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BLACK CANYON NATIONAL RECREATION TRAIL: LITTLE GRAND CANYON SEGMENT
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| Agua Fria River pools against cliffs on the Black Canyon Trail |
Tucked in the hilly back county between Interstate 17 and the feeder gullies of the Agua Fria River, the Little Grand Canyon segment of the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail, offers easy access to a remote-feeling hike escape.
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| Big views on the Little Grand Canyon segment of the BCT |
The 1.4-mile slice of the 80+-mile route that runs between the Carefree Highway in north Phoenix to the fringes of Prescott National Forest near the town of Mayer, showcases a rugged water-ravaged landscape entrenched by mountains, mesas, washes and mineral-rich foothills just over 30 miles north of downtown Phoenix.
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| A gate frames mesa views on the Black Canyon Trail |
Named more for the presence of the Little Grand Canyon Ranch on the banks of the Agua Fria, rather than for its resemblance of the real geological deal to the state’s north, the segment delivers a pleasing rotation of eye-popping vistas served up by way of edge-hugging switchbacks and slinky single tracks.
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| Indian Mesa (center-left) near Lake Pleasant |
Hikers should be aware that the area is also a popular draw for recreational shooting and OHV use. Hikers can expect to hear a constant the pop-pop of rifles and the rev of quad engines during the first half-mile of the hike.
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| New River Mountains viewed from LGC segment |
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| Ironwoods and saguaros near the Little Pan junction |
The trail itself is open only to foot, horse and non-electric bike travel, so the noise is soon absorbed in stony clefts and acres of pristine desert. To find the route from the trailhead, follow the short access path to a “T” intersection, go right and hike past a chain of RV campsites. The trail is well-signed throughout.
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| Christmas cactus sprout red fruit in winter |
Right from the start, mountain views command attention. To the southwest, the distinctive slanted flattop of Indian Mesa stands among stone sentinels at the remote upper finger coves of Lake Pleasant. As the trail makes an easy descent along a narrow trail cut from buff-colored,
compacted volcanic ash, scaly metamorphic shelves and quartz outcroppings, views of the Bradshaw Mountains to the north peek out over vivid green foothills covered in paloverde trees, creosote, cholla and massive squads of tall saguaros.
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| Trail passes by interesting geological formations |
At the 1.1-mile point, the trail crosses a major wash with scoured caves and quartz-laced boulders polished smooth by years of rushing water. To stay on track at this and all wash and drainage crossings on the hike, be sure to locate the trail signs placed on the opposite side before trudging forward.
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| Bradshaw Mountains peek over foothills and saguaros |
The route then passes a rustic gate and the unnamed junction for the Little Pan loop segment before making a dive into the wide flood plains and chiseled channels of the Agua Fria River.
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| Approach to the Agua Fria River on the Williams Mesa segment |
At this point, the trail enters its Williams Mesa segment, heading downhill on a loose-rock cliff face to meet a forest of willow and mesquite trees at the river’s edge. The sandy waterway is strewn with haphazard deposits of rocks, pebbles and flood debris.
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| Signs guide trail users through the Agua Fria flood plains |
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| Water in the Agua Fria River pools below the trail |
Water lingers in pools below sheer cliffs and in glassy rivulets flush with spent cottonwood leaves.
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| Watch for signs where the trail crosses washes and the river |
The route crosses the broad desert stream and picks up where a few trail signs cling precariously to a sheer rock face where the path heads directly up and on for another 3 miles to where it connects with the Cheap Shop segment near the Little Pan staging area on Azco Mine Road.
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| Williams Mesa segment climbs cliffs over the river |
The river makes for a nice turnaround point for a 4.2-mile trek. Consult the Black Canyon Trail maps for ways to build a loop or longer-distance hike in this gorgeous pocket of foothills that’s not too far from civilization.
LENGTH: 4.2 miles round trip as described here
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 1,699 – 1,939 feet
GETTING THERE:
Table Mesa Trailhead.
From Interstate 17, 36 miles north of Phoenix, take the Table Mesa Road exit 236. At the end of the off ramp, turn left, go a few yards and then veer right onto Frontage Road (the unsigned west end of Table Mesa Road). Continue to the large “Table Mesa West” sign, turn left and continue to the Table Mesa trailhead at kiosk No. 5 on the right, 3.1 miles from I-17. Roads are maintained dirt/gravel, suitable for all vehicles.
INFO: Black Canyon Trail Coalition
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