Bulldog Canyon Loop

 A few weeks ago my friend, Sharon, invited Kara and I on a ride in the McDowell Mtns. Kara was busy doing an Endurance Studio podcast of her AZT800 (give it a listen) and after looking at the route, I knew I wasn't quite ready for that kind of effort. A few weeks later and she asked again, this time we'd be doing about a 30 mile loop through Usery Mtn. Park, linking to the Goldfield Mtns, heading north through Bulldog Canyon, then back via the Hawes trails into Usery Mtn. Park. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to just ride to the start from home following the Queen's Ransom route. Of course doing that would add about 45 miles roundtrip of fast, flat, mostly canal riding.

I did a ride over at Hawes the day prior after a two week break for yet another health related setback. All good now. It was a tough ride, but I didn't feel as bad as I thought I may. So why not really see where I was at and go big.

I rolled out under the cover of darkness at 6a. I cut through the green belts of Power Ranch before linking into the canal system.

Germann Rd. underpass in Power Ranch.

Mesa city lights heading north on the canal.

Kara also opted to ride from home, but she doesn't live too far from the trailhead, so she rode towards me for some bonus miles. I thought we'd cross paths around mile 8 or so, but it ended up being a bit over 9 as I neared Guadalupe Rd, now in daylight.

We made good time and reached the Crismon curve trailhead about 10 minutes ahead of schedule and as we peered up Crismon we could see Sharon pedaling towards us with another rider, Sam. They both rode from where they were staying about 5 miles away. Nice to have all of us meetup from different parts of the city by pedaling there. What a concept.

There was an enthusiastic park volunteer at the trailhead telling us how he had chased a motorized rider through the park recently. FYI: these trail are multiuse and non-motorized, but Class 1 ebikes are allowed at Usery. It still blows my mind how a few individuals think the rules don't apply to them. It's not like there aren't motorized trails literally 2 miles up the road. Anyway, it was now time to get our main loop going and I was already sitting at 23+ miles, but barely 500' of gain. Ha!

It starts easy enough on the Levee trail.

Brittlebush are blooming all over right now. Photo by Sharon.

I rode most of the upper section of the Goldlink trail.

Sharon cresting the main climb on the Goldlink trail.

Goldlink was tough!! Fair amount of hike-a-bike for me, but it was still fun and I did ride some of the climbs.

Taking a moment to get my HR in check!! Photo by Kara.

Top of Goldlink looking east towards the Superstition Mtns.

Enjoying the short break atop Goldlink. Me, Kara, Sharon & Sam.

Had to really watch your speed on these loose, slightly off-camber turns. Photo by Sharon.

Sam rolling down from the high saddle.

Kara coming through.

Sharon rounding out the bunch.

Hike-a-bike train!!

Making our way into Bulldog Canyon.

One of the chundery downhills.

It's a popular OHV area too, we saw a couple groups while out there and most seemed surprised we were there on bikes. After a few short steep sections, it began to mellow out and became mostly downhill.

Assuming the position!! Photo by Sharon.

Not all the lines were chunky!! Photo by Sharon.

The scenery of the Goldfield Mtns. is quite spectacular.

Exiting Bulldog Canyon along the Bush Hwy.

A couple of paved miles leading back to Hawes and passing by the popular tube rental area for the Salt River.

Next up was a climb up the following trails: Scorpion, Maricopa Madness, Maricopa Trail, Bull Run and finally Talon. It's not steep, but averages about 200' per mile, while keeping an eye peeled for downhill traffic. It was now later in the day, a bit warm, so not too many other riders were out.

Cool section of the Maricopa Trail as it gets you off the pavement. Photo by Sharon.

Sharon on the same section of the Maricopa Trail.

We made our way onto Talon and I was more than ready to be done with the climbing. Most of this routes 3000'+ of gain was over a 25 mile stretch. I saw the group up ahead, but knew it wasn't quite the top of Talon, perhaps someone had a flat?? I was hitting the wall, legs heavy, but still grinding. By the time I caught up with the group, my head was down, focused on turning the cranks. As I neared, they told me to watch out for a Desert Tortoise that was in the trail!! I never saw it, thought it was a rock and thankfully didn't ride over it!!

Yeah, it was THAT close!! Oops. Photo by Sharon.

I wasn't climbing the trail much faster.

Time to mosey back into the desert. Photo by Sharon.

Down through a thick stand of Saguaros on Pass Mtn. trail.

<PHOENIX that-a-way.

Nice view of Pass Mtn. from Usery Park.

Final group shot as we finish the loop. Kara and I would head west from here, back the way we came.

I passed through the Gateway Airport area on my way home.

Dopplar radar about a mile from home with a hot air balloon gliding above.

Strava link.

That ended up being a big day and a ton of pedaling with almost 45 miles of flat riding. The loop itself was cool, but definitely some work. Thanks for putting it together, Sharon.

BCT 50: Old AES Route

 It had been a minute or three since I last rode the old Arizona Endurance Series Black Canyon Trail, AES BCT, route. It's a fantastic sampling of the BCT without the need for a shuttle. From Rock Springs you ride 21 miles on dirt (a few miles of pavement to start) generally uphill to the top of Antelope Creek. From there, it's 29 miles along the BCT back to Rock Springs with a couple of water crossings added in.

