RR: Black Canyon, Arizona

[dstepper]

Elevation about 2,500ft so this is a not a summer daytime ride...would be way too hot. Pure desert riding with some pretty good climbs in out out some moderately steep canyons. Trail is very new (few months old) and will need some time, rain, and bike traffic to firm up. It is already pretty fast.

I parked off Table Mesa Rd Trailhead. I only ran into a couple of riders who stated they were professional X-Country riders from El Paso. They rode the lower section of the trail the day before and said that I made the right choice...lower section had seen alot of horse traffic...ridable but loose. When I got to the Y at the loop I rode it counterclock wise. Some pretty good climbs and some moderately steep drops and I ended up down in a river bottom, I think it is the Aqua Fria River. Anyway after much searching, I found the trail on the other side of the river and the trail turned into road...I am sure that it would have turned to single track again but I turned around and climbed back out...did about 15 miles. I was geared 2x1 on the singlespeed and it worked 90% of the time. A little more speed into the whoop de doos..well next time.

This is a good trail if you are in the area, when the trail system is done will be great because of the epic miles. The area is too close to PHX and is surounded by OTV Trails.

Like many trails in Arizona; if it bothers you to stop and open and close gates, share trails with horses, or if the sound of gunfire gets to you stay in Cali. Fully-automatic gun fire is very common, and today it seems like everyone must have gotten a gun for X-Mas.

Nearest City Rock Springs, AZ. Trailhead is maybe 4 miles off Highway 17 maybe halfway between Phoenix and Prescott.

Dean

[Pain Freak]

Looks like some good riding there. Sure wish I was there.

[CalEpic]

Nice pics and report D. I hope to check that area out this spring or possibly next week but that's looking less likely. Are you aware of any maps of the area?

C

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by CalEpic

Are you aware of any maps of the area?

C

I did not take my GPS...I should have. There are so many roads in that area in is tough to find your way around...I surprized myself by finding the trailhead. I used this site to get general info. Their map needs to more detailed and bigger. The trail is to new to be on any of the USGS maps.