BLACK CANYON TRAIL
Nothing much has been going
on in the town of Cordes since about the 1950s. Founded in 1883, the
hamlet was once a busy stage stop serving sheep herders, ranchers,
mail wagons and weary voyagers traveling between Prescott and
Phoenix. Completion of Interstate 17 in the 1970s put the nail in the
coffin as the new freeway pulled traffic off the bumpy dirt roads and
onto smooth pavement. Business shifted west leaving behind a few
hardy families to carry on the Old Arizona lifestyle.
Today, the area is seen
mostly by travelers braving the road trip to Crown King and hikers
setting out to explore the historic trail that runs through it. The
Black Canyon Trail Coalition beckons hikers to "Experience the
Arizona Outback" by stepping out on all or part of the 78-mile
Black Canyon Trail that stretches from north Phoenix to the town of
Mayer.
Hidden Treasure Mine Trailhead |
Bradshaw Mountain views. |
Endless ups and downs |
LENGTH: 10 miles one-way for car
shuttle described here.
Antelope Creek Segment: 5.0 miles
one-way
Drinking Snake Segment: 4.8 miles
one-way
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 2,656' - 4,192'
ACCUMULATED ELEVATION GAIN: 2,713'
GETTING THERE:
Hidden Treasure Mine Trailhead (south):
From Interstate 17, take the Bloody
Basin Road exit 259. Head left (west toward Crown King) on Bloody
Basin (Crown King Road, Forest Road 259) and go 3.3 miles to the stop
sign in the town of Cordes. Turn left onto Antelope Creek Road
(County Road 179), go 2.7 miles and veer left at the Bumble
Bee/Crown King fork. Continue 1.3 miles to a stop sign, turn left and
make an immediate left into the parking area marked by a rusty water
tank and corral. Trail begins by the corral. The dirt road is
washboard rough in spots with hairpin turns and drop offs but is
passable by sedan.
Spring Valley Trailhead (north):
From Interstate 17, take the
Bloody Basin Road exit 259, go 3.3 miles west (Crown King Road,
Forest Road 259) to the ghost town of Cordes, turn right (north) onto
Antelope Creek Road (County Road 74) and continue 3 miles to the
trailhead on the left at Forest Road 9218A. Roads are sedan friendly
dirt/gravel.
INFO: Black Canyon Trail
Coalition
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