Owais Crawford
The Black Canyon Trail (BCT) from Cordes to Big Bug Creek is a popular hiking trail that passes through juniper-dotted grassland and offers views of Black Canyon and the Bradshaw Mountains. The trailhead for this segment can be accessed from Phoenix by heading north on I-17 to Exit 262 and then taking AZ-69 west. However, it's important to note that there may be private property restrictions along the trail, as some portions are gated with keypad access. The BCT-Big Bug Parking Loop, a 650-foot dirt and gravel road, can be used as a starting point for this trail.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Black Canyon City, Arizona |
| Distance | 650 ft |
| Trail Type | Multi-use dirt/gravel road trail |
| Direction | Bidirectional |
| Average Time | 1 minute |
| Terrain | Rolling, juniper-dotted grassland |
| Notable Features | Ragged old corral with views of Black Canyon and the Bradshaw Mountains |
| Difficulty | Optimized for mountain bikes |
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What You'll Learn
The Black Canyon Trail (BCT)
The BCT: Cordes to Big Bug Creek segment begins by heading east on Antelope Creek Road for a quarter of a mile until it intersects with the Black Canyon Trail. Turning left onto an unnumbered jeep trail, one can take in the rugged beauty of the old corral and the surrounding landscape. This section of the trail also provides ample opportunities for photography, with the first couple of miles offering picturesque views of the desert flora, including redstem stork's bill, desert globemallow, and strawberry hedgehog.
As the trail continues north from Dripping Spring corral, hikers will encounter the only notable climb of this segment, ascending 200 feet in a mile. After the climb, the BCT descends gently through a valley reminiscent of California's landscapes, dotted with juniper trees that provide welcome shade for resting hikers. Antelope Creek, the halfway point of the Cordes to Mayer BCT segment, is a serene spot to relax and take in the natural surroundings.
Beyond Antelope Creek, the Black Canyon Trail transforms into a jeep trail for approximately two-thirds of a mile before crossing Antelope Creek Road. Here, hikers will once again be immersed in the tranquility of the singletrack trail for the final two and a half miles to the Big Bug Trailhead. The last segment of the trail switchbacks along the contour line of a hill, offering panoramic views of Spring Valley.
The BCT-Big Bug Parking Loop, located near Black Canyon City, Arizona, provides a convenient access point to the trail. This 650-foot dirt and gravel road trail is suitable for multiple uses and can be enjoyed in both directions. The entire BCT from Cordes to AZ-69 traverses juniper-dotted grassland, making it an ideal choice for hikers and mountain bikers seeking a challenging yet rewarding outdoor experience.
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Private property access
One notable instance of private property access along the trail is the X Lazy B ranch, registered to Halle Ranch, formerly owned by Bruce Halle. This private property is located approximately two miles before reaching the BCT and is gated with a keypad passcode. To continue on the trail, hikers must respect this boundary and not trespass onto private land.
The BCT Cordes to Big Bug Creek trail passes through a diverse landscape of rolling, juniper-dotted grassland. It offers a relatively easy climb of 200 ft. in a mile north from Dripping Spring corral. After the climb, hikers are rewarded with a descent through a picturesque valley towards Antelope Creek. This section of the trail showcases the beauty of nature, providing shade and a peaceful atmosphere.
As hikers continue along the trail, they will encounter a mix of single-track paths and jeep trails. The Black Canyon Trail turns onto a jeep trail for approximately two-thirds of a mile after crossing Antelope Creek Road. It then returns to single-track for the final 2.5 miles leading to the Big Bug Trailhead. This section of the trail showcases the versatility of the BCT, catering to both hikers and mountain bikers.
The Big Bug Trailhead serves as a convenient resting point for hikers, with facilities available. From there, hikers can continue their journey, exploring the surrounding areas and enjoying the natural beauty that the trail has to offer. It's important to respect private property boundaries throughout the entire trail to ensure a positive hiking experience and maintain a good relationship with the local community.
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Views of Black Canyon
The Black Canyon Trail (BCT) from Cordes to Big Bug Creek offers stunning views of the Black Canyon and the Bradshaw Mountains. The trail begins by backtracking east on Antelope Creek Road, where it is crossed by the BCT. Turning left onto a jeep trail, hikers are treated to expansive vistas of the canyon and the mountain range just a third of a mile north. The trail then descends into a valley, providing a respite from the climb, before rising again out of the creek bed through a field of dry New Mexico thistle.
