The Highline Trail in Sedona, not just a mountain biking trail, but a mountain biking adventure.

Last year ( 2010 ) I did this trail for the first time, it was also the first ride I did in the USA with a guide. This year the roles had turned, and I was the guide. Luckily for me, I managed to find the trail a whole year later. The ride was just like last year fantastic, and I ended up doing it numerous times… Lucky, ‘cos on the first ride I had a fast crash, supermanning at least 20ft.
I had no idea why I crashed, until I watched the video that I was shooting when I came off, then it became clear…

The answer is in the footage..  

Trail Stats & Information

Nearby Town : Sedona
Length: 10.28 miles
Trail Type: Lollipop
Skill Level: [what the books say] no info
Skill Level: [My Opinion] Technically difficult / very difficult. Physically moderate / demanding
Duration : My time was 2:50:16
Elev Gain : 1,741 feet
Top Elev : 4,717 feet
Min. Elev : 3,963 feet

Book Description

I could not find any Mtb Trail books describing the Highline Trail, because it is not really an “official” trail, so the below descriptions are based on my personal experience :

>> The Highline Trail is unique in many ways, the whole trail is singletrack, slickrock and the occasional creek bed. This trail is not mapped ( yet?) which means it is almost impossible to ride, unless you ride with a “local” or someone that has done it before. Once on the Highline Trail the trail is easy to follow. The views from the trail are second to none. Another nice thing about the Highline Trail is that it does not get the crowds other Sedona Trails get.

 

[Show as slideshow]

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Conclusion

Two days after the group ride, I did the Highline Trail again, this time solo, and what I REALLY loved about this trail both times, was the feeling I got when riding it.. To me it did not feel like a mountain bike ride, it felt like an adventure, there was nobody else on the trail, when I was with the group I felt like we were a Posse, and when I was alone, I felt like the “Lone Rider”

The Highline Trail is as fantastic as it is unique, it offers sweet narrow singletrack, some slow tech. creek bed riding, some fantastic slickrock and some mental downhill sections and lets not forget the fantastic scenery. Its not often that you get all of this on one trail.

Other Info:

Traffic on Trail : none on the actual Highline Trail
Wild Life : Too much scenery to notice any wildlife
Scenery : The Best!!
Getting There : Little Horse Trailhead :
Head out of Sedona on the 179 towards Oak Creek Village, just after the roundabout at “Back ‘o Beyond Road” take the first left onto the trailhead.
Other : take (an) extra innertube(s) / repair kit, this is punture country.

My Trail Rating : 10 / 10 with a GOLD STAR