Black Ridge Loop Photoset • 00blackout • 2026-01-12 • HikeArizona.COM

Black Ridge Loop, AZ

	2026-01-12
	52 by 00blackout

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Black Ridge Loop, AZ

Hiking	10.27 Miles	2,670 AEG

Hiking	10.27 Miles	6 Hrs 4 Mns	1.94 mph
	2,670 ft AEG	47 Mns Break

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Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

I attempted to hike Peter's Canyon on Sunday; however, the tropical storm-force winds convinced me otherwise. Monday's winds, although still breezy, weren't forecasted to be as bad and were expected to decrease as the morning progressed, so, of course, I picked out something on a ridge

. Started from the Cross F TH with no other vehicles in the lot, which was probably due to the 37-degree temperature and the arctic wind. I decided to do the loop CCW, getting the easy portion out of the way, and as expected, the AZT portion of the hike was in great shape. When I got to the turnoff, I briefly contemplated finishing out the section of 22 to the Saddle Mountain Trail, but the artic winds once again convinced me not to. Once off the AZT, the trail was initially easy to follow; however, it was a bit hit and miss near Marion Spring as the scratchy stuff was being super fed. Once I got past the spring, near the old corral and fenceline that was in severe disrepair, the grass took over, and the trail disappeared. As long as you know the general direction and stay close to the track, you will be fine. Took a break near the Upper Sheek Creek Spring area and started the biggest climb of the day. The trail here is easy to follow, although a bit muddy, rocky, and torn up in some places due to the cattle; the climb is steep but fairly short. The trail vanishes again at the top of the ridge, all the way to Brunson Tank, which is like a small lake; it's massive, and even with cattle in the area, the water did not look that bad at all. Past the tank, the trail is easy to follow again, although slippery in some areas due to the rocks. Came across my horse friends near the power lines and followed 393 down a bit before jumping off on a game trail back to the TH.

A good amount of scratchy stuff once off the AZT, which my legs took the brunt of, and with all of the steep, slippery sections, which I got through no problem, I fell on my pumpkin 20 yards from the TH

. Came across a couple of deer and zero people all day, not surprisingly. Great hike through an absolutely beautiful section of the Mazzies, it was long sleeves all day with the ridiculous wind, which for me rarely happens.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Trash Hauled Out

Wildflowers Observation Light

	Brunson Tank	76-100% full	76-100% full
	Tons of water, it's like a small lake.

Little Saddle Mountain Trail Canyon

Pools to trickle

	Lower 244 Creekbed	Pools to trickle	Pools to trickle
	Some small pools.

	Marion Spring	Quart per minute	Quart per minute
	Did not look for the spring, but some nice pools with light flow below the area.

	Upper Sheep Creek Spring	Quart per minute	Quart per minute
	Light flow with nice pools in the creek near the spring.

_____________________

Hiking is just walking where it’s okay to pee.

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