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Mescal

Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.7 (88)
  1. Areas
  2. AZ
  3. …Flagstaff and Northern AZ
  4. Sedona
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“Excellent, scenic, rideable slickrock singletrack. ”

Leslie Kehmeier
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2.4

Miles

3.9

KM
Singletrack

4,710' 1,436 m

High

4,520' 1,378 m

Low

206' 63 m

Up

166' 51 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

11%

Max Grade (6°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Description

The southeast end of Mescal is accessed from the Long Canyon trailhead. Youll be cranking on the pedals right away to get up the initial climb. Its short, rocky and quickly transitions back to rolling trail.

The trail tops out and then travels toward Mescal Mountain, a gigantic red sandstone butte. The meat of the route is a traverse on the southern side along a long continuous slickrock ledge.

After some fun and flowy red dirt trail, there's one big push onto the first section of slickrock. Its a little off camber so some will have to dismount and push up. Once on the sandstone surface youll pedal along a fairly level elevation, occasionally going up down or around short sections of steps or boulders.

There are two optional splits that cover the first and second third of the route. Difficult is the easier line while Expert is for very experienced riders who are comfortable with off-camber and exposed moves.

As Mescal rounds the butte on the west end, the view becomes breathtaking into Boynton Canyon. Take in the scenery before a somewhat rowdy quick descent to the end of the trail. Turn right here to access Deadmans Pass or bear left to connect to Aerie.

Contacts

Local Club: Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition

Land Manager: USFS - Coconino National Forest Office

Shared By:

Leslie Kehmeier
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 88 votes

#1

in Sedona

#23

Overall
  4.7 from 88 votes
5 Star
75%
4 Star
18%
3 Star
6%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
1%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Sedona

#1

in Arizona

#23

Overall
78 Views Last Month
18,620 Since Feb 24, 2014
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
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Photos

Dropping off the second 'extreme' option on Mescal.
Feb 24, 2014 near West Se…, AZ
Although there are some sketchy sections, most of the trail is rideable by intermediate riders.
Nov 1, 2016 near West Se…, AZ
The slickrock singletrack is endless on Mescal
Feb 24, 2014 near West Se…, AZ
Mescal Trail approaching its namesake butte.
Feb 24, 2014 near West Se…, AZ
With such amazing surroundings, it's difficult to keep your eyes on the trail - but make sure that you do, even a minor spill could leave you full of cactus needles!
Sep 4, 2015 near West Se…, AZ
The far end of Mescal looking up Boynton Canyon.
Feb 24, 2014 near West Se…, AZ

3 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 46 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jun 26, 2024
Melanie Taylor
Jun 15, 2024
Kenneth Yefko
Dec 31, 2023
Hiko Muhic
May 4, 2023
Mountain Park
2mi — 0h 40m
Mar 31, 2023
Bo Ryan
Great singletrack. Some hikers but not terrible. Fast when it's dry. Fairly technical. 5 star scenery. — 1h 45m
Aug 25, 2021
Mountain Gold
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP0_ndJHMtY
Jun 20, 2021
Drew Weller
Link up after chuckwagon
May 14, 2021
Christopher Cordle
A wrong turn from Adobe Jack lead us here

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