ROUTE INFORMATION
Basic information
Highlights
Logistics
- Ideal time of year (and potentially weather conditions): Late spring, early fall. The route is rideable May-October, but the summer months will be warm and monsoon storms in July and August should be avoided.
- DO NOT attempt this route when wet or when rain is in the weather forecast. The soil in this region is full of clay that becomes impassable when wet in many areas
- You NEED an Arizona State Land Department Recreation Permit.
- The northern part of the route passes through land owned by Babbitt Ranches. Public access and camping is permitted - simply respect their land and stock.
- Do not camp within ¼ mile of water sources
- Water sources on this route are limited and include many stock tanks that are most reliable in late Spring and late Summer. Waypoints for these are provided with labels like “poor” (unreliable, likely silty) and “good” (more reliable, cleaner water). DO NOT plan that every stock tank will have water, and carry more water than you expect to need. Water from some stock tanks is often silty and will clog water filters and is not amenable to UV water treatments. Carry a means of chemical water treatment like Aqua Mira or iodine.
ROUTE Development credit
route downloads
This route and associated information is just a starting point for your preparation, and your safety is your responsibility. Although this route, its GPS track, and route data were prepared after extensive research, their accuracy and reliability are not guaranteed. Check for current conditions, route updates, use your common sense, obey local laws and rules, and travel with alternative means of navigation. Bikepacking Roots, its directors, employees, and volunteers will in no way be responsible for personal injury or damage to personal property arising in conjunction with using this route. If you do encounter changed conditions or inaccuracies, Bikepacking Roots welcomes your input - please send comments to routes@bikepackingroots.org.
If you ride this route and enjoy it, please consider joining Bikepacking Roots (membership is free!) and sending us a donation to support future route development projects. And if you have any feedback or found areas where route updates are necessary, we'd love to hear from you. Please send any comments to routes@bikpackingroots.org.
other resources
Segment-by-Segment Route Details
SEGMENT 1: Flagstaff to Williams (southern side of loop)
This 60-mile segment climbs west out of Flagstaff on old two-track across Observatory Mesa before meandering in and out of grassy parks and through ponderosa pine forests. Farther west, the route passes Lava River Cave, traverses Spring Valley, climbs over the east shoulder of Sitgreaves Mountain, and then crosses Interstate 40. The final miles pass Dog Lake Reservoir and Bill Williams Mountain before dropping quickly into the touristy Route 66 town of Williams. Riding is mostly on dirt forest roads with some short sections of rougher two-track.
Segment length: 60 miles
Total climbing: 3,000 feet
Recommended number of days: 1-2
Approximate surface conditions:
% Paved: 10%
% Dirt road: 70%
% 4x4 road/2-track: 20%
% Singletrack: 0%
% Rideable: 98%
Average physical difficulty (1-10): 3-4
Average technical difficulty (1-10): 3-4
Bikepacking challenges: Limited water
Longest stretch between resupply (miles/days): 60 miles, 1-2 days
Longest stretch between water sources (miles/days): 35+ miles, 1 day
Recommended printed topographic maps:
Total climbing: 3,000 feet
Recommended number of days: 1-2
Approximate surface conditions:
% Paved: 10%
% Dirt road: 70%
% 4x4 road/2-track: 20%
% Singletrack: 0%
% Rideable: 98%
Average physical difficulty (1-10): 3-4
Average technical difficulty (1-10): 3-4
Bikepacking challenges: Limited water
Longest stretch between resupply (miles/days): 60 miles, 1-2 days
Longest stretch between water sources (miles/days): 35+ miles, 1 day
Recommended printed topographic maps:
- Trails Illustrated maps 856 (Flagstaff/Sedona)
- 854 (Sycamore Canyon/Verde Valley)
- See Arizona Gazetteer for northwest quarter of loop
- Quiet dirt road (and a bit of rougher two-track) riding through ponderosa pines and meadows
- Stay at the U.S. Forest Service Spring Valley Cabin Bunkhouse below Sitgreaves Mountain (mile 31). Reservations required; call the Kaibab N.F. (928-635-8200) for information.
