Autumn was in full swing up north and Flagstaff was calling. I thought this would be a good opportunity for another attempt at a huge route I've been trying to do. I have this super cool 100+ miler that I just can't seem to pull off for one reason or another. Conditions were looking about perfect and the leaves were gold all around. Maybe this would be the day.
I had a good night sleep and made it over to Safeway for an early start. I had hoped to start in darkness, but couldn't quite muster the motivation for that. A first light start wasn't too bad though.
I quickly got moving and warmed up, at least temperature wise, before I saw the forest thinning project had temporarily closed the trail. I found a way around and began climbing the Elden Lookout Rd. Overall, I really don't mind the climb, but for some reason whenever I do it at the beginning of a long day I get crushed. Today was no different and it really sucked my motivation to continue. Here I was, once again, barely 5 miles into a huge day and I was calling an audible. I figured if I didn't have a hundred miles in my legs, I'd at least do a fun route and try to see some new terrain. A popular ride up here is the Around the Mountain, ATM, loop, but I wanted to go around Elden. So, an ATOM loop of some sort, Around the Other Mountain!!
I bailed off the Lookout Rd. and did the short hike-a-bike, HAB, up Red Onion trail. First time on that one, looks cool as a downhill dash. This brought me to the beginning of Little Bear trail, one of my favorites.
![](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8vinnU2yHok/WfIEPus3clI/AAAAAAACEFE/s22DLdiuzF4N9qu4t_bM8acPioGZxZKkACKgBGAs/s400/20170930_075713.jpg) |
Pausing on Little Bear. |
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Meet my new ride compadre, Aka Oni. He fears no HAB. |
![](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iHVkysvzOOA/WfIEPpadyYI/AAAAAAACEFE/6w5yDQgVc7QKo_SE3uLWt9dIYXLFhzILQCKgBGAs/s400/20170930_080118.jpg) |
Saplings populating the charred hillside. |
![](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cmw5JG49Cy0/WfIEPqK7RAI/AAAAAAACEFE/bcYRAPE47u04cS1Y0zsX10E1avjoebquwCKgBGAs/s400/20170930_080126.jpg) |
Most of the burned trees are gone now. |
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tj7gl--BS6M/WfImKzpEvlI/AAAAAAACEFU/UK5anCuHC2k8c_z0uIeEhduBMYuGa7UJQCKgBGAs/s400/20170930_084909.jpg) |
A fast rip down the AZT brought me here, below Heart trail, which is scheduled for a major reroute. Yes!! |
![](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uklEzQ39mEA/WfImKwwlsoI/AAAAAAACEFU/86V0O4xLTu8P9pmNx7gwxsxoc7U_emivACKgBGAs/s400/20170930_091313.jpg) |
On my way towards Rio de Flag, I noticed these new looking sign posts. |
![](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vRH32YIa-WU/WfImK3nqJwI/AAAAAAACEFU/xiWoFUBx6v0Wz5SbgJaI8HthrZMMZxz4gCKgBGAs/s400/20170930_092326.jpg) |
Down at the creek crossing I opted to check out the Tom Moody Loop into Picture Canyon. |
![](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6s15Seu09To/WfImK4MDVRI/AAAAAAACEFU/7u7QOrsTnrcvUAO7C3_n0lKW6L4gecyNgCKgBGAs/s400/20170930_092621.jpg) |
A ton of rock art only a few feet off the AZT. |
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eP-zyk3wlI0/WfImK9pBf0I/AAAAAAACEFU/OfrYKNdLJMEsKRC3c4K1DQLqIZQl-EfoACKgBGAs/s400/20170930_092658.jpg) |
Tom Moody Loop. |
