Arizona Trail

This is a fun enough trail as an XC trail, but the real fun begins in Passage 43.

This is a great portion of the Arizona Trail (AZT) for mountain biking. Unfortunately, the description here doesn't follow the official designated name established for the passage. There is no passage of the AZT with the name Fredonia in it. Fredonia is actually not very close to the AZT. Jacob Lake is, but the passage describe here is far from both. Based on the distance listed and the reviews, it is clear that this is the "Kaibab Plateau South Passage" (Passage 40). It runs from just north of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon NP boundary (off of Forest Road 610) to just north of Telephone Hill (off of Forest Road 241). It truly is a gem of a trail with great riding, amazing views, beautiful mixed conifer forest (and associated meadows) -- all in a truly backcountry setting. This passage/ride will leave you feeling tired and very content. Subsequently, after this passage, heading north, there is the "Kaibab Plateau Central Passage" (Passage 41) which ends at Hwy 89A just east of Jacob Lake, and then the "Kaibab Plateau North Passage" (Passage 42) which continues north from Hwy 89A. Neither of these are as good as this passage. If you have a limited amount of time when you are visiting the Kaibab Plateau, this is the trail to ride. Passage 43 (the Buckskin Mountain Passage) is a close 2nd with outstanding riding, an amazing final long descent and amazing views of the Vermillion Cliffs and Southern Utah.

Passage 43 of the AZT is maybe the best of the five passages above the Grand Canyon, especially in terms of riding. In addition to the beautiful views of the Vermillion Cliffs and southern Utah, the trail gives you all the best of mountain biking. There are fast flowy sections, fast chunky sections, and moderately steep technical climbs. The final descent is long and fast. It is full of 20 some switchbacks that are space out far enough that you gain and maintain a lot of speed between each switchback. I think it may be the best set/section of switchbacks I have ever ridden. On the lower half of the trail, there is also a run in and out of a small drainage that is hoot. Pretty much the entire trail was a joy to ride.

Rode north and south from Blue Ridge Reservoir Rd. Both directions were fun and in the trees for much of the trail. Northward was a bit more tech and deeper in the forest.

Hey Austin. Why didn't you ride it Phoenix to Flagstaff! HA!!! Great job dude, especially for a first bikepacking trip. Impressive.

Parked at the intersection of E. Sahuarita Rd and Route 83 and headed north. Rode about 10 out and 10 back for a great ride, about 1,000 feet of elevation gain, your riding downhill for the most part going north. The trail is not very technically challenging but the length makes up for it. I would like to explore more of this section of the AZ trail. It seems a lot more suited to bikes than other sections I have ridden.

This starts along a canyon rim and proceeds to enter another drainage crossing under Interstate 10 thru a drainage tunnel. The trail is often very curvy as it winds thru dry desert hills of yucca and Bee Plants, even unusual Sandpaper Plants in spots as well as mesquites in the washes.

I love this ride. Definitely take the time to climb up onto the rim. It's a great place to take a moment off the bike and take in the view.

This passage is a total of 35 miles, however the section from Snow Bowl Rd to Aspen Corner is a MUST RIDE. Follow it up with the descent down to FR 418 and you'll smile all the way down - so fun!!

A highlight while on the AZT300. After failing in 2016, this section was something that kept my spirit up. I knew it was coming up so I went ahead and crashed at Twin Lakes so I could hit it during the morning time. Super Fun.

800 miles of trail, most of it legal and open to bikes, some wilderness and Grand Canyon bypasses. This is truly one of the great trails of the hemisphere. Sections from low desert to high mountains and back many times.

This is a truly wonderful trail. I've ridden from Camp Hope connecting to the AZT, then at various times, thru Colossal Cave, over the ridge to the 3 Bridges/Gabe-Zimmerman towards the Twin Tanks (going there this weekend). Great scenery with a combination of nice flowing single track to a few rocky technical areas with some climbs.

In contrast to portions of the trail north of Flag (Section 33b), some portions of the trail south of Flag (Section 33a) are not that impressive or interesting. Lots of forest road track from town to Fisher Point. Obviously this is a tale of two very different trails.

some of the best riding on the AZ trail...

Ridden here many times, often used as a dog run trail to Rincon Creek if flowing. Moderate tech thru out the trail. Few hard climbs, most are moderate but long. Good spring wildflower area. Several streams and cow ponds in wet weather.

The Fisher Point area was well within a known home range of a cougar several years ago. There were sightings in the immediate area of FP. I am now out of touch with those who would know the current status of the lions in the region, but it's always cool to think someone could be watching you. =) Beautiful country. Flagstaff and Northern Arizona will always be in my heart.

I hope that someday the AZT will be in the Top 100 Best Trails here on ST. I am familiar with portions of the trail as a hiker from years ago. I can't wait to start riding portions and being able to give it a rating. I would think it will become a 5 star XC route.

Very scenic. A few rocky climbing but nothing too technical.

This is a section of the trail between Mormon Lake and the Mogollon Rim. Very scenic ponderosa and oak woodlands.

Yes, a must ride if in Flagstaff. As a local Flagstaffian, this is one of my favorites. A really fun ride from the top of Schultz Creek trail out past Snowbowl, climbing the whole way. But the down hill back is well worth it.