Sunflower: Cornucopia - 201A

A few months ago Mike and I had checked out the Cornucopia trail near Sunflower. It got the wheels in my head turning. What if the AZT800 went UP the Cornucopia trail?? It would add more official AZT miles to the route which is always the goal and a good thing. This needed to be explored more.

I staged at the bottom of FS201 and began the short mile+ ride up the gravel road to the turnoff for FS25. This would be how the AZT800 route would flow.

FS25 begins with rapid descent, careful on those turns!!

The area is popular for off-road vehicles as well.

After the sign above, the route continues straight on FS25A into the meat of the Mazatzal Mtns.

25A would follow & cross a multitude of times, the West Fork of Sycamore Creek.

Not all roads are created equal. There 'may' be some hike-a-bike.

This abandoned ice cream truck signals the end of FS25A and would be a good time to stock up on water.

There's a brief stint on dirt road before reaching the Cornucopia trail, aka: AZT.

Beginning here, the route follows the AZT for a couple of miles.

Mostly good singletrack with a few exceptions await.

Thicket spring is only 100 feet off the trail, not sure how reliable it is though.

Water flow had decreased significantly since our ride in January.

Back on the AZT and nearing the top, or at least the Mt. Peeley trailhead.

Sweeping views to the southeast all the way to the Superstition Mtns.

The AZT splits off here and enters the Mazatzal Wilderness a bit farther up the hill.

So close to the halfway point of the trail.

The Cornucopia trail continues for another half mile or so to the trailhead.

The rugged beauty of the Mazatzal range is everywhere up here.

Tall pines greet your senses near Mt. Peeley.

End of the line for the Cornucopia trail.

At first I was really conflicted on whether or not to add this to the AZT800. It's much more difficult than the ride up FS201, but the benefits seem to outweigh the effort. More official AZT miles, lots of shade, plenty of water and good camping options if needed. FS201 doesn't really offer much in any of those areas. As I was texting all this to Scott to see what he thought, I think I convinced myself it needed to be added. Done.

Not too worry, there's still more climbing after the Mt. Peeley trailhead!!

Originally, I was simply going to ride over to FS201 and head back down to my car, but then I recalled another option: FS201A cut down a middle ridge before dipping over to 201. Might as well check that out too while I'm here.

FS201A was a nice dirt road too.

That's FS201 cutting across the far hillside.

Environmental station at the top of one ridge.

Cool to see one of these up close.

201A had a couple of short steep ups as it made its way across the ridge.

See that steep looking climb winding out of the canyon? That's my exit via 201A. FS201 is the flat looking road at the top.

Another 'You are here' sign along the way.

My turn goes sharp left, the road to the right drops back down to 25A.

The descent was rideable, a bit rowdy in sections, but fun!!

Crossing the East Fork of Sycamore Creek at the bottom.

Looking back at the descent down 201A. It was about a 15 minute hike-a-bike up to 201, pictured here.

Back on 201 it was almost all downhill back to the car to complete the loop.

This wasn't a very long ride, but it sure packed a punch!! If you like backcountry types of rides, this fits the bill. I only saw 2 groups of people all day, both at the beginning where they were camped. This will be a fine addition to the AZT800 leading riders to the wild Gold Ridge descent and cold beverages at Jake's Corner.

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