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| | | Black Canyon Trail to Home - Part 2, AZ | | | |
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Black Canyon Trail to Home - Part 2, AZ
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| Backpack | 24.28 Miles |
1,911 AEG |
| | Backpack | 24.28 Miles | 23 Hrs 44 Mns | | 1.02 mph |
| 1,911 ft AEG | | 26 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | triplog for Black Canyon Trail to Home - Parts 0 & 1
Last night we camped near the corral/water near the intersection of Crown King and Antelope Creek Rds. For some reason I didn't hear my watch's alarm and overslept close to 15 minutes even after nine hours in bed. I must have been tired after yesterday's long hike and we get to repeat it today. Happy New Year! We were finally on the trail about 7:25.
The hike started out with a cold wind blowing into our faces as we followed the trail towards Bumble Bee. After two hours, I still had my gloves and beanie on and hadn't shed any layers. When we were a bit past Bumble Bee, I dropped my pack to go find a nearby geocache while Craig continued up the trail a ways. He stopped a short distance past a gate before the trail reaches Bumble Bee Creek and I joined him where we had some food and finally shed some layers.
After the break, the trail crosses Crown King Rd and contours above it to the Glorianna trailhead. This was the busiest stretch of trail for us. Seven bike-packers passed us and we passed a few hikers and mountain bikers going the other way. Craig got ahead of me as I slowed to take pictures. At one part of the trail there was a strong skunk scent. I silently prayed Craig didn't startle it and get sprayed.
We had lunch and rested for a few minutes at the Glorianna trailhead. Craig had already retrieved the water we previously cached when I arrived. The trailhead was a busy place and several people came and went while we were there. I was able to get a visitor to dispose of our empty water jug from the cache. At this point, we both were a bit disappointed with our day's progress. We had a long way to go to keep our schedule.
The trail continued contouring south only now Maggie Mine Rd was west of us instead of Crown King Rd. Shortly before we reached Maggie Mine Rd, three Mt Bikers that we'd seen earlier passed us again. They were at Maggie Mine Rd when we reached it so we talked for a few minutes before continuing along the trail descending down the old stage coach path to Black Canyon Creek. The day had warmed up nicely, so we stopped in the shade of the canyon wall and had some food and a short rest before continuing. There was no water running at the creek, but there were some pools of water.
The trail climbs steeply out of Black Canyon then makes a nice run to Soap Creek. I think we both felt good along here and enjoyed the hiking. The trail crosses Soap Creek, then climbs up to Soap Creek Rd which happened to be about midpoint for our hike. The trail is very rocky after it leaves the road; It's probably the worst section for mountain biking on the whole BCT. Heck it isn't even that great for walking.
The K-Mine section of the trail contains a fair bit of road walking. I kept the pace up since it was looking sketchy whether we would finish before dark. Finally the trail turned back to single track and soon crossed Slate Creek and a short time later, the Agua Fria. It seems the pools of water where the trail crosses the Agua Fria have been getting larger the past few years. Anyhow, they were the largest I've seen them. They aren't much of a problem if you know to go downstream a ways where it normally isn't hard to find a place to rock hop across. We knew that and that is exactly what we did.
Our plan was to camp where the trail next crosses the Agua Fria, near Horseshoe Bar. We were only a couple miles away and it looked like we would just make it before dark. As we climbed up the hill from the river canyon, I turned my phone on and checked in with my wife as I figured there probably wouldn't be service in the canyon at the night's camp. While climbing, the sun set behind the Bradshaws. We dropped back down to the river in the last vestiges of light; I would have needed a light if it was any farther.
The evening was really nice for camping. There was no wind and wasn't nearly as cold as last night. The Agua Fria had good flow and clear water. It was comfortable making my bed on the sand.
triplog for Black Canyon Trail to Home - Part 3 |
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