[Inline version available at: http://tinyurl.com/7lxch]
11/10/05 - Circle Sedona
Gary picked today's ride which calls for a start at Chimney Rock Trail
then Thunder Mountain, Sugarloaf, Tea Cup, Cibola Pass, Jim Thompson,
and then a ride down the highway back to the car.
We head off in search of the Chimney Rock trail entrance and find this
over our heads (Lizard Rock):
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3123.jpg
We start up what seems to be a valid trail but soon ends at a fence.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3125.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3126.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3128.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3129.jpg
We turn around and head back down into the development to find the right
trailhead and soon we are heading up Chimney Rock which is pretty much
all like this:
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3131.jpg
Soon we come to a not so friendly sign on the trail. It means we either
turn around or carry our bikes. Well, given the condition of the trails
and the 90 degree two foot step down switchbacks, we carry them the 1/4
mile of designated area.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3133.jpg
I did not like Chimney Rock trail and it is certainly not too friendly
to bikes. We then make our way to Thundermountain which is rip roaring fun!
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3134.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3135.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3136.jpg
There's a lot of off-shoot trails so we are checking the map often.Sugar
loaf and tea cup offer up some more great single track and views.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3138.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3139.jpg
Gary shows off on some slickrock.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3141.jpg
Cibola Pass offers up some exposure and a terrific sink hole. I am
standing on a ledge of the sinhole when Gary informs me that it's not
connected to the rest of the mountain, Visions of Wyle E. Coyote dance
in my head.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3142.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3143.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3144.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3146.jpg
Jim Thompson starts off pretty rough and loose.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3148.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3149.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3150.jpg
Then it becomes and incredible dowbhill to the bridge and a quick pic of
Chicken Peak.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3151.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3152.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3154.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3156.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/cs/IMG_3158.jpg
Once at the highway, I draft off Gary the whole ride to the car. At 34
MPH I think I peddled twice.
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o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws