Feb 2020
The Black Canyon Trail, known as the BCT. We had a nice loop planned leaving out of Black Canyon City with one leg looping through the old mining town of Cleator.
Sour Gummies were the preferred power food, at least by Joannie and
water generously provided by abundant cattle troughs as well as a refill
at Bumblebee Ranch. We randomly bumped into a friend from my climbing
days out on the trail. It is indeed a small world. With a big storm rolling in we cut one full day off our route which sadly, cut the Cleator loop out. We still spent 3 days, 2 nights in the beautiful Arizona desert on a mellow bike ride. As usual no epics, which meant we were doing it right.
Some findings:
The route does not feel remote as you are relatively close to I17.
Joannie's discovery of the difficulty level of riding singletrack fully loaded. (see video)
Our mutual discovery of the various spiny flora, dubbing the ride "the no fall zone"
Water was readily available from both creeks and cattle troughs - Should not need to be mentioned, but filter first.
Spiny Flora
Climbing up Maggie Mine rd. from Black Canyon City
Bumble Bee Ranch
A little maintenance
First camp
Water available at Hidden Treasure Mine trailhead
Hard to believe we ran into Jack McBroom and his friend out there.
Camp 2
Topping the last climb before crusing back down into Black Canyon City
