more stats

3.2 miles

Distance

249 ft

Climb

-403 ft

Descent

00:33:36

Avg time

-152 ft

Altitude change

4,241 ft

Altitude min

4,602 ft

Altitude max

4,602 ft

Altitude start

4,452 ft

Altitude end

-0.9%

Grade

-22.6%

Grade max

25.9%

Grade min

1 mile

Distance climb

2 miles

Distance down

2,539 ft

Distance flat

00:33:36

Avg time

Axis Details

Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Adaptive Bike
- Horse
- Hike
- Trail Running
Riding Area

Western Gateway
Sedona, Arizona
Difficulty Rating

Blue Rate
Voted Difficulty

Blue (3 votes)
Local Popularity
85 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 65 in Trail Running
- 40 in Hiking
- 5 in Horseback
Global Ranking
#10779 in Mountain Biking [+]
- #72206 in Trail Running
- #102278 in Hiking
- #536 in Horseback
Hiking SAC Scale

T1 Hiking
Trail Type

Singletrack
Bike Type

AM, XC, Adaptive MTB
Direction

Both Directions
Climb Difficulty

Black Diamond
Physical Rating

Moderate
Trail Visibility

Always easy to follow
Season

All Season
Dogs Allowed

Yes
eBike Allowed

No
Year Opened

2020
Land Owner

USFS

The Axis trail is 3.4 miles long. The trail is better ridden in the north (Cockscomb) to south (TBD, TBD, Girdner, Lasso, Girdner) direction. There are five different trail intersections with other trails on the way to Girdner near the Cultural Center. Axis actually crosses Girdner once near Dry Creek and intersects Girdner at the top near the Cultural Center.

In the north to south direction there is a two mile section that is mainly downhill. I have rated the trail in the north to south direction as 20% Beginner, 60% Intermediate, 20% Advanced. If you are a fast rider, I would up all the percentages to indicate a way more advanced ride.

The top section near Cockscomb was a few steep sections that cross a deep drainage twice giving the opportunity for big air by expert riders. Those jump segments should even get better with lots of traffic.

In the lower segment about a mile from the Dry Creek crossing the trail tilts downhill through a very scenic section with two wide fast slickrock drainage sections.

Once you reach the Dry Creek Wash you will cross the Girdner trail heading .6 mile up to Lasso. That trail segment is a much more mellow climb if you are heading to the Cultural Center.The segment from Lasso to upper Girdner is an easy .3 mile long.

Well the total ride from upper Girdner to Cockscomb is totally different depending on your skill level. The first segment to Lasso is 100% a Beginner trail. It’s easy to ride it super fast due to clear lines of site, if you don'T encounter horses, hikers or other mountain bikers.

When you reach the Lasso/Axis intersection turn left and head down to Girdner. This is also a fast, twisty, up and down highballer segment. Beware of other users and use the MTB courtesy rules to reduce user conflicts.

When you reach the lower Girdner crossing the whole Axis experience is going to change for you. This is where the challenging uphill starts for riders who love to climb. There are many challenging short segments that will challenge advanced and expert riders.

Up about X.X mile from lower Girdner crossing there is a new trail TBD1 that will turn west and bring you up to Last Frontier near the gas line crossing. As you pass TBD1 the trail continues to be very steep in several sections. Some of those segments have steep steps, that will add to the challenge factor.

The trail levels out some what with an up and down twisty routing for about 1/2 mile. That section is pretty much a beginner trail. After the beginner section the trail transitions to an up and down rocky techie section that brings you up to the other TBD trail that will take riders over to the Rupp trail. From there up to
Cockscomb Axis become
more challenging again. There are short sections riders looking for challenging uphill trails will love. Pay attention to high speed riders ripping downhill the trail. There are several spots with poor site lines.
.
Have fun riding Axis it’s a total ripper going south.

Equestrians: This trail is a great connector from the Cultural Park, crossing Dry Creek, to the Cockscomb trail system. Axis trail will end at Cockscomb trail. From here you can take Rupp back across Dry Creek to Girdner (CAUTION: Precipice section) to Stirrup or Saddle Up, back up to the Cultural Park. For a longer ride continue on Cockscomb to Dawa, Arizona Cypress, Anaconda and Girdner (CAUTION: Precipice section) to Stirrup or Saddle Up, back up to the Cultural Park.

Access Info

The Cockscomb trail on the north end and upper Girdner on the south end.

Adaptive Bike Info

aMTB Black Rating: Advanced obstacles exist, some trail obstructions.

Major rock obstacles definitely requiring assistance

Local Trail Association

Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition
Mountain Bike Association of Arizona
Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to support
trail development & maintenance.
Donate to earn trail karma!

Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week

0 rides

6 Months

126 rides
15 miles avg distance

All

957 rides
Last: Jun 27, 2026

c1	c2	c3	c4
January	February	March	April
May	June	July	August
September	October	November	December

update trails status or condition

Axis Trail Reports

status	date	description
	Apr 2, 2026 @ 11:24am (America/Phoenix) Apr 2, 2026
	Nov 1, 2025 @ 2:14pm (America/Phoenix) Nov 1, 2025
	Mar 8, 2025 @ 9:01am Mar 8, 2025
	Mar 6, 2025 @ 9:18am Mar 6, 2025
	Jan 30, 2025 @ 8:36am Jan 30, 2025	Hero Dirt!

Western Gateway
2 trails

Routes with this trail

Beginner / Intermediate: Cultural Park Loop

★ 5.0 • 17 miles • 1,331 ft • 7 • Loop •

Beginner / Intermediate ride starting from Thunder Mountain Bikes. From the shop, ride down to the...

MJ-Routes Girdner-Axis

★ 5.0 • 8 miles • 813 ft • 2 • Loop •

If you want Flow and less tech, this is one of my favorite routes with the most descending bang for buck...

10 Miles -Sedona West Blue (Intermediate) Trails

★ 4.0 • 10 miles • 968 ft • 2 • Loop •

Riding blue (intermediate) trails from the Cultural Center parking lot and back.

7 Reviews & Comments

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Nearby Trails

Ground Control 1,109 ft
Outer Limits 2,828 ft
Rover 1 mile
Last Frontier 1 mile
Doe Mountain Access 2 miles

Western Gateway

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Frequently Asked Questions About Axis

▼ Where is Axis located?

Axis is located in Western Gateway, Sedona, Arizona, United States. It is part of the Western Gateway trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 34.87906, -111.85775.

▼ How hard is Axis?

Axis is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 0.9%. The climb difficulty is rated Black Diamond.

▼ What is the elevation gain for Axis?

Axis has 249 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 403 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 4,241 ft to 4,602 ft.

▼ Is Axis a point to point trail?

Axis is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.

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