Flagstaff to Phoenix route?

[goyo]

Me and some buddies are planning a bikepacking trip from Flagstaff to Phoenix. Has anyone done this, or have ideas about the route? Of course, we'd like to stick to trails and avoid pavement as much as possible.

[schillingsworth]

A few of us have begun to put together a central AZ route, sort of a compliment to the AZT. It's a route from Flagstaff to Tucson. For the Flag to PHX portion we were going to use the beginning section of the Coconino 250, peel off that going up Mingus where the singletrack HAB is, then make your way to the northern terminus of the Black Canyon Trail via forest road & follow it down to the end. From there it depends on what part of PHX you want to end up in. Our route follows the Maricopa Trail for a bit into the Sonoran Mtn. Preserve, now you're in N.PHX. I can send you a couple of GPX files if you want them, keep in mind they are still preliminary, but should do the trick.

[AZTtripper]

Nobody's done the planned route yet, that I am aware of.

The Flagston, AZT/BCT combo, Central AZ what ever it ends up being called the route looks great on paper.

I did scout out a portion the General Crook trail, and did find some running water. Not sure if it will still be running or not. Ray had a prelim track on line as well but that was before the scouting.

[DeanHill]

Here is a partial gps file of a route I've taken a few times.   You can adjust the amount of off road from hwy 260 to flagstaff going north depending on time and snow.   Lots of water to filter , hardly any people, and a stop at the hot springs.  


https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=213140411189451024572.0004b2e89810b619a5384&msa=0

[AnatolyG]

I would love the GPXes of this as well - I'd love to do these sections sooner than later while I am still in Phoenix.

A few of us have begun to put together a central AZ route, sort of a compliment to the AZT. It's a route from Flagstaff to Tucson. For the Flag to PHX portion we were going to use the beginning section of the Coconino 250, peel off that going up Mingus where the singletrack HAB is, then make your way to the northern terminus of the Black Canyon Trail via forest road & follow it down to the end. From there it depends on what part of PHX you want to end up in. Our route follows the Maricopa Trail for a bit into the Sonoran Mtn. Preserve, now you're in N.PHX. I can send you a couple of GPX files if you want them, keep in mind they are still preliminary, but should do the trick.