Near Black Canyon Trail
Runners during the 2015 Black Canyon 100K.
Near Black Canyon Trail
High above the Agua Fria River on the K-Mine South segment of the BCT.
Near Black Canyon Trail
High above the Agua Fria River on the K-Mine South segment of the BCT.
Near Black Canyon Trail
Looking up the Agua Fria. The river was sinking at this point, allowing a dry crossing just downstream.

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Driving Directions
Hike Route

Black Canyon Trail

4.3 (3 Ratings)
An exciting, long-distance singletrack experience through the foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains.
155.1
mi
Distance
14,780
ft
Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
BirdingRiver/CreekViewsWildflowersWildlife

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
155.09mi
Distance
14,780ft
Elevation Gain
14,780ft
Elevation Loss
55%
Max Grade
4,372ft
High Point
1,601ft
Low Point
Path Type
There and Back
Description
The BCT is an overall descent from its beginning at Prescott National Forest to its terminus at the Carefree Highway.The northern reaches vary from open and rolling desert to small canyons. The middle sections from Bumble Bee to the Table Mesa trailhead offer the most dramatic scenery and the most adventurous rxing. From the Black Canyon trailhead south to the bottom of Little Pan, expect multiple crossings of the Agua Fria River.The southern section of the BCT is mellow with a gradual descent. Many people stop at Emery Henderson trailhead as the section between there and the Carefree Highway is flat and uninteresting compared to the rest of the route.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
Report Conditions

Nearby Hike Routes

Black Canyon Trail: Orme Road to Big Bug Trailhead

Hike Route

Black Canyon Trail: Orme Road to Big Bug Trailhead

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+1,343 ft
Black Canyon Trail: Big Bug Trailhead to Bumble Bee

Hike Route

Black Canyon Trail: Big Bug Trailhead to Bumble Bee

Views
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Mount Union from Potato Patch

Hike Route

Mount Union from Potato Patch

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Lower Goldwater Lake Hike

Hike Route

Lower Goldwater Lake Hike

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Montezuma's Castle Trail

Hike Route

Montezuma's Castle Trail

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+115 ft
Jail Trail

Hike Route

Jail Trail

easy
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Contributors
Kristen Arendt