- Hike Lava River Cave (mile 21; 1 mile round trip; dress warmly and bring lights)
- The two most reliable water options are (1) around mile 31-35 (USFS cabin if vacant or stock tanks nearby and (2) Dogtown Lake Campground at mile 52
- There are no resupply options on this segment until Williams. Williams offers restaurants, a grocery store, and motels.
- Dispersed camping is permitted in most areas of this segment aside from the obvious areas of private land around miles 28-30 (Spring Valley) and miles 40-50 (south of Interstate 40)
- You NEED an Arizona State Land Department Recreation Permit for this section of the route
- The northern part of the route passes through land owned by Babbitt Ranches. Public access and camping is permitted - simply respect their land and stock and abide by Leave No Trace ethics.
- Flagstaff: Flagstaff Medical Center (928-779-3366)- 1200 N Beaver St, Flagstaff, AZ
- Williams: North Country HealthCare (928.635.4411) - 301 S 7th St, Williams, AZ
SEGMENT 2: Williams to Flagstaff (northern side of loop)
The northern part of this route passes through the heart of
the San Francisco Volcanic Field and its nearly countless cinder cones. Leaving
Williams, you’ll pass through rural neighborhoods on mostly graded dirt roads
before turning onto remote two-tracks and and entering some quiet countryside
of pinon-juniper woodlands before descending north into lower grasslands. Red
Mountain Lookout offers a short side trip option along the way
At the farthest northeastern corner of the loop is SP Crater, a striking cinder cone that’s worth a hike to the top for a stellar view into the crater itself. Approach using the obvious steep trail on the southwest side of the cone and then scrambling to the top. Plan for ~90 minutes round trip at least for this side hike.
After circling around SP Crater, you’ll begin climbing back toward the San Francisco Peaks, passing the yawning Colton Crater along the way. The route then turns east around O’Leary Peak and onto loose cinder trails that link into the back entrance of Sunset Crater National Monument. These cinder trails are usually packed enough from ATV traffic, but they’re slow going for ~4.5 miles as you experience the otherworldly landscape and views of the 1,000-year-old Sunset Crater.
The route then follows pavement through the National Monument along recent lava flows before climbing dirt road steeply into the San Francisco Peaks’ inner basin. The last part of the climb to the highest part of the route can be done following an old two-track or a beautiful but technical singletrack. At the top, 2,500 feet above the Monument, you’ll turn onto Waterline Road, enjoy huge views along the west side of the Peaks, and then drop from Schultz Pass back to Flagstaff (with singletrack or dirt road options for the descent.)
At the farthest northeastern corner of the loop is SP Crater, a striking cinder cone that’s worth a hike to the top for a stellar view into the crater itself. Approach using the obvious steep trail on the southwest side of the cone and then scrambling to the top. Plan for ~90 minutes round trip at least for this side hike.
After circling around SP Crater, you’ll begin climbing back toward the San Francisco Peaks, passing the yawning Colton Crater along the way. The route then turns east around O’Leary Peak and onto loose cinder trails that link into the back entrance of Sunset Crater National Monument. These cinder trails are usually packed enough from ATV traffic, but they’re slow going for ~4.5 miles as you experience the otherworldly landscape and views of the 1,000-year-old Sunset Crater.
The route then follows pavement through the National Monument along recent lava flows before climbing dirt road steeply into the San Francisco Peaks’ inner basin. The last part of the climb to the highest part of the route can be done following an old two-track or a beautiful but technical singletrack. At the top, 2,500 feet above the Monument, you’ll turn onto Waterline Road, enjoy huge views along the west side of the Peaks, and then drop from Schultz Pass back to Flagstaff (with singletrack or dirt road options for the descent.)
