They call it the Big Bang Trail, a nod to Flagstaff’s astronomical interests. It fits, too, because the 4.4-mile trail itself is, as the slang goes, a banger. It’s hilly. It’s curvy. It’s hard, but not excessively so. What’s not to like?
Big Bang also is one of the area’s newest additions to the robust trail system, especially in the Dry Lake Hills area where this gem is located. We can thank the U.S. Forest Service, the Flagstaff Biking Organization and the American Conservation Experience for giving us not only Big Bang, but other dark-sky-named trails as part of the Mount Elden/Dry Lake Hills (MEDL) project.
In this week’s trail feature, we not only plan to traverse the entirety of the Big Bang, which starts at the Schultz Creek Trailhead (the “Y”) and wends its way up, up, up to its terminus with the Brookbank Trail at the height of Dry Lake, but we’ll provide a shorter, but still challenging, route..
There are many options for runners on the upgraded MEDL system and really only one reserved strictly for mountain bikers (the uber-steep Meteoride Trail that, frankly, looks scary). We’re going to feature a short (5.4 miles) and long (10.7 miles) options, but really you can mix-and-match trails and even, if you dare, link up all the way to either Mount Elden or the San Francisco Peaks.
First, the 10.7-mile option, which essentially encompasses all of Big Bang and then swings around in a twisty loop to get you back to the Schultz Creek “Y” without being too taxed.
To get to the good stuff, Big Bang, you must first lope along the realigned path leading from the trailhead to the first part of the Schultz Creek Trail. Consider that a nice, easy warmup for the climbing to come.
Once you make the right turn onto the Rocky Ridge Trail, the climbing and technical running begins. You actually only stay of Rocky Ridge for two-tenths of a mile – oh, don’t worry, you’ll get your fill of Rocky Ridge on the way back – before making a left turn on Big Bang.
Now, the fun begins. It’s a steady climb, though the many curves and switchbacks dampen down the steepness a bit. The going is technical, meaning rocks and some roots, but it seems the trail builders took some pity on people and removed a lot of the obstacles in the path.
In most parts of Big Bang, there are steep drop-offs, but nothing about which to be concerned. The trail is wide enough that you’d have to be either reckless or really inattentive to go careening down into the abyss.
On the 4-plus mile Big Bang ascent, you are treated to a sampling of the Colorado Plateau’s famous foliage. I particularly liked the alligator juniper trees shading the singletrack; you just want to reach out and satisfy your tactile urges by patting the scaly bark. Ponderosa pines, of course, stand stately throughout and, higher, some aspens that haven’t yet changed hues.
Along the way on Big Bang, you’ll pass several Dark Sky-named trails that offer diversions (Space Walk, Dipper, Pluto, Apollo, etc.), but on this run we’re staying on Big Bang start to finish. The views at higher elevation make this a must-do for non-Flagstaffians wanting to experience sweeping vistas on their trip without having to climb up Humphreys or Elden to get it.
In the fourth mile, near the end of Big Bang, you can see down below the entirety of greater Flagstaff, with the Walkup Sky Dome looking no bigger than a golf ball.
You also start seeing, near Big Bang’s climax, burnt trees and charred remains from the Museum Fire in 2019, but the devastation and regrowth are more evident once you make the right-hand turn (east) onto the Brookbank Trail.
The next 2.5 miles are spent on Brookbank, which snakes along the ridgeline before descending toward Mount Elden Lookout Road. About a mile into this segment of Brookbank, you pass a large sign at a junction alerting you that the trail on right heading downhill is Meteoride, one-way and meant only for mountain bikers. I had a hard time even discerning a trail through the brush, fand I’m sure mountain bikers like it that way.
Just Before hitting Elden Lookout Road, make a right on the Oldham Trail (some maps call it Middle Oldham, but the trail sign does not). That’s a connector to Rocky Ridge, which completes the loop and leads you back to Schultz Creek.
Rocky Ridge is aptly named. Not the first part after leaving Oldham. That’s fairly smooth and flat for 0.8 of a mile. It’s the next 2.2 miles on Rocky Rodge that aren’t too pleasant. The reason: rocks. But what did you expect; it’s called Rocky Ridge.
Those who want a short run that still includes much of Big Bang – OK, about half – might like a relatively mellow 5.3-mile loop. You start in the same manner as the longer run and, as you pass the junction on the left with the Afterglow Trail, make note, because you’ll be turning there on your way back.
For now, though, stay on Big Bang until about the 1.7-mile mark and turn right, uphill, to the Space Walk Trail. Space Walk is a fun, moderate trail that heads south, making you feel like you’re heading back where you started, but it eventually resumes climbing and connects a little farther up the Big Bang Trail.
It is here you turn left on Big Bang and retrace your steps to the Afterglow Trail, a mostly mellow lope for about a half-mile that leads to Schultz Creek. From there, it’s about 1.3 miles back to the trailhead.
Big Bang Loops in the Dry Lake Hills (10.7 or 5.4 Miles)
Driving Directions: From Flagstaff, take Fort Valley Road (Highway 180) to Schultz Pass Road. Turn right and park at the trailhead at the junction of Schultz Pass and Mount Elden Lookout Road.
Routes: For the 10.7-mile course, Start from the parking lot on the path heading toward the Schultz Creek Trail. Turn right at the Rocky Ridge junction, then left onto the Big Bang Trail. Take Big Bang until it ends at the junction with the Brookbank Trail. Turn right (east) and take Brookbank 2.5 miles to the Oldham Trail connector. Continue on the Rocky Ridge Trail slightly less than three miles back to the trailhead. For the 5.4 course, start the same way and then follow Big Bang to the first junction with the Space Walk Trail. Veer slightly right and take Space Walk as it curves around and reconnects farther up with Big Bang, where you’ll turn left and follow the trail back to the Afterglow Trail. Take Afterglow to Schultz Creek, and turn left to head back to the trailhead.
Elevation gains: 1,660 feet (10.7 miles); 732 (5.4 miles)
BIG BANG LOOP LONG
BIG BANG LOOP SHORT
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