Schultz Fire in Flagstaff

The latest map of the fire damage.

April 2010 Ride in Western South Mountain

The plan for the ride was to park at the Telegraph Pass trailhead, ride up to National trail using the newly cut "Marker 33" trail (called this because it intersects National trail at Marker 33), ride west on National to Mine Drop, down Mine Drop to the Gila trail (or Desert Classic West), west until it reached National again, east (and up) on National to the Ruins Drop, down to the Ruins and then back to the car.

Because of all the time I spent taking wildflower pictures, I modified the trip by canning the second ascent/descend of National and instead just rode down Ruins Drop to the newly cut ridgeline trail until it ended at the trail machine.

Regarding the ascent of the Marker 33 trail, I feel that this trail is probably the second best way to get to reach western National trail. Even with the loads of hiker traffic, I prefer Telegraph Pass because at least most of it is ridable except where hikers bog me down in some of the obstacles. On Marker 33 you have much less traffic, but many of the double/triple switchbacks are very difficult to clear on a bike without engaging in trials maneuvers and it has a much steeper grade (20% vs. 10% on Telegraph). Next time I'll ride down this trail and see how it feels the other way.

Ruins Drop is one of those trails that I'm glad I rode, but I probably won't be back on it for a while. Most of the trail is ridable, but the trail is very narrow and steep and the surface is loose. In addition, it has major exposure about half way done. Given that I was riding solo, I took a conservative approach and walked about 30% of the descent. Comparing this to Mine Drop, I feel that this is better trail because it doesn't suffer as much from the loose sheet rock that moves under your wheels. It looks like Mine Drop is seeing a lot more traffic lately that when I rode it 2 years ago, so maybe it has improved.

The new trail along the ridgeline is good and it will be fun to connect this up Gila/National once it's completed in a few weeks. Watch out for the beehive right next to the trail.

On the way to Marker 33

A blister beetle enjoying the new trail. It must be mating season, as these guys were all over the trail.


Tough switchbacks on Marker 33.


At the top of the climb of Marker 33.




The actual Marker 33.



A look at Mine Drop (right) and an yet-unridden trail (left) from National trail.


"Ruins Drop" from National trail.


Someone else was enjoying the flowers as well.


New ridgeline trail.


Trail building machine.

Black Canyon Trail

testing

Alamo Canyon - AZT Passage 17