Flagstaff info & ?

[ImAFred]

Ok, I have the 23rd(half a day, driving in the am from Vegas), 24th & 25th(need to be done by 3pmish to drive home) to do a bp trip. Ive been lookin at going either north on the AZT from Flag or South from Flag as an out n back... if it was you which direction would you go?!?  

[Smo]

So I've only ridden part of the AZ trail north of town, and it was great, but just 5-6 miles of it.  I've done a lot of research, though, trying to come up with things to ride this month in Flag (once my semester's over and sewing is my only job, I should have time to get out more.  One more week!).  So here are my ideas:

One route I want to do is a loop around the San Francisco peaks.  Most people would probably do it in a day, but I'll probably take two - it's about 50 miles and I know a spot to camp on the north side of the peaks with water potential and a view of the North Rim.  A nice overnighter that I could start and end at my house.

The other is the Casner Dirty Century.

Map: http://caltopo.com/map?id=0G0O

And some pictures:  http://forums.mtbr.com/arizona/rr-casner-mountain-dirty-century-618999.html

I'm really excited to ride that telephone line road (first two pictures I believe).  Sycamore Canyon Wilderness on one side of the road, Red Rocks Wilderness on the other.

A third option for a few more miles is to head down the Casner route but instead of heading east towards Sedona head west and connect with the Coconino Loop over to Williams and then back to Flag.

[ScottM]

I'd go with the loop around the Peaks Ride.  And north of Flag is better, IMO, than south.  Though once you get 7-8 miles from the peaks, it turns to roads out into the Babbit Ranch.

If you do all the AZT starting at Buffalo Creek and maybe the Equestrian route on the east side of town, that'll more than keep you busy for 2 days.

[ImAFred]

Thx for the advice Scott!

[cjdunn]

I rode the AZT south from Flag to the Mogollon Rim (rd 300) in two days last summer with my 15 year old daughter.  It is close to 100 miles.  You could road ride back or just hitch a ride on the highway.  Alternatively, leave your vehicle in Flag and hitch a shuttle south and ride N-S.