Both Kara and Mike were game, but Mike was on a little bit of a time crunch so we stuck together as long as it made sense before he needed to peel off.

My spinny singlespeed pedaling couldn't match the pace early on.

There are two significant climbs on our way up to Antelope Creek. The first one is shortly after the route turns to dirt along Maggie Mine Rd. It's just under 1 1/2 miles and I hoped to be able to clean it without stopping.

Still mashing, in the thick of the first climb. Photo by Kara.

Oof. I made it!!! But holy moly my legs were rubbery!! Haha. Photo by Kara.

Mike cresting the top while I caught my breath.

Obligatory bike photo over Bumble Bee Creek.

Couple of guys were setting up for gold panning below us.

Kara passing through the bustling community of Bumble Bee. Pop. 6.

The uphill continued, but at a much more relaxed pace for a while along Crown King Rd.

Kara and Mike pulled away from me on the second climb, Antelope Creek Rd. This one was 3 miles long, but the road was better maintained than the Maggie Mine Rd. climb.

Hooray!! I made the second climb too. Stoked!! Photo by Mike.

It doesn't look like much here, but this is the beginning of the Antelope Creek descent. Now high above Saguaro land.

The descent begins with 3/4 mile of singletrack as it bends around the hillsides. There's a short half mile or so dirt road connector to the next piece of singletrack. This section is the area people talk about. It twists and turns, but there is some exposure so pay attention!! When people mention Antelope Creek, this is what they're talking about.

Mike is camouflaged quite well against the hillside. 

That's better.

Kara was easier to spot with her brightly colored AZT jersey.

A short section not hugging the hills.

Into the ravine we go.

Easy to let 'er rip, just don't slide off the trail!!

Kara giving chase.

This section is so fun, but the exposure is coming.

The full decent back to the crossing of Crown King Rd. is 5 miles, we've only just begun.

Mike was kind enough to be the gatekeeper as Kara and I rolled through. Photo by Mike.

Staying a bit cautious on speed as the corners can be slippery. Photo by Mike.

The downhill contouring continues.

Really fun trail routing through here as it bends back on itself a couple of times.

Mike is diggin' it, why wouldn't he be??

Cruising along.

We often get 'lost' is this vast landscape.

Ride the snake.

Such fun riding. Photo by Mike.

I'm glad we took time for some pics through here. Photo by Mike.

If you haven't ridden this section yet, why not?? Photo by Mike.

A few short ups to keep things interesting. Photo by Kara.

What a perfect day to be out on a long ride. Photo by Kara.

Mike pops into focus. Photo by Kara.

Wide angle view.

Cheese!! Photo by Kara.

Pow!! Photo by Kara.

Still heading down Antelope Creek, now on the more mellow final mile or so.

Water, if needed, by the cattle pen at the Crown King Rd. crossing.

The trail meanders across the flats, then winds it's way through some cool boulders.

A little bit of climbing before another long decent to Bumble Bee.

Bumble Bee Ranch, which you can stay at if bikepacking, and Sunset rest area high above off I-17.

Mike grinding up the mile climb after crossing Bumble Bee Creek. It's probably my least favorite mile of the route.

Mike getting through one of the tricky rock features.

The BCT does an amazing job at contouring the landscape.

Making my way across. Photo by Mike.

In & out of a series of drainages on this section.

Postcard shot!!

Bumble Bee trailhead sign has seen better days.

Mike needed to motor on ahead (no, not on an eBike, it's just a saying. Haha), so we departed here. He'd end up taking the trail to one of the upcoming dirt road crossings, then bombed down to Black Canyon City for an easy spin to the trailhead.

A few more miles of contoured trail before dropping towards the Maggie Mine Rd. crossing.

Good sized pool along Arrastre Creek, not much flow though.

Short climb to Maggie Mine Rd.

Dropping down the Stagecoach segment.

Kara near the bottom.

Cool wire art by one of the gates.

Black Canyon Creek had a nice flow to it.

Easy to cross and keep your feet dry too!!

Baby Saguaro finding a hold on a rock face.

Look how tiny it is!! Less than a foot high.

Gravesite a few feet off the trail.

Kara carving a natural rock berm.

Agua Fria River was a little more challenging to cross, I did not keep both feet dry!!

The real challenge was after reaching the other side, where to go?? A short bushwhack led us to a trail of sorts. A week or so later, a trail crew was in the area and should have improved this crossing.

Kara testing her switchback climbing skills on the final climb of the ride. I often keep tabs on how many of the 8 switchbacks I clean, not so good today. I think only 3 of 8. 

Wonderful trail routing though.

The Agua Fria River crossing we did is down by all those trees.

Alpenglow as we near the final mile.

Downstream on the Agua Fria River. We wouldn't have to cross it again, only if you take the trail split to continue riding southbound.

Back at the trailhead in daylight, not by much!!

Kara put the wraps on it as well. Lots of new BCT miles for her today.

Such a great ride.

It had been a few years since I last rode this route, it really should be an annual thing, much like the Picketpost to Kelvin segment of the AZT. It's a very rideable 50+ miles and nice that it is a loop, so logistics are easy. Plus, you can always stop for pie in Rock Springs afterwards!!

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