Basics
- Location:
- Flagstaff
- Length:
- 15 miles
- Aerobic Difficulty:
- Intermediate
- Time To Allow:
- 2 - 3 hours
- Trailhead Elevation:
- 7000 feet
- Season:
- April - November
Description
The Sunset Trail and Mt. Elden complex offers some of the best mountain biking in the Flagstaff area.
Intermediate riders and above will enjoy the challenging climb up Mt. Elden on the Mt. Elden Lookout Road (FS 557), a fire road that accesses the Mt. Elden lookout tower. The scenery from the ride is excellent, through mixed Ponderosa and Aspen forest, with views of surrounding mountains.
A plethora of fast singletrack downhill options spur from the Mt. Elden Lookout Road into the Coconino National Forest. Taking Sunset trail spur, located just short of the Mt. Elden lookout, down the hair-raising exposure of the Catwalk Trail, winding through the thick ferns of the Hobbit Forest and joining with the Schultz Creek Trail makes for a great loop ride.
Details
Location:
Length:
May be combined with other trails in the area for additional mileage and time
Aerobic Difficulty:
Time To Allow:
Trailhead Elevation:
Season:
Additional Details:
Though the Mt Elden-Sunset Trail system is not terribly remote, riders should consider bringing extra food, water and clothing as temperatures may shift dramatically and summer thunderstorms are not uncommon. Bringing a repair kit is also not a bad idea. The Mt. Elden-Sunset Trail area is mixed use. Please be considerate on the trails and understand right of way protocol.
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
From Flagstaff, head North on the Fort Valley Road-Interstate I-180. Two miles from town, turn right on the Mount Elden Lookout Road. Look for parking area at the division of Mt. Elden Road and Shultz Pass Road.
