Great Places to Ride: Black Canyon Trail
Somewhere between Flagstaff and Phoenix lies the Black Canyon Trail, a great mountain bike route that no one has ever heard about. It’s the kind of experience that is definitely more adventure than ride.
Giant Saguaro forests and dramatic river views dominate the landscape as you pedal on a north/south axis, paralleling the Bradshaw Mountains. If you time it right for a spring ride, you will definitely be rewarded with amazing displays of desert wildflowers.
Originally designated as a four-wheel drive route, the singletrack version of the BCT has been developed for the non-motorized crowd in the last few years. Through an amazing grassroots effort, the local and regional communities, along with the BLM have created a project that’s taken on a life of its own. Recently, The Black Canyon Trail Coalition (the driving force behind the massive trailbuilding effort) worked with the BLM to secure enough money ($400,000+) to construct the remaining 35 miles of trail in the next two years.
With more than 40+ miles of exceptional singletrack already built, the BCT ranks right up there with any and all of the epic trail destinations. It’s the kind of place that every mountain biker should add to their ‘list.’
The 411:
Distance: 40+ miles with 35 miles to be built
Ride Time: Multiple Days
Trailheads: Carefree Hwy, Emery Henderson, Table Mesa, Black Canyon City
Starting Point: North of Phoenix on the Carefree Highway (Hwy 74)
(Current) Ending Point: A few miles northwest of the Bumble Bee exit off of Interstate 17. The trail will eventually end 8 miles north of Mayer.
Special Considerations:
Water – the BCT travels through the Sonoran Desert. Be sure to take more water than you think you need.
River Crossings – check the USGS website for information regarding water levels. The BCT makes multiple crossing of the Black Canyon and the Agua Fria.
Additional Information:
Black Canyon Trail Coalition
IMBA – Mapping the Black Canyon Trail http://www.imba.com/resources/maps/mapping_black_canyon.html
Photos from the Black Canyon Trail:
