Explore what the sublime Sonoran Desert has to offer with the Best of Phoenix and Black Canyon Trail (BCT) Mountain Biking Tour! This tour is great for close groups of biking friends looking for a fun excursion.
The first day starts off 27-miles northeast of Phoenix with a drive to Mcdowell Mountain, a 21,099-acre regional park. Once there, we’ll warm up our biking legs with a fast and flowy single track. Riding local conservancy lands, the landscape opens onto a beautiful XC, or cross-country trail system; one that encompasses more than 40-miles of fast and flowy, mountain bike specific singletrack. The terrific abundance of flora and fauna throughout this area makes for a perfect introduction, or interpretation of the vibrant Arizona desert. The network crosses habitat for Javelina, deer, coyotes, plus a terrific variety of raptors and songbirds. From there, it’s a drive out to Bumble Bee Ranch for some First-Class Camping and a relaxing shower to end the day.
Day 2, we use Bumble Bee Ranch as our home base (should we say hive base?) to do some exploring, taking the Black Canyon Trail from North to South for a net loss of elevation. All the while enjoying the company of stoic saguaro cacti and rust-colored geological features. The last three days of our Phoenix tour mix and match the Black Canyon Trail.
On day 3, we take the Black Canyon Trail all the way down to Black Canyon City. It’s a “bustling metropolis” with a population of under three thousand, but touting some world famous pies! The riding on this day is broken up by a few crossings of the Agua Fria river, a welcome chance to get your feet wet and splash a bit.
Day 4 is dedicated to finishing what is left of the Black Canyon Trail. After this final day in the area, we’ll have explored all 67 miles of the trail. By the end, you’ll understand why it is a must-do for any bikepacking enthusiast!
Day 5 is when we finally make a beeline away from our basecamp and drive into the heart of Phoenix where we will find ourselves in the second largest municipal park in the world; South Mountain Park and Preserve. Since this park features all sorts of trails from mild to wild, South Mountain will be a “choose your own adventure” part of the trip. Whichever way we go, we’ll be swept away by nothing less than world class riding, a fantastic expanse of singletrack trails totaling 50-plus miles. Wrapping up the tour with an enjoyable ride tailored to your group’s preferences.
For more information, click HERE and request a detailed itinerary.
