Roberta Aguirre
The Black Canyon Trail (BCT) Drinking Snake segment is a mix of single and double track trails that can be accessed from Highway 69. The trailhead is located just east of Mayer Fire Station/Old Sycamore Road on the south side of the highway. From the trailhead, you can head south towards the Drinking Snake trail or north under Highway 69 to access the Big Bug and Russian Well segments of the BCT. While the exact location of Cordes Airport Road is unclear, the BCT passes through the ghost town of Cordes and continues to Big Bug Creek, with the final 1.75 miles to the Big Bug Trailhead featuring switchbacks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Mix of single and double track, gravel road, scenic dirt roads, mountain biking trail |
| Trail Difficulty | Caution advised when riding while snakes are active |
| Trail Amenities | Ample parking, restroom |
| Trail Scenery | Relatively mundane, rolling juniper-dotted grassland, views of Black Canyon and Bradshaw Mountains, dense field of dry brown fallow New Mexico thistle, panoramic vista of Bradshaw Mountains |
| Trail Accessibility | 2 miles short of the BCT, the road is gated with a keypad passcode |
| Trail Directions | From Phoenix, head north on I-17 to Exit 259, then west on Bloody Basin Rd. for 3 miles to Cordes. Turn left on Antelope Creek Rd. and in 1.25 miles, turn left into the trailhead |
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What You'll Learn
- The BCT Drinking Snake trailhead is located 0.25 miles east of Mayer Fire Station/Old Sycamore Road
- The trail is a mix of single and double track with scenic views of the Bradshaw Mountains
- The trail passes through rolling, juniper-dotted grassland with a 200 ft climb in a mile
- The trail is suitable for mountain biking and hiking, with ample parking and restrooms available at the trailhead
- To get to the trail from Interstate 17, take the Bloody Basin Road exit and turn right on Antelope Creek Road
The BCT Drinking Snake trailhead is located 0.25 miles east of Mayer Fire Station/Old Sycamore Road
The BCT Drinking Snake trail offers a diverse experience, ranging from scenic dirt roads to fun singletracks. It is part of the Black Canyon Trail, a National Recreation Trail that starts in far north Phoenix at the Carefree Highway. The trail has been extended to a total of 96 miles, reaching from Russian Well in Brushy Wash to AZ-169 near the Buckbed Wash landfill in Yavapai County. There are even plans to extend it further, potentially all the way to the Grand Canyon.
The trailhead at Mayer Fire Station/Old Sycamore Road serves as a starting point for two distinct directions of the BCT. Heading south from this trailhead, hikers will embark on the Drinking Snake trail, while going north under Highway 69 will take them on the Big Bug and Russian Well segments. The trailhead provides ample parking and restroom facilities, making it a convenient starting point for exploring the BCT.
The Black Canyon Trail, or BCT, is renowned for its diverse scenery and terrain. The Cordes to Big Bug Creek segment, in particular, showcases rolling juniper-dotted grasslands and stunning views of Black Canyon and the Bradshaw Mountains. The trail also passes through a dense field of dry, brown, fallow New Mexico thistle, which would be a spectacular sight during its blooming season. The BCT is optimized for mountain biking, offering a mix of smooth and rocky sections, making it a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts.
The BCT Drinking Snake trail, accessible from the trailhead 0.25 miles east of Mayer Fire Station/Old Sycamore Road, is a great introduction to the Black Canyon Trail. It offers a varied experience, from the challenge of navigating seasonal variations and snake activity to the enjoyment of diverse landscapes and trail structures. With its convenient trailhead facilities and proximity to other BCT segments, it provides a well-rounded outdoor experience for hikers and mountain bikers alike.
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The trail is a mix of single and double track with scenic views of the Bradshaw Mountains
The BCT Drinking Snake Trail at Black Canyon is a mix of single and double tracks with scenic views of the Bradshaw Mountains. The trail is accessible from Interstate 17, with an exit at Bloody Basin Road. From there, it's a 3.3-mile journey west to the ghost town of Cordes. At Antelope Creek Road, turn left and continue for about 3 miles to the trailhead on the left.
The trail offers a variety of terrain, from gravel roads to scenic dirt roads and fun singletracks. It passes through rolling, juniper-dotted grasslands, with a 200-foot climb in a mile north from Dripping Spring corral. After the climb, the trail descends through a picturesque valley to Antelope Creek, providing stunning views of the Bradshaw Mountains.
The BCT Drinking Snake Trail is a segment of the Black Canyon Trail (BCT), which is a National Recreation Trail starting in far north Phoenix at the Carefree Highway. The BCT has been extended to a total of 96 miles, reaching from Russian Well in Brushy Wash to AZ-169 near the Buckbed Wash landfill in Yavapai County. There are even plans to extend the trail further north, towards the Verde Valley and possibly Williams in northern Arizona.
The Cordes to Big Bug Creek segment of the BCT is particularly noteworthy for its views of the Bradshaw Mountains. About a third of a mile north on the BCT from the trailhead, a ragged old corral offers an excellent vantage point for taking in the scenery of Black Canyon and the Bradshaw Mountains. This segment also showcases the beauty of the desert flora, including redstem stork's bill, desert globemallow, strawberry hedgehog, desert woollystar, rough menodora, and silverleaf nightshade.
The trail is mostly smooth, with some rocky switchbacks and jeep trails. It's important to note that navigation can be tricky depending on the time of year, so keeping an eye out for BCT signs is recommended. The trail also passes through areas where snakes may be active, so caution is advised while riding or hiking during those times. Overall, the BCT Drinking Snake Trail offers a diverse and captivating outdoor experience, with the mix of single and double tracks providing varied perspectives of the stunning Bradshaw Mountains.
