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Road Trip Northern Arizona: JTree ::: Sedona ::: Navajo Bridge ::: Vermilion Cliffs ::: Lees Ferry ::: Colorado River ::: Schultz Pass ::: Grand Canyon


Red Rocks, part 2, April 2019
Sedona trails: A Photographic Log
11 April 2019, 7 miles

Back to part 1

After completing the Bell Rock Loop, I was back at the trailhead. I peeled off some clothes, studied the map of the trail system, and applied a fresh layer of sunscreen before setting out on the Big Park Loop. This was also rated as a beginner trail, but singletrack with a few tricky sections, unlike the wider, smoother morning loop. Yep. I was soon pushing the Ogre into and out of a dry creek. At least there were no gawking pedestrians around.

As I stopped to take a photo, three riders on electric mountain bikes pulled up, coming from the direction I was heading. This appeared to be a fairly fit looking guy in his early thirties, plus what seemed to be his wife and his mother, although I suppose it could have been his daughter and his wife. It was difficult to determine, because both women were on the verge of tears. "Don't worry," he kept telling them. "You can keep on dismounting if you need to." I asked him how the trail was in the direction they had come from. "Oh, it's intermediate or a little advanced," he assured me. Of course, the maps showed the rating as beginner. Anyway, they rolled toward the dry creek I had just hiked across, and one of the women promptly started shouting loudly "I'm getting off! I'm getting off! I'm getting off!" I completely understood.

After that, the singletrack ahead of me was easy enough except for the occasional dry creek crossing. In those places, I always warned the Ogre, "I'm getting off!" As with the Bell Rock Loop, this route took me up close and personal with another giant red rock formation, in this case Courthouse Butte.

I'm just a newbie beginner on trails around Sedona. Not even intermediate. And definitely not expert. But as long as I stay on the easy trails, I feel like an expert. And I have the photos to prove it.

After dragging the Ogre across a dry creek, I stopped to take this photo. Bell Rock on the left, Courthouse Butte on the right.

At that point three riders on electric mountain bikes appeared. I decided the ladies would not appreciate posing for a photo, so I didn't even ask.


Bell Rock.


Bell Rock again.


Dusty singletrack on Big Park Loop.


Flowery carpet reminds me of Joshua Tree.


Singletrack winds toward Courthouse Butte.


Courthouse Butte. Note the sign along the trail.


Helpful signs and maps posted at most intersections.


Another steep and rocky crossing of a dry creek.

"I'm getting off!"


Looping back toward Bell Rock and the trailhead.


Close-up of the red cliff of Courthouse Butte.

Note tufts of green growing from nooks and crannies.


Along the trail, contrast to the red rock formations.


Bell Rock.

Difficult for me to resist stopping to snap a photo at every intersection.


Almost back to the trailhead and parking lot. Permanent cairns mark the route.

Okay, okay. Last photo of Bell Rock.

I put the camera away, pedaled back to the Forester, and called it a successful introduction to the red rock trails.


All that fun for only US$5.00.

Now it's time to drive back to Flagstaff and prepare for tomorrow's ride.



Summary

Date: 11 April 2019
Time: 10:00 - 12:30
Weather: 55 - 65° F, mostly sunny
Route: Bell Rock Loop, Big Park Loop, etc
Distance: 7 miles
Bike: Ogre
Riders: Solo


Comments? Questions? Suggestions? I'd like to hear from you.


~ 103 ~



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