Segment length: 125 miles
Total climbing: 9,000 feet
Recommended number of days: 2-3+
Approximate surface conditions:
% Paved: 10%
% Dirt road: 40%
% 4x4 road/2-track: 48%
% Singletrack: 2%
% Rideable: 98%
Average physical difficulty (1-10): 3-4
Average technical difficulty (1-10): 3-4
Bikepacking challenges: Limited water
Longest stretch between resupply (miles/days): 120 miles, 2-3 days
Longest stretch between water sources (miles/days): 50 miles, 1+ days
Recommended printed topographic maps: Trails Illustrated maps 856 (Flagstaff/Sedona) and 854 (Sycamore Canyon/Verde Valley) provides nearly complete coverage.
Total climbing: 9,000 feet
Recommended number of days: 2-3+
Approximate surface conditions:
% Paved: 10%
% Dirt road: 40%
% 4x4 road/2-track: 48%
% Singletrack: 2%
% Rideable: 98%
Average physical difficulty (1-10): 3-4
Average technical difficulty (1-10): 3-4
Bikepacking challenges: Limited water
Longest stretch between resupply (miles/days): 120 miles, 2-3 days
Longest stretch between water sources (miles/days): 50 miles, 1+ days
Recommended printed topographic maps: Trails Illustrated maps 856 (Flagstaff/Sedona) and 854 (Sycamore Canyon/Verde Valley) provides nearly complete coverage.
- Remote countryside and countless volcanic features
- The impressive SP Crater, the San Francisco Peaks’ Inner Basin, and Waterline Road.
- Exploring Sunset Crater National Monuments’ lava flows and the option big climb up to the O’Leary Peak Lookout
- Like on the first segment of the route, water sources are limited in this dry landscape. The most reliable water sources are (1) a pipe-fed stock tank at mile 44, (2) several pipe-fed stock tanks between miles 51 and 53 (FILL UP HERE!), (3) Sunset Crater N.M. Visitor’s Center at mile 98, (4) a pond in Lockett Meadow at mile 105, and (5) a piped spring at the high point on the route at mile 98.
- There are no resupply options on this segment until returning to Flagstaff aside from a gas station 7 miles northeast of Williams.
- Dispersed camping is permitted in most areas of this segment except for the first ~12 miles northeast of Williams. Sunset Crater N.M. has a small campground near the Visitor’s Center, and there’s another campground in Lockett Meadow just before the high point on the route.
- You NEED an Arizona State Land Department Recreation Permit for this section of the route.
- The northern part of the route passes through land owned by Babbitt Ranches. Public access and camping is permitted - simply respect their land and stock and abide by Leave No Trace ethics.
- Flagstaff: Flagstaff Medical Center (928-779-3366)- 1200 N Beaver St, Flagstaff, AZ
- Williams: North Country HealthCare (928.635.4411) - 301 S 7th St, Williams, AZ
REGIONAL CONSERVATION ISSUES AND RESOURCES
LANDSCAPE GUIDE DOWNLOADS
Coming the 3rd week of May, 2017!
PUBLIC LANDS at risk
Our Public Lands Are Under Attack
640 million acres of land in the United States are public – owned by the citizens and managed by the federal government for multiple uses. These lands include forests, mountains, rivers, canyons, deserts, plains and include hundreds of thousands of miles of trails and dirt roads. Public lands are where we bikepack and these lands are under siege. Special interest groups and their political allies are on a campaign to transfer federal lands from the American public to the ownership of states. This land transfer threatens hundreds of millions of acres of protected land, an American fundamental value – that public land is ours – and it threatens the future of recreation and access to the land through which we bikepack.
640 million acres of land in the United States are public – owned by the citizens and managed by the federal government for multiple uses. These lands include forests, mountains, rivers, canyons, deserts, plains and include hundreds of thousands of miles of trails and dirt roads. Public lands are where we bikepack and these lands are under siege. Special interest groups and their political allies are on a campaign to transfer federal lands from the American public to the ownership of states. This land transfer threatens hundreds of millions of acres of protected land, an American fundamental value – that public land is ours – and it threatens the future of recreation and access to the land through which we bikepack.
impacts of climate change: Forests and grazing
