279.1 miles
Distance
21,681 ft
Climb
-21,680 ft
Descent
2 miles
High Point
This route is archived
Pinyons and Pines is an underground self-supported bikepacking race that starts and ends in Flagstaff, AZ (6,910 feet). The route is a magnificent tour of Northern Arizona, utilizing a mixture of singletrack, double track, and dirt roads. The start and finish is at Flagstaff Bicycle Revolution, located at 3 South Mikes Pike, sandwiched between Pizzicletta and Mother Road Brewery. The course is roughly 280 miles and consists of two distinct loops. The first loop is 125 miles and passes through Sedona (4,350 feet) prior to following the Arizona Trail back to Flagstaff. The second loop is 155 miles and circumnavigates several extinct volcanoes, including the San Francisco Peaks, home to Humphreys Peak (12,633 feet), the highest point in Arizona. The second loop overlaps substantially with the popular Craters and Cinder Cones Loop. The total elevation gain for the route is about 21,000 feet. Riders can choose between two categories: solo or duo (2-person team). Pinyons and Pines is an ideal first bikepacking race, but the stunning scenery should make it appealing to experts and beginners alike.
Important This is an unsanctioned event. There are no fees, no prizes, but all attempts will be made to record your finish time in comparison to others. A start time and route are provided and it is up to the participant to understand the route. Riders have full responsibility for their navigation and well being. The goal is to finish the entire route while setting your own pace.
Detailed Description
2019 Pinyons and Pines is a 279 mile intermediate race route located near Flagstaff Arizona. This mountain bike only route can be used both directions and has a hard overall physical rating. This route includes 23 trails. This route climbs 21,681 ft with a max elevation of 9,384 ft then descends -21,680 ft.
Local Trail Association
Please consider joining or donating to the local riding association to support trail development & maintenance.
donate to earn trail karma!
35 Reviews & Comments
-
+ 0
robertellisw
(Oct 22, 2022 at 18:28)
Trail Javelina
Very fun. Pretty chill black.
[Reply]
theshonen8899
(May 2, 2022 at 8:54)
(May 2, 2022 at 8:54)
Trail Mescal
Beautiful trail with amazing views. I don't agree with the blue rating, either this needs to be black or Aerie, Cockscomb, Rupp, Girdner, Chuckwagon need to be green because there's a very clear jump in difficulty. Quite a bit of technical climbing and exposure.
[Reply]
Ampfrog
(Nov 14, 2021 at 19:52)
Trail Javelina
Agree, definitely ride downhill. I love long steep climbs, but no one flying down this is going to yield the way, because it's probably one of the few downhill type trails in the area. On that note, definitely not the best for scenery or slickrock or other Sedona highlights (for example, only trail I've ridden with powerlines next to the trail most of the way). Good for flying down if a local or renting a bike, probably not best use of time if just visiting and want full value.
PS Watch for that one sharp left turn on soft red dirt, very easy to fly off the trail.
[Reply]
PS Watch for that one sharp left turn on soft red dirt, very easy to fly off the trail.
Butterman55
(Oct 11, 2021 at 11:06)
(Oct 11, 2021 at 11:06)
I have to disagree slightly with the previous reviewer. If you like a good challenge, the climb from lower Snowbowl road to Aspen Corner on the AZT is quite good. I’d say it’s perhaps a “navy blue” in a few places for both climbing and descending. For athletic and technically skilled bikers it’s not bad at all, and for intermediate riders, it’s a great trail to grow your strength and skill on while also rewarding you with some of the best scenery in Flagstaff.
Over all, it’s one of the best trails in the area in my opinion. It’s got it all, strep and fairly technical climbs without being brutal, smooth flowing singletrack with grippy loam, wide open vistas, deep dark and dank Fir stands, and bright golden luminous stands of aspen with ferns.
[Reply]
Over all, it’s one of the best trails in the area in my opinion. It’s got it all, strep and fairly technical climbs without being brutal, smooth flowing singletrack with grippy loam, wide open vistas, deep dark and dank Fir stands, and bright golden luminous stands of aspen with ferns.
Escottimilhizer
(May 15, 2021 at 8:56)
(May 15, 2021 at 8:56)
Trail Mescal
This trail is only worth riding for the aesthetics. The trail is an intermediate (at best) and marked as such by the signs around the route. There are a few short punchy climbs but otherwise it’s unremarkable. Unless you are looking to take an inexperienced rider on a visually appealing trail, its not worth it.
