...?route_id=2088

What a great way to start our trip.

A couple words of advice. Don't book hotels through Expedia. They screwed
up our reservations at the hotel, thankfully we were able to get in, others
were not so lucky with the Tour De Fat in town pretty much everything was
booked. And no matter how hungry you are, do not eat at Kachina. That's
all I will say.



Cool. Sounds like a great ride. Did you make a mistake on the route?
It looks like you doubled back in one section. I hate when that happens.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

"Ride-A-Lot" wrote
Cool. Sounds like a great ride. Did you make a mistake on the route? It
looks like you doubled back in one section. I hate when that happens.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

Yeah, we couldn't figure out which trail to take in the middle of Dry Lake.
Picture a big meadow, a choice of three trails and no signage. Beautiful
country up there, I definitely recommend it.

CG

On Tue, 03 Oct 2006 15:51:44 -0700, Chris Glidden
wrote:

The day started promptly at 5:00 AM in front of my house. Michael and
Mark
were right on time, and by the time we had everything loaded up we were
on
the road at 5:30. The plan was to make good time to Flag so we couold
be on
the trail by 2:00 or 3:00. We rolled into town around 1:30, got a quick
bite to eat at Collins Irish Pub and we were suited up and ready to ride
by
2:45.

Because of the lengthy drive and the change in eleveation we decided on a
short 10 mile loop in the Mt. Elden network of trails. Starting
elevation
is 7,200 feet. The ride began on Rocky Ridge which certainly lived up to
it's name. A combination of boulders through which we had to navigate
and
marble sized rocks to keep our traction iffy at best made for a most
interesting climb.

The climb continued up Lower Brookbank much of it hike-a-bike because of
the
steepness and technical aspects of the trail. After about 3.5 miles we
summited at 8,500 feet. We stopped for the pause that refreshes and to
drink in the beautiful scenery that was all around. We had definitely
felt
the elevation change during the climb but it wasn't killing us.

Let the fun begin: We headed down Little Gnarly trail to the sounds of
elk
trumpeting for a good time in the distance. Quite surreal! As on the
climb, we were dodging hefty sized boulders and struggling to maintain
traction on the rip roaring descent. We were all dialed in and had no
problems. As the sun was getting lower the mixture of golden rays and
the
shadows made for a scene right out of the Lord of the Rings. Absolutely
beautiful.

The descent continued on Schultz Creek Trail which was not as steep as
Little Gnarly but just as fun. More boulders, logs and marbles to keep
you
on your toes.

We made it back to the car sweaty, dirty and grinning from ear to ear.
Total ride time: 1 hour 42 minutes. Total elevation gain: 2,360 feet

http://www.geoladders.com/gps_route_...?route_id=2088

What a great way to start our trip.

A couple words of advice. Don't book hotels through Expedia. They
screwed
up our reservations at the hotel, thankfully we were able to get in,
others
were not so lucky with the Tour De Fat in town pretty much everything was
booked. And no matter how hungry you are, do not eat at Kachina. That's
all I will say.



Sounds good. I've only drove thru Flagstaff once, in the middle of the
night, but if for some reason I don't end up moving to CO., that place is
my 2nd choice.

Take any pictures?
--
Slack

Chris Glidden wrote:
The day started promptly at 5:00 AM in front of my house.

We made it back to the car sweaty, dirty and grinning from ear to ear.
Total ride time: 1 hour 42 minutes. Total elevation gain: 2,360 feet


That's the stuff, mon.

CDB

"Slack" wrote
Sounds good. I've only drove thru Flagstaff once, in the middle of the
night, but if for some reason I don't end up moving to CO., that place is
my 2nd choice.

Take any pictures?
--
Slack

Got a few pictures and some really bouncy video. I'll post ASAP.

CG