Skull Valley

Development Route / Prescott, Arizona / Published: Nov 2019 / Directions

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Note: The starting location at Skull Valley 1916 General Store is permanently closed.

Route:

Lollipop | 38 mi

Gain:

4,900 ft

Surface:

75% gravel, 25% single track

Technical Difficulty:

Very Demanding

Navigation:

Straightforward

Locale:

Rural

Tire Suggestion:

40 mm

Options:

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Dust off that polka dot jersey because you are going to need those climbing legs for this one. The route starts in Skull Valley so that you can get that first big climb out of the way …. and so you won’t wuss out and skip it altogether. Besides the climb, this ride takes you on some highly scenic gravel roads and includes a “groovy” paved downhill and a water stop in Prescott, what a bonus.

Caution, this is a Development Route. It has not been fully vetted or ridden by the Dirty Freehub Team. Go prepared and expect a bit more adventure. Any feedback you have would be much appreciated. You can leave it below in the comments block.

Map

Brown = gravel / dirt road

Blue = single track

Red = paved road

Purple = paved bike path

GPX Download Version 0.1

Ride Details

Terrain & Riding

The ride starts out brutal. A big, first climb of 2900 feet in 11+ miles with short pitches in excess of 10%, maybe 15%. The total climbing for the day is in excess of 4900 feet in 38 miles.

At ~ mile 20 you “kick into” Prescott for a coffee to refuel. (We recommend the Wild Iris coffee shop on south Granite Street.) The second half still has a lot of climbing but not as brutal as the front half; study that elevation profile so you aren’t shocked.

The Start

Lat / Long: 34.503994, -112.685763

At the old Skull Valley General Store on Iron Springs Road.

Food & Water

~ Mile 20: Wild Iris Coffee Shop

Notes & Options

Route Notes

This is a 5 Star route, we just haven’t had the time to fully document the route yet!

Route Options

This ride could also be done from Prescott as a loop with dogleg, but we believe it rides much better by making the drive to Skull Valley and starting there.

Comments

Have you ridden this route? Got a question? Join the discussion!

Help Make this Guide Better!

At Dirty Freehub, we believe the best routes are organic and driven by the riding community. This route and guide are a work in progress, and we need your help to make it great!.

Provide us with route feedback, both good and bad.

Let us know about points of interest and viewpoints,
Submit pictures and videos,
Suggest a best time to ride,
Let us know about a better or alternative option,
And tell us about your favorite place to go after the ride for a burger and beer.

Submit your feedback via the comments block (tab just above map).

Ridden and Reviewed by:

KevinE / Team Dirty Freehub

He should have “Never Stop Exploring” tattooed on his chest! He loves adventures on bikes and is a Co-Founder of Dirty Freehub.

LindaE (aka Gravel Girl) / Team Dirty Freehub

She loves a good day of gravel, like most people like a good book. She’s always amused by the outdoors and the wild adventures. Gravel Girl is a Co-Founder of Dirty Freehub.

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