1.3 miles
Distance
151 ft
Climb
-128 ft
Descent
00:16:31
Avg time
Supporters, Builders, Maintainers & Land Managers of Sketch Trail

  • USFS
    Land Manager

Sketch Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Carroll Canyon
    Sedona, Arizona
  • Ref Number
    #672
  • Difficulty Rating
    Black Diamond rate
  • Voted Difficulty
    Black Diamond (2 votes)
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Climb Difficulty
    Black Diamond
  • Physical Rating
    Hard
  • Season
    All Year
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • TTFs on Trail
    Berm
  • Ride in Rain
    Yes
  • Global Ranking
    #9564 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #6426 in Trail Running
    • #11412 in Hiking
  • Local Popularity
    65 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 70 in Trail Running
    • 70 in Hiking
  • Land Owner
    USFS

The newly adopted Sketch trail has been a long term favorite of the local Sedona mountain bike community. The FS has recently done several re-routes to make the trail more user friendly to advanced/intermediate riders. The trail is rated as 75% intermediate, 20% advanced and 5% advanced with exposure. The trail is easiest to ride from north to south mostly downhill direction. The south to north direction is totally rideable by more experienced riders who like narrow challenging uphill trails.

One of the nice characteristics of the trail is that it can be ridden after 3 or 4 hours of clear weather after heavy rain periods due to the rocky nature of the trail tread. This trail is also very scenic and offers great views of the major rock formations (Cathedral Pyramid,, Thunder Mountain, Bell Rock and Courthouse) surrounding Sedona. There is a special break spot about halfway through the ride with a great view of the Carroll Canyon wash several hundred feet below. There are some berms on several turns to allow for a faster ride in those sections.

Since Sketch intersects the Ridge trail at the north and south ends it offers and optional route between the Chavez gravel road (south end) and the Recycle Center (north end). For advanced riders that have good climbing skills and don't mind some exposure, Sketch is a much more enjoyable ride in the south to north direction.

Access Info

The Sketch trail intersects the Ridge trail which starts at the Recycle Center at the north end or Chavez gravel road at the south end.

Disclaimer

Equestrians Restricted

Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
More Stats for Sketch multi-use trail trail
  • Altitude change
    21 ft
  • Altitude min
    4,244 ft
  • Altitude max
    4,330 ft
  • Altitude start
    4,252 ft
  • Altitude end
    4,275 ft
  • Grade
    0.3%
  • Grade max
    -25.7%
  • Grade min
    21.4%
  • Distance climb
    3,169 ft
  • Distance down
    2,762 ft
  • Distance flat
    787 ft
  • Avg time
    00:16:31
  • Avg reverse time
    00:16:33
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Mar 6, 2025
Ideal
Avg: 4 (18 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
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  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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      Directions to sketch trailhead (34.833520, -111.799480)

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 3 rides
      • 13 miles avg distance
      6 Months
      • 60 rides
      • 15 miles avg distance
      All
      • 344 rides
      • Last: Apr 22, 2025

      Photos

      more »
      271 |
      Jan 7, 2016 @ 7:39pm
      Jan 7, 2016
      230 |
      Jan 7, 2016 @ 7:35pm
      Jan 7, 2016
      53 |
      Oct 29, 2022 @ 5:53pm
      Oct 29, 2022
      133 |
      Mar 7, 2021 @ 8:37pm
      Mar 7, 2021

      Trail Lists

      Routes with this trail

      more »
      titledistance
      VVCC - Carroll Canyon Triple-S10 miles
      Sedona: Triple H30 miles
      VVCC - Longer Route - 2023 March Picnic15 miles
      Roam Fest Sedona - CRLCYN 2 - Skywalker/Pyramid/Sketch10 miles

      5 Reviews & Comments


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      Videos

      more »
      youtuber Ridge & Sketch
      9:52 | 128 | Oct 27, 2023 , Sedona
      Sketch
      10:43 | 142 | Aug 28, 2022 , Sedona
      Sketch
      0:06 | 500 | Apr 28, 2014 , Sedona

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