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23.8 miles
Distance
2,397 ft
Climb
-2,389 ft
Descent
4,740 ft
High Point
8 ft
Altitude change
4,122 ft
Altitude min
4,571 ft
Altitude start
4,580 ft
Altitude end
-42.4%
Grade max
35%
Grade min
11 miles
Distance climb
10 miles
Distance down
3 miles
Distance flat
A fairly difficult loop that has about 6 possible starting points as the loop passes numerous parking areas\trailheads. It really can only be done counter-clockwise unless you are willing to ride up both Ground Control and Bottom Out The loop shown starts at the Aerie parking lot and gives you the 5 Black trails while you are still fresh! Starting at the Girdner trailhead is also good, but doing Bottom Out as the first trail is a bit of a shock to the system and then finishing on Ledge n Airy is hard when you are shot.
Detailed Description
Western Gateway Loop is a 24 mile popular expert route located near Sedona Arizona. This mountain bike only route can be used one direction and has a hard overall physical rating. This route includes 25 trails. This route climbs 2,397 ft with a max elevation of 4,740 ft then descends -2,389 ft.
Trail Issues on Route
- Closed: 2 trails (newest: Aug 15, 2026)
Local Trail Association
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Stats
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Distance24 miles
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Avg time3 hr 21 min
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Altitude min4,122 ft
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Altitude start4,571 ft
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Altitude end4,580 ft
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Climb2,397 ft
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Descent-2,389 ft
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Grade max-42.4%
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Grade min35%
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Distance climb11 miles
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Distance down10 miles
-
Distance flat3 miles
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Trails in Route
| 5,075 ft | |||||
| 4,114 ft | |||||
| 2,434 ft | |||||
| 3 miles | |||||
| 4,619 ft | |||||
| 1 mile | |||||
| 148 ft | |||||
| 1 mile | |||||
| 4,626 ft | |||||
| 1,444 ft | |||||
| 659 ft | |||||
| 1 mile | |||||
| 2,264 ft | |||||
| 4,600 ft | |||||
| 1 mile |
Details
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Riding area
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Primary ActivityMountain Bike
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Difficulty ratingBlack Diamond
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Route TypeLoop
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eBike Allowed
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Bike typeAM
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DirectionOne Direction
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Physical ratingHard
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Photos
Videos
mtb
Chuck Wagon MTB Trail Preview | Sedona, Arizona
trail: Chuck Wagon
22:33 | 42 | comments: 0 | favs:
Aug 1, 2026
mtb
Mescal Trail Preview: Is This Worth the Hype?
trail: Mescal
19:56 | 17 | comments: 0 | favs:
Jul 18, 2026
Recent Trail Reports Along Route
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- By PGomersall
& contributors - #25119 - 3,562 views
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