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Tags:
Level: Advanced
Length: 4 mi (6.4 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Loop
Elevation: -
Total: 22 riders
Mountain Biking Sunset Trail
#102 of 417 mountain bike trails in Arizona
this trail starts near Schultz Tank and then climbs gradually to a high ridge where you'll find good views of Arizona's tallest mountain before continuing on to the east edge of Mount Elden's summit plateau. From this high perspective you can look down on Sunset Crater and the huge Bonito Lava Flow that borders it. Sunset Trail has some smooth singletrack and some very technical boulder and loose rock sections. Bring your trials skills. Meadows, forests, and vistas.
Sunset Trail provides a connecting route to Schultz Creek, Brookbank, Little Bear Trail, Upper Oldham, and Elden Lookout Trails, as well as many other renegade trails.
First added by dauw on Oct 11, 2009. Last updated May 1, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: unknown
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: unknown
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
Drive north out of Flagstaff on US 180 to FR 420 (Schultz Pass Road). Drive 6 miles east on FR 420 to the trailhead at a parking lot on the south side of the road.
I would usually take this trail after doing an early morning ride up Elden Road. It definitely gets you ready for the rest of the great downhill to come in hobbit forest and schultz.
| ThankI connected to the Sunset Trail via Elden Lookout Road from the parking area at Shultz Creek Trailhead. Suffer through 1500 feet of elevation gain over 5.7 miles to the Sunset Trail off Elden Lookout Road and traverse a short ridge with moderate exposure to the first short steep descent down 500 feet via a technical trail to a saddle and the Little Bear Trail intersection. I used every bit of 5" of suspension on this section and it really smoothed out the trail. (FYI: You'll notice several unmarked trail options that descend back to Elden Lookout Road off this section of trail, so note the exit points on your ascent as they look pretty fun). Continue on Sunset gaining a few hundred feet via loose rocky switchbacks to arrive at a ridge that marks the end of your climbing. If the trail isn't busy, rally the sweet flowing descent for a couple miles to Shultz Creek Trailhead- you'll need to dismount at a down tree until a clearing is made, but it's not a hidden obstacle. Blast the well traveled and varied Shultz Creek with several choose your own adventure options back to the parking area. 13 miles and 2,000 feet of elevation gain.
| ThankRode this trail uphill from Schultz tank to the junction with Brookbank as part of the Upper Brookbank Loop. Tough climb since I wasn't acclimated to altitude yet. Occasional technical rock sections but most of trail is well worn singletrack.* Review edited 10/23/2012
| ThankSerious climbs and descents abound on the San Francisco Peaks, Arizonas most beautiful mountain, a volcano. Many fun trails thruout the mountain, below the wilderness areas. Shade, except where wildfire raged, little water anywhere on this mountain as almost all percolates right thru the cinder mountain. Hot weather escape! Most camp near Schultz Pass.* Review edited 7/2/2012
| ThankSunset Trail from the Mt. Elden Lookout can best be described as a thrill ride. There are very loose and rocky sections and super fast buffed sections with a sketchy traverse (exsposure). Great views of the burn area from the late 70's. Has some technicality to it in the exposed parts.
| ThankRode 15 years ago, memory is a little hazy but I do remember it being one sweet trail. Lots more than the 4 miles listed in the trail description - a big climb on forest service road followed by an epic downhill.
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