Trail Overview

Elbow Canyon Road-Mohave County 229-BLM1042 is an 11-mile straight-through trail that is ideal for most stock 4x4 vehicles with high clearance and is rated 3 of 10. From Scenic, Arizona Elbow Canyon rises 4600 feet into the Virgin Mountain ending at the intersection with Black Rock Road-BLM1004. At this intersection is the historic Black Rock Stone Cabin. The trail is considered moderate due to several washed-out sections with exposed rocks. The trail can be done in either direction but is typically done from bottom to top Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument region. From Scenic travel across 4 miles of open desert to the mouth of Elbow Canyon. As the trail ascends the western Virgin Mountains the trail passes the remains of Frehner Haven Ranch, also called Cold Springs Ranch. The remains of the cabin foundation remain and offer spectacular views of the valley below. The trail continues to climb along narrow ledge switchbacks until it summits and connects with Black Rock Mountain-BLM1004. This trail is not suitable for all-wheel or low-clearance 4x4 vehicles. Expect to lose cell phone service once entering into the canyon proper or cresting the summit.

Photos of Elbow Canyon Road-Mohave County 229 (BLM1042)

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Difficulty

Trail consisting of loose rocks, dirt, and sand with some slickrock surfaces, mud holes possible, no steps higher than 12". High clearance 4WD is required, aggressive tires a plus.

Technical Rating

Gabriel Barr

Jun 09, 2026

Open

Very poor condition. More like 6/10. Very technical

Peter Carlson

Jun 07, 2026

Open

Took from east side, coming from Black Rock Mountain. This is NOT a 3/10, more like 5-6/10. I agree with the sentiment that someone is going to get hurt or worse. Shame on ONX. There is serious damage to the road. Tight spaces, off camber, sharp rocks. Not sure when the damage came, but dont believe any video or review prior to 2023ish.

Gavin Richards

Jun 05, 2026

Open

Horrible trail pictures showed what to be expected extremly slow and rocky going entire road tooks us 2 hours of constant motion. DO NOT take road unless you have a crawler or care abt smashing your frame.

Rob Coffin

Apr 09, 2026

Open

This is not an easy route. Like others mentioned, this trail is very deteriorated. Our group had to turn around just past Elbow Canyon.

warren Brown

Mar 01, 2026

Open

This trail is not a 3 green rating. Its more like black trail rating. Almost extreme. Talked to few others that were there were all driving side by side atvs about the only thing that will make it to the top.

Michael Spencer

Feb 23, 2026

Open

There was a good snow storm that had came through 5 days prior so we got into snow and mud about half way up once the trail turns east and your driving on the shady side. There are two good rock obstacles around the half way mark. Towards the top of the canyon there is a boulder that has fallen in the middle of the trail years ago that you need to skirt around. We did this in a Maverick R 4-Seat no problem. If your under 77inches wide you shouldn't have any issues. The trail was very snowy and muddy. Wouldn't recommend this trail if your a beginner driver, or if you don't have high clearance 4x4.

Sean Rose

Nov 23, 2025

Open

Definitely a 5 or a 6 when I took the trail. A few larger obstacles on the trail and a few massive boulders to dodge in the middle of the trail. Some turns were very tight with some overgrowth so you might come out with a few pinstripes on a larger rig. Used my skid plates on few spots on a 3.5" lifted 4Runner with 33's. Very fun challenge but more of a blue trail beware.

Larry Trim

Oct 02, 2025

Open

Elbow canyon is currently a 5 or 6 trail in some of the washed out areas. We had a great time with this surprise adventure but we had the right rig.

John W

Sep 28, 2025

Open

This is NOT a Green trail by ANY MEANS. We have a lifted Bronco Wildtrack sasquatch'ed....and barely got through some places. It's INCREDIBLY deteriorated from constant washouts. The ENTIRE trail just about. This should be a BLUE 5/10 at least. If your on a side by side, then fine. but if in a full size rig, it's NOT green. We just did this trail 09/28/2025. It's SUPER fun, if you're looking for a challenging rock crawler BLUE. Took us nearly 4hrs to go 20 miles. Definitely not a fast trail if you are looking for an entry / exit of the area

Allen Kerr

Sep 18, 2025

Open

AJ Brown

Sep 11, 2025

Open

Was way more difficult than a 3. Multiple spots with very tight spots, high clearance was a must, and just a slow going uphill battle.

Nevada__ explored

May 10, 2025

Open

I agree with these last few comments. The washouts and boulders obstructing this trail are abundant. Made it 3/4's of the way down the switchbacks before turning around. Trail should be rated a 5 or 6.

Scott Goodfellow

Apr 26, 2025

Open

The last couple of years has really washed out the trial, exposing large rocks and boulders. Some huge boulders have fallen off the mountain and have halfway blocked the road. 12 rigs, all lifted with 35 or larger tires made the assent without problems. The trail rating is more like a 5 than a 3. It was a slow go but lots of fun and great scenery. Very few blooms, to dry of a year, but several place iv the creek bed did have a trickle off water

Brayden Milliner

Jan 11, 2025

Open

Whoever did the ranking for this trail needs their ranking privileges taken away. Me and my buddy were in highly modified Tacoma with 6 inch lift, and Bronco with a 6 inch lift. The entirety of this trail is a solid 5-6 with a couple sections closer to 7. If coming from the east side in a vehicle and dropping down the canyon, you really have no choice but to keep going down once you’ve gotten past the switchbacks. Once you do drop into the canyon, there are some serious obstacles that will have you questioning if you’re sleeping in the canyon that night. The ranking MIGHT apply to a modded side by side, but anyone else should definitely proceed with caution. And frankly, OnX needs to update the ranking on this trail before someone ends up getting into the canyon and not getting out. It could legitimately become a life threatening issue for someone if they don’t check the recent reports.

BRANDON T SHEPHERD

Dec 22, 2024

Open

I'd rate this trail close to a 4-5 as it was pretty deteriorated with some rather large boulders in the middle of the road. We have a Razor Pro S w/ 72 width and it made everything pretty well but in some spots was a little tense.