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The trail passes through rolling, juniper-dotted grassland with a 200 ft climb in a mile
The Black Canyon Trail (BCT) from Cordes to Big Bug Creek passes through picturesque grassland, dotted with juniper trees. This section of the trail is mostly flat, with the exception of a 200-foot climb in a one-mile stretch, north from Dripping Spring corral. This climb is followed by a descent through a small valley to Antelope Creek, where hikers can take a break in the shade of the junipers. This marks the halfway point of the Cordes to Mayer BCT segment.
The trail then rises out of the creek bed, passing through a field of dry New Mexico thistle. Half a mile from Antelope Creek, the trail turns onto a jeep trail for about two-thirds of a mile, before crossing Antelope Creek Road. Here, the BCT returns to a single track for the final stretch to the Big Bug Trailhead. This part of the trail is known for its beautiful scenery, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the Bradshaw Mountains.
The BCT Drinking Snake segment, in particular, starts from Highway 69 and leads to Antelope Creek Road. This trail features a mix of single and double tracks and offers a varied experience due to its terrain, including rockiness. While the trail provides ample parking and restroom facilities at the trailhead, it is important to exercise caution while traversing it during seasons when snakes are active.
The BCT Drinking Snake trail is part of the larger Black Canyon Trail, which extends from Phoenix to Yavapai County in Arizona. The trail has undergone extensions over time, with plans for further expansion across Arizona's Black Hills and into the Verde Valley, and possibly even to Williams in northern Arizona. The Black Canyon Trail is a National Recreation Trail, offering a range of experiences for hikers and mountain bikers alike.
The Cordes to Big Bug Creek segment of the BCT is a well-known stretch that provides a mix of landscapes, from rolling grasslands to the rugged beauty of the Black Canyon. It is a popular choice for hikers and nature enthusiasts, offering a balance of challenging climbs and serene rest stops in the shade of juniper trees.
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The trail is suitable for mountain biking and hiking, with ample parking and restrooms available at the trailhead
The BCT (Drinking Snake) Trail at Black Canyon is suitable for both mountain biking and hiking. The trailhead, located just off the highway, offers ample parking and a restroom, making it a convenient spot to begin your journey.
The trail is a mix of single and double tracks, with a variety of terrain that includes rocky sections and dirt roads. The trail's navigation can be tricky at times, so it's important to keep an eye out for BCT signs to stay on course. The trail also passes through areas where snakes may be active, so caution is recommended during certain times of the year.
The Drinking Snake trail segment begins at the trailhead and heads south, while going north under Highway 69 will take you on the Big Bug and Russian Well segments of the BCT. The trail from Cordes to Big Bug Creek is a relatively smooth path, with some rocky switchbacks and a gentle climb of 200 ft. in a mile. This section offers stunning views of Black Canyon and the Bradshaw Mountains, as well as a diverse range of flora, including juniper trees and wildflowers.
The trail is part of the National Recreation Trail and offers a variety of scenery, from rolling grasslands to dense fields and beautiful valleys. The Black Canyon Trail is also known for its optimization for mountain bikes, with the final 1.75 miles to the Big Bug Trailhead featuring switchbacks and a descent alongside Big Bug Creek. The trail is accessible from Interstate 17 by taking the Bloody Basin Road exit and heading west to the ghost town of Cordes, where you then turn north onto Antelope Creek Road.
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To get to the trail from Interstate 17, take the Bloody Basin Road exit and turn right on Antelope Creek Road
To get to the BCT Drinking Snake trail from Interstate 17, take the Bloody Basin Road exit and turn right on Antelope Creek Road. This route takes you through the ghost town of Cordes.
From Interstate 17, take the Bloody Basin Road exit (Exit 259) and head west for about 3 miles until you reach Cordes. At the T-intersection in Cordes, turn left onto Antelope Creek Road (also known as Country Road 74). Continue on this road for about 1.25 miles. Just after you cross the BCT, you'll start descending into Black Canyon. Turn left at this point, and you'll find the trailhead.
The BCT Drinking Snake trail is part of the Black Canyon Trail, which is a National Recreation Trail. The trailhead for this segment is located just off Antelope Creek Road and provides parking and restroom facilities. The trail is a mix of single and double tracks, and the terrain includes rockiness and a variety of structures. It passes through rolling, juniper-dotted grassland, with some climbs and descents along the way.
The trail starts heading south from the trailhead, taking you on the Drinking Snake trail. If you head north under Highway 69, you'll join the Big Bug and Russian Well segments of the BCT. The trail is optimised for mountain bikes, but it's also used for hiking.
The Black Canyon Trail has been extended over the years, and there are plans to continue expanding it further north across Arizona.
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Frequently asked questions
The BCT Drinking Snake trail is a mix of single and double tracks. The trail is mostly a gravel road through mundane scenery, with some fun single tracks and scenic dirt roads.
From Cordes, the BCT Drinking Snake trail can be accessed by heading east on Antelope Creek Road for a mile.
Some points of interest along the BCT Drinking Snake trail include the ghost town of Cordes, the Bradshaw Mountains, and the junction of Big Bug Creek and AZ-69.
Some plant species found along the trail include redstem stork's bill, desert globemallow, strawberry hedgehog, desert woollystar, rough menodora, and silverleaf nightshade.
The BCT Drinking Snake trail is popular for hiking and mountain biking.
