Stunning Sedona views on the Templeton Trail
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Doctors orders were to rest for at least 10 weeks ‘cos of a cracked sternum and a couple of broken ribs I acquired on the Sovereign Trail in Moab 3 weeks ago. I have been in Sedona now for 2 weeks, and there is no way I can mooch around doing nothing for another 7 weeks… My Sternum and Ribs are doing great, so I decided to hit the Sedona trails, and just hope I don’t bite the Sedona dust.
The first network of trails I did was as followed :
>> Big Park Loop >> onto the >> Templeton Trail >> then counter clock Baldwin Trail >> back onto Templeton Trail onto >> HT Trail onto >> Rock Pathway onto >> Llama onto >> Little Horse and finally heading down Broken Arrow
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Trail Stats & Information
Nearby Town : Sedona
Length: 19.28 miles
Trail Type: Point 2 Point
Skill Level: [what the books say] no info
Skill Level: [My Opinion] Technically moderate. Physically moderate [ there are some very demanding sections on Llama and Broken Arrow ]
Duration : My time was 05:40:34 but I took it easy, I think this trail can be done in 3-4 hours
Elev Gain : 2,519 feet
Top Elev : 4,676 feet
Min. Elev : 3,945 feet
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Book Description
I could not find any books describing the Trails I did on this ride, so the below descriptions are based on my personal experience :
>> Big Park Loop : I can keep this very short… BUSY!!!! I arrived at the Trailhead at 9.30am, and there were about 50 cars and 3 tour buses on the lot… If I did this combination again, I would skip this trail.
>> Templeton Trail : Fantastic singletrack with stunning views. There are some fast sections on this trail, but shred with caution, on some sections visibility is minimum, and this trail is popular with hikers. The first section is on dirt windy singletrack, and the second section offers some sweet slickrock riding. Extra caution is needed on the steep downhill to the creek, there is one VERY sharp rocky and gnarly switchback, that is just waiting to put a bitter end to your ride.
>> Baldwin Trail : The only problem I had with this trail, is that it is way too short!! I recommend doing this trail counter clock, it’s a fairly easy ride, but don’t be too Gung Ho or Baldwin will kick your ass!!. The climb is easy / moderate, and the down section is fast and can be furious.. be careful cos there are one or two sections that are pretty brutal.. all in all a fantastic loop.
>> HT Trail : Short trail, sweet singletarck, more a connector than a trail
>> Rock Pathway : Mostly doubletrack, used as a trail connector
>> Llama : The skill level goes up a notch on this trail, the Llama throws a bit of everything at you, singletrack, slickrock, wash-outs, chicken heads, baby heads and a bag full of stunning scenery. There is at least one section on this trail, that anyone with the right amount of brain cells will dismount from their steed and walk…
The Llama Trail is a must !!
>> Little Horse : I only did a very short section of this trail connecting me to the Broken Arrow.. The section I did was very scenic.
>> Broken Arrow : Fantastic Trail, but can be pretty busy with hikers and Pink Jeeps!!… out of all the above trails / connectors, the Broken Arrow was technically the most challenging of all. Broken Arrow offers singletrack and Slickrock. I would not recommend this trail to anyone wanting to test their new Walmart Full Suspension Mongoose.
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My Experience
My first ever ride in Sedona was almost called off, because of the crowds at the Big Park Loop Trailhead, but once I got over the initial shock, and onto the Templeton Trail, I really started to enjoy myself.
What I really liked, was that the Sedona Trails offer various riding experiences, one minute you are are shreddin’ on a sweet dirt singletrack, then you get taken onto a slickrock extravaganza.
Because of my injury, I did take things slow, but it gave me time to enjoy the trail more than I otherwise would have.
The people I met on the trails, ( both mtb’ers and hikers) were very friendly (not so common anymore)
Conclusion
If I had to explain to someone what the Mountain Biking in Sedona is like, it would be as followed :
Take a big shovel of “Amasa Back Moab”, add a wheelbarrow of “Kokopelli Area Trails Fruita”, and mix it with a barrel of “Hartman Rocks Gunnison”.. Mix well, and let it settle, and you’ll have a fine piece of Sedona Trails..
I loved my first experience on the Sedona Trails…. BUT …
It is clear to me that there are tons of fantastic trails in and around Sedona, but if you are not a local like myself then you are pretty much limited to what trails to shred. I have books, trail maps, GPS, websites, and more, but they all mean very little if you do not know the area like the back of your hand. I will be here for another 2.5 weeks, but I suspect that I will never get to ride the best trails in Sedona, ‘cos I can’t find them!!.. But I will do my best.
Other Info:
Traffic on Trail : For a weekday, It was pretty busy, mostly hikers.
Wild Life : Definitely don’t need it on this scenic trail
Scenery : Fantastic.
Getting There : Bell Rock Trailhead: From Sedona follow the 179 to Village of Oak Creek, Trailhead is marked on the left side of the Highway
Other : Trails are well marked, but do not attempt this ride without a map. Keep your eyes open for hikers and dogs not on their leash
My Trail Rating : 9 / 10
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I would like to thank Traildoc for his help and info on planning the Sedona Trails
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