Blackout Loop

Are you seeking the biggest, meanest, scariest, least forgiving, and most intimidating two rides in Sedona in just one day's time? Look no further than this masochist inspired, glory chasing sufferfest, along the most sketchy and humbling terrain features in Red Rock Country. Different from many rides in Sedona, where the monumental rock features decorate the surrounding landscape, and the trail rides below. This adventure will take you into, atop, and across the largest rideable slickrock areas in the region. 

For both rides, there’s long sections of escalating uphill riding, with a bounty of punchy armored features, and a plethora of high consequence exposed ledges. This unique combo adventure will coalesce two of Sedona’s best double black diamond rides together, with a shuttle transport in between, to provide a fork pounding, thrill riding adventure -- like you’ve never had before. The day will begin with a loop of Mitten Ridge via Hangover Trail and then transfer to a second loop of the HOGS. 

Both of these spectacular rides attract expert riders from across the World, but few of them combine the two together for a mega adventure like this one. The shuttle between the two rides allows a moment to recharge your water, electrolytes, and food supply before grinding back into double black territory, and back into the region’s most precision based technical riding. These rides are literally stacked with nearly every type of technical terrain feature you can find on a mountain bike, with an array of: tree slaloms, arroyo moguls, large baby heads, sneaky shark fins, big jumps, cascading benches, thumpy staircases, cliffside exposure, gravity defying crossings, and lethal consequences for bad lines and complacency. 

Along these rides, you will develop a “friends with benefits” relationship with the areas grippy slickrocks and huge exposure.  You will need to know your boundaries and know when to commit to your lines wholeheartedly -- to survive without injury. For these reasons provided above, and many more, this adventure is intended for only the most elite expert riders, and with no exceptions. It’s essential for the safety of you, other riders, and our guides, that you are physically and psychologically prepared for this experience with proper training, protective equipment, and full suspension bike to get the job done safely. For those qualified and prepared for this adventure, there is no doubt it will soon become the greatest ride of your life.

The day begins with a steep and arduous ascent up Schnebly Hill Road for the first mile, to arrive at an intersection with Munds Wagon Trail, where all the fun begins. The path presents a lot of volcanic rock, which manifests on the trails as polished baby heads – sometimes displayed as a field of hidden landmines -- as you approach them with momentum on the occasional descent sections of the uphill journey. The trail is missing many would be switchbacks, and instead involves punishing technical ascents, where your granny gear will be your lifeline to success, especially as increasingly larger doses of suffering come along as the trail progresses up and up to Cowpies Trail. 

Once you’ve arrived at Cowpies, you will cruise through moderate terrain, while passing by sections of rock outcroppings locals first call “The Moon” and next “Mars.” The area offers sublime views of Bear Wallow Canyon, Munds Mountain Wilderness, Pointed Dome, Queen Victoria, and Moose’s Butte. The final section of the trail ascends some cascaded red rock shelves, then transitions to slick rock, as far as the eye can see on the path ahead. 

Upon reaching the end of Cowpies Trail, the path modestly leads into Hangover Trail. Right out of the gate, the trail immediately demands respect from riders -- as it crosses narrow ledges, and takes steep sweeping drops, with massive exposure on the left side through most of the next half mile ahead. In several cases, the rider is forced to maintain speed to allow the bike to make the narrow crossings from one expanse of slickrock to the other. The trail then leads through a limestone graveyard, where the rider zig-zags through a narrow passage to begin some steep technical switchbacks to the summit overlook of Mitten Ridge. 

From there, the trail follows down a steep and grainy chute, to arrive back on a slickrock landing below, and then begins a dizzyingly narrow traverse along the improbable trail circling Mitten Ridge. This part of the ride is about four feet wide and is absolutely thrilling. While the terrain features are minimal through this section, the exposure is significant enough to demand your undivided attention, creating a deeply meditative pedaling experience.

After cruising through the traverse, the ride reaches some sneaky roots and technical hairpin turns, before beginning a steep descent down & across the bulbous slickrock formation. A few more narrow speed dependent crossings, lead way to one of the gnarliest descents in Sedona. It’s thumpy, pumpy, large, and intimidating in this section -- with precision riding and expert level feather braking needed to clear the route cleanly. The most intimidating section of the long and wild descent actually comes in its transition to flatter ground located near the base, where the severity of the decline forces the rider to have perfect positioning to navigate the line safely. 