[Reply]
jamesapdx
(Mar 31, 2021 at 10:00)
Trail Mescal
Views are epic. Total fun slickrock with some exposure. A bit of hike a bike for beginners/intermediates in places, but not to be missed if in the area. Was serenaded by a bagpiper! darkislepiper.com
[Reply]
twowheeledwanderer
(Nov 16, 2019 at 7:42)
Trail Mescal
I think this is one of the most beautiful and unique trails in Sedona. It runs along the base of Mescal Mountain and a good portion of it is on red slickrock. There are some techy sections, but they're easily walkable if you don't feel comfortable. I wrote up a blog post about the 8 best trails in Sedona (in my opinion) and Mescal is one of them twowheeledwanderer.com/posts/my-eight-favorite-mountain-bike-trails-in-sedona-arizona
[Reply]
Mgripsbig
(Oct 20, 2019 at 20:40)
Trail Rogers Lake Connector
This is a great trail to take the family on. It’s pretty, easy, and as the other reviews have mentioned, it’s very much like a cross country track. It’s not hard and is a very pretty ride. It’s more like a green trail than a blue square intermediate for sure. A lot of fun!
[Reply]
superxavi
(Sep 11, 2019 at 20:46)
Trail Rogers Lake Connector
XC vibes, but pretty awesome to rip. Loose rocks around but nothing too crazy. The climb at the end is challenging up but very fast and fun down with some berms and gnarlier terrain. Enjoyable ride, but don’t expect anything crazy, great scenery.
[Reply]
andy-legrunge
(Aug 29, 2019 at 12:44)
Trail Inner Basin Trail
Fun and beautiful but super crowded with day hikers. Expect some sassy attitudes and uncertain etiquette. Ride weekdays and/or early morning
[Reply]
joedave
(Aug 24, 2019 at 22:35)
Trail Rogers Lake Connector
Pretty scenery but very XC type trail. I feel it’s mis labeld personally, it should be a green trail.
There’s one or two fun sections otherwise a exceptionally hard tail friendly trail.
[Reply]
There’s one or two fun sections otherwise a exceptionally hard tail friendly trail.
jeffgicklhorn
SDMB (Jul 22, 2019 at 12:27)
Don’t make the mistake we did while visiting and ride up from the snowbowl road (steep and rocky). Everyone either pedals up the road to Aspen Corner or shuttles. Otherwise great trail.
[Reply]
slusapet
(Oct 21, 2018 at 17:36)
Trail Javelina
Puts you right at the exit of Grand Central. If you want to get on AZ 89A, then there is a trail that leads up to the right(stick to the right coming out of Javelina OR Grand Central
) of a dried out creek bed(uphill). Take that and you will arrive at your destination, AZ 89 A.
[Reply]
) of a dried out creek bed(uphill). Take that and you will arrive at your destination, AZ 89 A.
Trails in Route
| 4 miles | |||||
| 2 miles | |||||
| 3,615 ft | |||||
| 3,094 ft | |||||
| 545 ft | |||||
| 1 mile | |||||
| 807 ft | |||||
| 12 miles | |||||
| 2 miles | |||||
| 7 miles |
Details
More Stats for 2019 Pinyons and Pines mountain bike route
-
Altitude min4,095 ft
-
Altitude start6,900 ft
-
Altitude end6,900 ft
-
Grade max-92%
-
Grade min45.2%
-
Distance climb119 miles
-
Distance down135 miles
-
Distance flat26 miles
close
3D
Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Inadequate
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
Trailforks scans users ridelogs to determine the most popular direction each trail is ridden. A good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their intension.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.
- > 96%
- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
- > 50%
- < 50%
- bi-directional trail
- no data
Trail Last Ridden
Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine the last time a trail was ridden.
- < 2 days
- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
- < 6 months
- > 6 months
Trail Ridden Direction
The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
- Downhill Only
- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
- One Direction
Contribute Details
Colors indicate trail is missing specified detail.
- Description
- Photos
- Description & Photos
- Videos
Trail Popularity ?
Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months.
Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades.
Think of this as a heatmap, more rides = more kinetic energy = warmer colors.
- most popular
- popular
- less popular
- not popular
ATV/ORV/OHV Filter
Max Vehicle Width
inches
Radar Time
x
Activity Recordings
Trailforks users anonymized public ridelogs from the past 6 months.
- mountain biking recent
- mountain biking (>6 month)
- hiking (1 year)
- moto (1 year)
Activity Recordings
Trailforks users anonymized public skilogs from the past 12 months.
- Downhill Ski
- Backcountry Ski
- Nordic Ski
- Snowmobile
Jump Magnitude Heatmap
Heatmap of where riders jump on trails. Zoom in to see individual jumps, click circles to view jump details.
Trails Deemphasized
Trails are shown in grey.
Only show trails with NO bikes.
Save the current map location and zoom level as your default home location whenever this page is loaded.
Save
Trail transparency