Day 8: Cottonwood to Flagstaff

May 13, 2023

A few dips and humps at the beginning and end but essentially climbing all day. Mostly false flats and half mile steps up with one ‘proper’ climb at the end.

First 15 miles crept upwards over that scrubland that I like. The cliffs in the distance gradually got closer and started to take some shape. As we approached Sedona the red rocks became clear.

Another emotional response for me. The photos give a sense of the scape, but not the scale. The coffee place had a lookout and some good views. I think this style of landscape will be familiar from movies, but you have to be there.

After coffee we cycled along the Oak Creek canyon with pine trees and the rocks towering either side of the road. For 13 miles we went up with little steps interspersed with flatter sections for a rest.

At 32 miles we approach the cliffs and turned left to traverse them. Switchbacks took us up two miles to the SAG where there were lookouts back the way we’d come.

The next ten miles bobbled up and down to Flagstaff. Humphrey’s Mountain is 40 miles nearer and bigger now.

Got here at about 12.30 so had a nice second breakfast of eggs and spinach. Stephanie and Jill joined me about 15 minutes later.

Best meal of the trip tonight with Spencer, Chad, Linda and Barbara. S, C & I shared a 5lb tomahawk