After passing through the area, the ride returns to flowy slickrock, before later enjoying some loose switchbacks, and flowy rolling hills. The pump tech continues on the last half mile of Hangover, where steep drops soon lead way to narrow rock gardens, then to a spiraling descent, and finally some speedy switchbacks. Once you’ve arrived at Munds Wagon Trail, all that’s left between you and the end are just a few major hill climbs, and some pumpy descents to get back to the parking lot. The elevated benches, hidden baby heads, and sneaky shark fins will serve as your last major obstacles before making it safely back to the start. 

While most riders would then crack a cold one and tell their best memories from the wild ride they just crushed, you will just be getting started. Your guide will transport you to the next leg of your adventure and after a quick moment to recharge, you will be off again for another epic ride on double blacks. The trail will start from Mystic Trailhead to provide a clockwise loop of the HOGS formation. 

The ride begins  humbly  on Mystic Trail, which quickly connects with Peccary Trail, and then Hog Wash in quick succession. This first section of the ride  is flowy, with choppy armored arroyo crossings, and some loose uphill riding to connect with Hog Wash. The trail provides wonderful views of Wilson Mountain, Crimson Spires Area, and Capitol Butte along its narrow and playful passage. With some delicate and cautious uphill ascents, and a couple of technical climbs too, the trail circles the north side of Squadron Rock and delivers you to Twin Buttes Trail. 

This next section of the ride uses some tight switchbacks and steep armored benches to ascend to the lower summit of Squadron Rock, and soon connects with Hog Heaven. Despite its relatively laid back start, the trail quickly escalates into a physically demanding technical ascent, up multi-tiered slickrock features to reach the high point of the ride. The descent along Hog Heaven is extremely powdery, requiring delicate braking, and fully-committed lines to brave the steep droppers & rotunded roll downs. 

After several thrills and hills, the trail reconnects with Hog Wash briefly before reconnecting with Mystic Trail to bring you back to your starting point. The HOGS Loop is considered the best relatively short double black diamond loop in Sedona, and after rounding it out, it’s hard to disagree -- with its awesome naturally occurring technical terrain features, innovative armored sections, and new age free style  flow riding. 

The completion of the days massive double down, will leave you sore, tired, and all smiles in celebration of a full value day in Red Rock Country. This unmatched double black, double loop, will make your entire trip to Sedona and create adventure memories that will last a lifetime!!

Outing Includes

Red Rock Pass

SmartWater

Ultima Electrolytes

LaCroix Sparkling Water

Osprey Backpack/Fanny Pack

1,300 Lumen Helmet Light (If Needed)

1,300 Lumen Bike Light (If Needed)

Fox Launch Knee Pads (Optional)

Riding Gloves (Optional)

50 UPF Sun Hoody (Optional)

30+SPF Sunscreen

Organic Insect Repellent

Organic Packaged Snacks

Two Sliced Organic Fruits

Full Sedona Based Transport

MTB Rental Pick-Up & Transport

Private MTB Guide (First Aid & CPR Certified)

All Medical Supplies & Safety Gear Needed

Emergency Bike Repair Supplies

List of Supplies Included

Logistics

• Duration: 5 Hours of Biking & 1 Hour of Logistics
• Distance: 12.5 Miles
• Type of Tour: Private Only
• Capacity: 1 - 14 Riders
• Difficulty: Expert
• Transport: 1 Vehicle
• Type of Ride: Enduro Ride / Loop Ride / Technical Ride / Black Diamond Ride 
• Special Extra Feature of Tour: Shuttle Ride Provided Between the Two Loop Rides
• Trails Used: Ride #1 - Schnebly Hill Road, Munds Wagon Trail, Cowpies Trail, Hangover Trail, Munds Wagon Trail & Ride #2 - Broken Arrow Trail, High on the Hog Trail, Hog Heaven Trail, Hog Wash Trail
• Map of Ride Location:  Uptown Sedona & Eastern Sedona
• Best Season: All Year
• Start Times: 9AM, 9:30AM, 10AM, 10:30AM, 11AM
• Upcoming Availabilities: Five Hour: Blackout Loop
• Cost: $345 + Tax/Rider (Private Group Calendar) & $475 + Tax (Private Solo Rider Calendar)*
• Rental Bike Options: Kids Full Suspension Bike (+$50/Rider), Standard Full Suspension Bike (+$80/Rider), Premium Full Suspension Bike (+$100/Rider), Dream Full Suspension Bike (+$130/Rider). Rental Pick-Up, Rental Transportation, and Basic Rental Bike Damage Coverage Included. You Can Add Rental(s) at Check-Out

*Two Person Minimum for Private Groups or Please Refer to Private Solo Rider Tour Pricing