MOUNTAIN BIKING: North Urban Trail System - West

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Description

The North Urban Trail System is an interconnected series of trails along the red rock front country at the north edge of Sedona. The western portion, described here, includes Lower Chimney Rock, Summit, Chimney Rock Pass, and Thunder Mountain Trails. These trails may be reached using the three trailheads (see directions) or from the Teacup Trail from the west.
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An easy 1.4 mile loop can be made from the Thunder Mountain Trailhead using Lower Chimney Rock Trail and the southern portion of the Thunder Mountain Trail. From the loop, a short but steep route climbs up the Summit Trail to Chimney Rock Vista on top of a red rock hill with a great 360 degree view. A moderate 2.6 mile loop can be made using the Chimney Rock Pass Trail and more of the Thunder Mountain Trail. or, a moderate "figure 8" of 3 miles can be hiked using the same trails. The trailhead at the north end of Andante Drive can also be used as the starting point for these loops. These trails offer no shade.
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The Thunder Mountain Trail is the connector between these western trails and the eastern portion of the North Urban Trail System. The trail begins at the Thunder Mountain Trailhead and goes north, passing Chimney Rock. It then turns east and crosses the open area south of the sheer face of Capitol Butte, intersecting Teacup Trail at 1.7 miles. This is an easy, level trail, but there is no shade. The Teacup trail continues east. The Sugarloaf Trailhead is .3 miles to the south.

Directions

Thunder Mountain Trailhead - From the junction of Routes 89A and 179, take 89A west 3.2 miles to Dry Creek Road on the right. Go north .5 miles to Thunder mountain Road on the right. Go .6 miles east to the turnoff on the left for trailhead parking. GPS: N34° 52' 14.5194", W-111° 48' 40.86"<br /><br/><br/><br />Andante Drive Trailhead - From the junction of Routes 89A and 179, go west 2.5 miles to Andante Road on the right. Go north 1.2 miles to end of road and small trailhead parking area on left next to water storage tank. Follow spur trail west 120 yards to the Thunder Mountain Trail.<br /><br/><br/><br />Sugarloaf Trailhead - from the junction of Routes 89A and 179, take 89A west 2 miles to Coffee Pot Drive on the right. Go .5 miles to Sandborn Drive on the left, then .02 miles to Little Elf Drive on the right. Go .2 miles to the end of Little Elf and turn right on Buena Vista Drive for 50 yards to the trailhead parking area on the left.<br /><br />

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