MTB Heaven Traverse

If you’re seeking a double black diamond adventure with a cross country feel, then look no further than this marvelous sufferfest ride. This unique one-way adventure allows you to view some of Sedona’s most beautiful red rock monuments, while pedaling through nearly every type of terrain feature you can encounter on a mountain bike. The ride will present narrow cliffside passages, red rock moguls, tree slaloms, steep downhills, massive rollers, pump tech, heavy drops, challenging uphills, armored step benches, and hairpin turns to keep you on the ready around every bend. 

Throughout the ride, you will be exposed to inspiring views of Squadron Rock, Munds Mountain Wilderness, Twin Buttes Elephant Rock, Streaker Spire, Christianity Spire, Gibraltar Rock, Crown Butte, Courthouse Butte, Bell Rock, Castle Rock, and Cathedral Rock to name a few. Even better, this adventure exposes you to two of Sedona’s most classic black diamond rides. First, looping the HOGS area and later traversing the famed HiLine Trail. These two rides done together, especially as a one-way, creates the best expert level three hour double black diamond ride in Sedona. 

The ride begins along Mystic Trail, where the rider passes several chundery washes to eventually make some steep and successive red plated ascents. The trail then passes through Pig Tail Trail, and roller coasters its way to Hog Wash Trail. This section of riding is gloriously technical. Requiring some delicate riding to pass along its exposed narrow ledges and high consequence turbo climbs over slickrock and armored bridges. While fun and even playful at times, the HOGS area demands riders to be of expert ability levels, and can be very dangerous if you’re not experienced on rowdy double black diamond terrain.

The next stage of your ride involves circling around the east side Squadron Rock, along elevated shelves of slick rock, to arrive at Twin Buttes Trail. This switchback trail will demand your full attention for some technical uphill pedaling -- through a thick cypress forest and several seemingly improbable inclines. The path soon connects with High on the Hog, for a super technical climb along bulbous slickrock sections with powerful and committing maneuvering required to make it to the top. After reaching the high point of High on the Hog, the trail will involve some more frisky technical downhill riding, and avid tree slaloming to connect with Broken Arrow Trail. 

Broken Arrow will provide some colossal slick rock areas and demands focused technical riding with narrow single track, loose flooring, and challenging powerful ascents up cascading red rock staircases. At Chicken Point, you will reach the end of Broken Arrow, and transition into the committing downhills of Little Horse Trail. While the trail has received a ton of rock armoring over the years, it still feels wild & thrilling along each progressively steeper and higher roll down. At the midpoint of Little Horse Trail, the path opens up to heavenly flow. Providing punchy arroyo crossings, complimented by swooping ascents where momentum saves the day. The end of Little Horse Trail, takes you to a quick link-up of: Bell Rock Pathway, HT Trail, Easy Breezy Trail, Templeton Trail, Hermit Trail, Coconino Trail, and Slim Shady Trail. 

These trails are a mixture of technical washes, gravity defying berms, and cross country pleasure. The arrival at the Slim Shady junction begins the highlight of the ride, and start to a trail unlike any other you’ve likely ever encountered before. The Hiline Trail never gives you a break. It begins with some explosive technical ascents, before leading into an awesomely exposed cliffside path, which seems as improbable as it is beautiful. 

The narrow sections on Hiline offer high consequence exposure and requires very elegant riding to maneuver around the fully-furnished mixture of tree and rock gates. Both of which, commonly strive to "grab" your handlebars and/or shoulders, if you’re not positioned properly. Add to that, the large baby heads, finned rocks, and mini boulders in the middle of the exposed path -- and you can see why it’s appropriately named “The HiLine Trail.” After safely navigating through the plethora of obstacles along the first half of the ride, you will then reach the rides climax. A spectacular overlook of Cathedral Rock, Airport Mesa, Wilson Mountain, Capitol Butte, Bear Mountain, and Scheurman Mountain. 

The next section of the ride will provide arguably the best downhill riding in Arizona, as the trail will fly across large bands of slick rock and scree, with some excellent droppers & roll downs, and a bike park kind of style buried in the trails demeanor. The path crosses several armored washes and maximizes your contact to slickrock en route to The Big Drop. The Chute of Hiline Trail is one of the most committing technical double black diamond features you can do in Sedona, and should only be attempted by expert double black riders. The line requires full commitment and insanely minimal feather braking as the slickrock sections in this area are covered in slippery powder, which can quickly initiate a slide. Even more, the bottom of The Chute buckles quickly at the base; while your speed is still high with a tree scalper waiting to catch you in early celebration. 

After making it safely through this section, you will descend several cascading slickrock staircases and armored droppers, to arrive at the more sporty flow sections of the ride leading into Baldwin Trail. A few surprise technical uphill sections and chossy downhills, will then lead way to a mellow finish on flowy terrain with great views. This mixture of committing technical riding with several double black diamond sections, creates and incredible adventure riding experience. While this ride is certainly not for everyone, for those who are ready and experienced enough, it will likely become the greatest ride of their life.   

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

One Sliced Organic Fruit

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: 3 Hours of Biking & 1 Hour of Logistics
• Distance: 11 Miles
• Type of Tour: Private Only
• Capacity: 1 - 14 Riders
• Difficulty: Expert
• Transport: 1 Vehicle
• Type of Ride: Enduro Ride / One-Way Ride / Technical Ride / Black Diamond Ride 
• Trails Used: Mystic Trail, Pig Tail Trail, Hog Wash Trail, Twin Buttes Trail, Broken Arrow Trail, Little Horse Trail, HT Trail, Easy Breezy Trail, Hermit Trail, Coconino Trail, Hiline Trail, Baldwin Trail
• Map of Ride Location: Southern Sedona
• Best Season: All Year
• Start Times: 9AM, 9:30AM, 10AM, 10:30AM, 11AM, 11:30AM, 12PM
• Upcoming Availabilities: Three Hour: MTB Heaven Traverse
• Cost: $245 + Tax/Rider (Private Group Calendar) & $375 + 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