Are you able to pronounce as a local?
Last night Steve and I drove up Thumb Butte road seeking an officially branded camp spot. Late afternoon w/ expectations that the weekenders would be on their way back to their Monday morning work grind. The same campers were there that we saw when we rode by them earlier. Road had been recently graded which eliminated the stutter bumps which were replaced by rocks the grader blade skipped over. We grabbed the first open one to stop the road driving. Site had some side hill which took many leveling blocks to keep the coffee in the cup on the morn.
Today’s ride was meeting Bill Z and Amy on Iron Springs road. Trail Forks is cool in that if a parking spot was indicated it was linked to google maps and driving instructions. I thought I knew the parking spot Bill talked about, however, where I lead Steve to was not where he wanted us. Bill flagged us down as he saw us when he was driving to the spot he wanted further up the highway. All good. Crowded parking spot occupied by many mtn biker rigs.
Bill and Amy created a route that was written on paper. All the trails we were to ride are signed. Trailforks also is in play. Bill lead out. First part was mostly slightly downhill again on decomposed granite. These trails were more challenging than the ones we rode on over at Thumb Butte. But, paying the piper would have to pedaled to.
Open Ponderosa pine forest enhanced by feller buncher logging machine. We rode several recently completed trails, well, within last 2 years. Lots of rewarding stuff to ride on.
Boulders. We rode over the tops of the ones buried.
Bill and Amy had the route dialed causing several discussions. All played out well.
Ride was a time consumer dialed to enjoyment of the surroundings and company.
Prescott NF with a local guy participating in the design and building of ever increasing mileage of trails.
Prescott is about 1,000′ higher than Sedona. Forest cover is P pine and juniper and oak. Snow has not been melted as the vegetation is still starting to send signals to get it on with this reproduction thing. Have many creatures to feed. Several stream crossings. One flowed so cleanly but will soon have no more water to pass down stream Boulders that aren’t red. Tree height well over my head. Lots of fun riding miles. Also black diamond miles.
Drove back to Sedona. Watched men’s div 1 championship game. Pulled for TTU who beat Gonzaga. Played close but Virginia won in overtime. Spent night out on Beaverhead amongst the grazing cows. This year the desert is very green for lots more cows than I saw the last 2 dry winters.
Today was a rest day after 6 straight days of riding.