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Black Canyon Trail
Dates Available
- Feb 25, 2013 - Mar 1, 2013
- Mar 4, 2013 - Mar 8, 2013
- Mar 11, 2013 - Mar 15, 2013
- Mar 18, 2013 - Mar 22, 2013
- Mar 25, 2013 - Mar 29, 2013
- Oct 21, 2013 - Oct 25, 2013
- Oct 28, 2013 - Nov 1, 2013
- Nov 4, 2013 - Nov 8, 2013
A world-class trail system in the Bradshaw Mountain foothills of central Arizona, the Black Canyon Trail is the future of multi-use long distance trails. Arizona’s BCT is several decades in the making but has recently been stretched out to nearly 80 miles of flowy purpose-built singletrack that just begs for a multi day trip. The Black Canyon Trail was designated as a National Recreation Trail in June 2008. This is a very prestigious honor, as only the best trails in the country are eligible for this classification.
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Black Canyon Trail Itinerary
If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to call us at 1-800-845-2453 or email biking@westernspirit.com.
MEETING TIME AND PLACE
This trip will meet at 8:30am MST at Sleep Inn Phoenix Airport Hotel - Phoenix, AZ 2621 S. 47th Place, Phoenix, AZ 85034 Phone: 480-967-7100 Fax: 480-921-7400 www.airportsleepinn.com
ENDING TIME AND PLACE
We will return to Phoenix and the Sleep Inn the last day between 4 and 5pm.
ITINERARY
TRIP DAY 1
We begin our week with a shuttle from our Phoenix meeting point over to McDowell Mountain Regional Park. The park offers over 40 miles of mountain biking trails where we can ease into our week, test our skills a bit and warm up before we tackle our main event. This is the site of the famous Cactus Cup races of the 90's and continues to be one of the areas most fun places to ride. It's hard to believe this 20000 acre park is just outside of Phoenix. McDowell Mountain Regional Park has amazing majestic mountain views and our time spent here will be memorable. 12-22 total miles
TRIP DAY 2
One of the more famous loops at McDowell is called the Competitive Track. The Long Loop of the track was designed for the average rider but is used by all. The Sport Loop is for intermediate riders and experts. The Technical Loop is for the expert rider. This portion of the track offers swooping turns, very technical descents, rugged terrain, and steep inclines. Each loop offers a variety of obstacles to test the rider's skills. This competitive track is geared for mountain bikers who want to improve their technique, but for us it will just amount to a whole bunch of fun! With lots of options to choose from we can make this day as easy or hard as we like, knowing tomorrow we head off to the Black Canyon Trail. 10-24 total miles
TRIP DAY 3
After a hearty breakfast we'll break camp and shuttle north to the start of the BCT. Our start is just off highway 69 near the town of Mayer in the Prescott National Forest affords us some great views of what to expect as we head toward the Bradshaw Mountains. With a net downhill today, we'll ride south through varying desert terrain in between the tiny towns of Cleator and Cordes and onto out eventual camp among the towering Saguaro cactus near Bumblebee. The trail is so well constructed that no matter what type of mountain bike your riding, you're going to love it. 25 total miles
TRIP DAY 4
As we head "on down the trail" the major geographic features include the deeply incised canyons of the Agua Fria River and the foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains to the West. On today's ride, passes and ridgelines will offer views east to Black Canyon City. Complementing this are the rugged landscapes and many flat topped mesas of Black Canyon. The trail itself continues to be as flowy and fun as yesterday, but with a few more technical challenges thrown in, not to mention a potentially exciting river crossing! 22 total miles
TRIP DAY 5
Our final day on the BCT is really the heart & soul of the trail. Another river crossing, fantastic views and vast Saguaro forests round out the day as we transtition from the rugged terrain of the higher elevation to the rolling hills of the Emery Henderson area. The closer we get to the end the flatter and faster the trail gets-- which makes for a perfect finish. Our trip will end with a shuttle back to Phoenix where we will say our goodbyes. 22 total miles
TERRAIN
This tour contains some difficult riding on technical singletrack trails and a small amount of jeep roads. We will be without vehicle support during many sections of the ride. Itineraries are subject to change due to weather, road conditions, rider safety, and other factors which may affect the logistics of the adventures.
RIDING SURFACE- Mostly singletrack. Includes packed sediment, some rocky and sandy sections and smooth dirt sections.
OVERALL RATING- Intermediate/Advanced
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY- Intermediate - Rocky, loose and sometimes steep singletrack, Some moderate exposure.
PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY- Advanced - Steep climbs, longer days and technical sections make this ride a challenging one.
ALTITUDE- 1,000 - 4,000 feet.
TRAVEL LOGISTICS
Sleep Inn Phoenix Airport Hotel - Phoenix, AZ
2621 S. 47th Place, Phoenix, AZ 85034
Phone: 480-967-7100 Fax: 480-921-7400
www.airportsleepinn.com
Holiday Inn Express
3401 E. University Drive & I-10
Phone: 602-453-9900 Fax: 602-453-0090
The Clarendon Hotel
401 W Clarendon Ave
www.theclarendon.net/index.html
SHIP YOUR BIKE TO
Slippery Pig Bike Shop
4412 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85012
602-263-5143
GETTING TO PHOENIX
Phoenix, AZ is truly a diamond in the rough. Its active nightlife and beautiful scenery make for the sixth largest city in the nation to be a top choice for any one's vacation! Cheap flights to Phoenix are quite often abundant from most any city.