RR: Thumb Butte, Prescott, AZ

[dstepper]

I really should spend more time in Prescott riding. Most of my free time I have here I want to go ride Sedona.

Today parked at the day parking area for Thumb Butte and dropped over the hill to the West..twards Iron Springs and Granite Basin. Found two excellent unmarked unoffical trails, both ended up on private property...Christian Camps. I talked to the property owners and they have no problem with horse traffic and bikes coming through thier lands. So now I can contect Thumb Butte with Little Granite Mountain making for epics ride all day rides.

Last day to ride AZ tomorrow and going to hit Falgstaff again....can't get enough of that high altitude rding.

Dean

[Pain Freak]

Dean, did you see any other riders out there?

Gorgeous shots.

[allison]

Road trip!

[sheclimbs]

pretty stuff. Looking forward to riding Prescott one of these days, it seems like once you are in Sedona it's so hard to leave...maybe this year.

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Dean, did you see any other riders out there?

Gorgeous shots.

Prescott is surounded by National Forest on three sides. There is alot of public land around here, so trail groups are way spread out. In 5 days I have yet to see another MTBer on a trail. Once I leave the trailhead I don't see a soul. None of that crazy trail conflick, off limits to bikes, endangered species crap we have in So-Cal. Only main trails and fireroads marked, which leaves 90% unmarked, unsigned...hard to follow Topo maps....relying on GPS alot. Mostly out and backs to keep my bearings. It is very easy to get lost out here: singletracts are fine but those Forest Service roads all start to look the same after awhile.

It is Arizona, as close to the wild west as you will get. Wide open spaces and few rules in the National Forest. Ride anywhere you want, camp anywhere you want, campfire anywhere you want, shoot anywhere you want.

What I want to know is how AZ gets so much money to maintain thier forests...they put Cal to shame. I think I know the answer, AZ has different priorities and they put money into outdoor activities.

Dean

[CalEpic]

Dean - Is there still snow in Flag?

I'm going to be working in Prescott May 18-20. If you'll be in town let's fit a ride in.

C

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by CalEpic

Dean - Is there still snow in Flag?

I'm going to be working in Prescott May 18-20. If you'll be in town let's fit a ride in.

C

I do not think Snow Bowl opened up for more than a few days this year. No snow on Elden at all. One inch last night, going up to ride Mt. Elden tomorrow. Looking from Prescott to Humphrey Peak no difference from a few days ago. Temps in mid 70's in Prescott so Flag should be nice tomorrow.

Craig, I will be in Prescott May 18th.

[Kid A]

nice report and pics. Who was the genius who named it Thumb Butt (oh, Butte my bad).

hey Dean - saw an advert in outside mag that said Precott had something like 350 (or 450)? miles of trails..is that true? Nice. you hit them all yet?

[gurp13]

You put yer thumb in yer WHUT!!!!

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by Kid A

hey Dean - saw an advert in outside mag that said Precott had something like 350 (or 450)? miles of trails..is that true? Nice. you hit them all yet?

There are alot of trails but many of what they call trails are old logging roads. No way that many miles if they are talking pure singletrack. There are old roads going every where in the forest.

Dean

[dhshuttlemonkey]

Originally Posted by dstepper

It is Arizona, as close to the wild west as you will get. Wide open spaces and few rules in the National Forest. Ride anywhere you want, camp anywhere you want, campfire anywhere you want, shoot anywhere you want.

No adventure pass [SIZE=1](tax)[/SIZE] needed?