Arizona: New Big Bank Trail

The opening of a new multi-use trail near Flagstaff marks a new wave of progress in the Mount Elden/Dry Lake Hills (MEDL) trail project, a Coconino National Forest initiative aimed at improving the sustainability of recreation in the area.

The new trail, named “Big Bang,” climbs 4.4 miles and 1,269 feet from its connection with trail networks at the “Y” of Schultz Pass Road and Elden Lookout Road. It tops out at the zenith of Dry Lake Hills, where it offers an overlook of the area.

The trail is the first of many proposed improvements in the area and was completed through collaboration between the Forest Service, American Conservation Experience, Flagstaff Biking Organization (FBO) and local volunteers.

The MEDL project has been “in the back of everyone’s head” for a long time, said Coconino National Forest trails and OHV coordinator Forrest Saville. For a while, the project had all been happening behind the scenes. But with the conclusion of environmental studies, cultural studies and public outreach earlier this year, “that gave us the green light to go and start building,” he said.

The new 4.4 mile Big Bang trail has various levels of difficulty during the entire length of the route. Based on riding the trail in the uphill direction the difficulty rating would be as follows: Beginner-19%, Intermediate- 52%, Advanced27% and Expert- 2%. Pay attention for two-way traffic on this trail.

From bottom to top, you start by going through Ponderosa Pine forests, slowly wrapping your way around the hill above Schultz Creek. You then make a turn about a mile and a half in to head eastwards. There are a few steeper sections in here but climbable for those with solid fitness without stopping. You then traverse the south face of the Dry Lake Hills through a mix of conifer, oak, and juniper forest. The trail is hardest difficulty wise through here with some minor rock gardens but does not exceed a harder blue/intermediate rating. After the traverse, you finish by going through flat sections at the top of the hill, lined with conifer until you finish in the Museum Fire burn scar at the Ginger Trail area. This trail, built by the US Forest