The BCT continues to offer glimpses of Black Canyon as it winds its way through juniper-dotted grassland. The trail is particularly popular with mountain bikers, with much of the trail optimized for their use. The final stretch to the Big Bug Trailhead showcases the beauty of Spring Valley, with the trail paralleling Big Bug Creek and AZ-69.
The BCT-Big Bug Parking Loop, located near Black Canyon City, Arizona, offers a short 650-foot dirt and gravel road trail that can be enjoyed by hikers and bikers alike. This trail provides convenient access to the BCT and the stunning views that it offers of Black Canyon.
For those seeking a longer journey, the Cordes to Mayer BCT segment offers a rewarding experience. This segment includes a challenging climb of 200 feet in a mile north from Dripping Spring corral, followed by a descent through a picturesque valley to Antelope Creek. Antelope Creek serves as the halfway point, after which the trail turns onto a jeep trail for two-thirds of a mile before returning to singletrack for the final stretch to the Big Bug Trailhead.
The Black Canyon Trail, with its diverse landscapes and vistas, provides a unique and captivating hiking experience. The views of Black Canyon, in particular, showcase the beauty of Arizona's natural wonders.
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Wildlife on the trail
The Black Canyon Trail (BCT) from Cordes to Big Bug Creek is known as the kingsnake's home den. The trail starts by backtracking east on Antelope Creek Road, which is crossed by the BCT. A third of a mile north on the BCT, a ragged old corral offers great views of Black Canyon and the Bradshaw Mountains. The trail then descends into a valley, which one hiker likened to California. The valley is filled with juniper trees, providing ample shade for a break. Antelope Creek is the halfway point of the Cordes to Mayer BCT segment.
As the trail rises out of the creek bed, it passes through a dense field of dry, brown, fallow New Mexico thistle, which would be a spectacular sight if the thistle were blooming. Half a mile from Antelope Creek, the BCT turns onto a jeep trail for the next two-thirds of a mile to Antelope Creek Road. The BCT then returns to a single track for the final two and a half miles to the Big Bug Trailhead. The final mile and three-quarters to the Big Bug Trailhead features switchbacks on the contour line of a hill overlooking Spring Valley. This part of the trail is optimized for mountain bikes and parallels Big Bug Creek and AZ-69.
The BCT-Big Bug Parking Loop is a 650-foot multi-use dirt and gravel road trail located near Black Canyon City, Arizona. This trail can be used in both directions and typically takes one minute to complete.
While the BCT from Cordes to Big Bug Creek is known for being the kingsnake's home den, hikers have also spotted various plant species along the trail, including redstem stork's bill, desert globemallow, strawberry hedgehog, desert woollystar, rough menodora, and silverleaf nightshade.
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Mountain biking on the BCT
The Black Canyon Trail (BCT) from Cordes to Big Bug Creek is a great route for mountain biking. The trail passes through rolling, juniper-dotted grassland, with the only notable climb being a 200-foot ascent in a mile, north from Dripping Spring corral. After this, the BCT descends through a picturesque little valley to Antelope Creek, which offers a welcome break in the shade of junipers.
The halfway point of the trail is marked by Antelope Creek, after which the trail turns onto a jeep trail for about two-thirds of a mile before crossing Antelope Creek Road. Here, the BCT returns to singletrack for the final 2.5 miles to Big Bug Trailhead, with the last 1.75 miles consisting of switchbacks on the contour line of a hill overlooking Spring Valley. This section of the trail runs parallel to Big Bug Creek and AZ-69.
The BCT: Cordes to Big Bug Creek segment begins by heading east on Antelope Creek Road for a quarter of a mile until it intersects with the Black Canyon Trail. A turn onto this trail offers great views of Black Canyon and the Bradshaw Mountains a third of a mile north. The trail is also known for its wildflowers, including redstem stork's bill, desert globemallow, strawberry hedgehog, desert woollystar, rough menodora, and silverleaf nightshade.
The BCT-Big Bug Parking Loop is a 650-foot dirt and gravel road trail near Black Canyon City, Arizona, that can be used in both directions. This multi-use trail is a convenient spot for parking and accessing the BCT.
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Frequently asked questions
The BCT Cordes to Big Bug Creek trail passes through rolling, juniper-dotted grassland. The trail is optimized for mountain bikes and offers views of Black Canyon and the Bradshaw Mountains.
From Phoenix, head north on I-17 to Exit 262. Take the left exit lane, which becomes AZ-69.
The BCT Big Bug Parking Loop is a 650 ft multi-use dirt/gravel road trail located near Black Canyon City, Arizona.