![](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1K9t_wyc7-I/WfImK57uxXI/AAAAAAACEFU/cpoQsY_YeVch1K9q8SptNK89nbra3CloACKgBGAs/s400/20170930_095249.jpg) |
Interesting logging / railroad history in the area. |
![](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_94OHyhzaaw/WfImK2JJJ9I/AAAAAAACEFU/w5oLy_zhEmI_WHxiAyKV1XNY68Z8MAkDQCKgBGAs/s400/20170930_100349.jpg) |
Back out on the familiar open meadows along the AZT. |
![](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pR2EhJu91yc/WfImK6CDwaI/AAAAAAACEFU/Kd2lLCS6BxcQJ0bj7T21lsv7uzAaAsfbwCKgBGAs/s400/20170930_101134.jpg) |
This northern AZ rail line is always buzzing with traffic. |
![](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AiQNFBpButU/WfImK1R_MJI/AAAAAAACEFU/00eBdEDaSXA7ACfLB-K2nDla0oWJ-hnpgCKgBGAs/s400/20170930_114844.jpg) |
I cut through Campbell Mesa & the Flag Loop trail before looking for an alternate back into town. |
![](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x7TQwL8nAQ0/WfIoUpmAxRI/AAAAAAACEFg/X6Z-7CFkFT0DS2GviJCPuMZEJs5wrxTlwCKgBGAs/s400/20170930_115500.jpg) |
Trailforks led me to this hidden gem of singletrack. |
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ytxwAg9ul4Y/WfImKyxKvjI/AAAAAAACEFU/XTj6QaDwM_gp4VQmcAzRWauxdKquADGJgCKgBGAs/s400/20170930_121321.jpg) |
A seemingly random bench parked in the sand all by its lonesome. |
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I found a series of gravel roads above the lonely bench. |
![](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f5SG6gYBZ9Y/WfImK8mFXSI/AAAAAAACEFU/ME9xUytLd80ntbVENG6Qx0bUlJFTOCH4QCKgBGAs/s400/20170930_122928.jpg) |
Turns out the gravel was part of a nature trail system, but it dead ended. Back at the bench, I found my missed turn. |
![](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Sf-95iGG2s/WfImK9ovW1I/AAAAAAACEFU/S97hO3OFo1Eldj_UaW7hJ--3SNbP_snhACKgBGAs/s400/20170930_124326.jpg) |
Stepping stones through Rio de Flag. |
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NOBes46yc2M/WfImK35wnbI/AAAAAAACEFU/8ncxw0rCySAdN1n_vwj_wM7dbYjwNThewCKgBGAs/s400/20170930_132217.jpg) |
Back near civilization. |
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fBcVbQhheTU/WfImK5f4CqI/AAAAAAACEFU/nGGxw4geiW8tYVBOaG8qctOZTsbsV2y_QCKgBGAs/s400/20170930_132257.jpg) |
Bow & Arrow trail was a flattish multi-use path. |
![](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3K8qqgOZMng/WfIpl5ARrJI/AAAAAAACEFo/1lJgACpJY9cAy3XQ0zbk9izGj6yf4pkNQCKgBGAs/s400/20170930_133123.jpg) |
A short stint on pavement linked me to the Flagstaff Urban Trail System or FUTS. |
![](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fh8CxO-PiB0/WfImK1EKPPI/AAAAAAACEFU/ZlSPhxj6vUkAGzWPGqmcUHZKEeKVEBBfACKgBGAs/s400/20170930_134322.jpg) |
The AZT then guided me through the busy streets near downtown. |
![](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i9cTRsU-Z5g/WfImKyhiI0I/AAAAAAACEFU/wSuCwzVjeDMy227UUfQcTXsWxIlE-tXEgCKgBGAs/s400/20170930_134817.jpg) |
The AZT leaves the traffic behind quickly as it ascends towards Buffalo Park. |
![](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JLNReqU37GE/WfImKwjUR2I/AAAAAAACEFU/xaQQ7MmQ2IgmnKxlQrr2JELz1nw9-At_QCKgBGAs/s400/20170930_135713.jpg) |
Humphrey's Peak & Mt. Elden |
All in all it was a fine day for a Plan B 'winging it' kinda ride. I'll try my 100+ route again sometime, maybe try to knock out a few more miles before getting to the Elden Lookout Rd.
Flyover
Route:
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