Cottonwood: Copper Chief

 The past few weeks I've been meaning to get back north to Cottonwood to check on a newer section of the Copper Chief trail. I had noticed on Trailforks it had been extended since my last ride there a couple years ago. This is a significant project as it will eventually provide a direct singletrack link to the Mingus Black Canyon trail. Lots of trail building activity is happening now all around the Verde Valley.

Today was the day. Temps were looking just about perfect under sunny skies. I'd be on the singlespeed with my 30x22 setup, hopefully it wouldn't be too brutal as it's pretty much all uphill from the get-go.

The main trailhead along Mingus Ave. for the Blowout Wash trails.

I would immediately begin climbing along the Blowout Canyon trail.

Now on Copper Chief, this grade was a bit much early on. Time to take a quick rest break.

Somewhere in here I came upon another group of 6 riders. One fella had taken a tumble off the trail and landed in a giant Prickly Pear cactus!! Ouch!! They said they had been there for 30 minutes already trying to remove spines. Ugh. I wished them well and kept grinding.

Not only does this trail ride great, it is also routed fantastically.

The views don't suck either...the entire way.

Very small trickle of water from a nearby spring.

Humphrey's Peak and Sedona's red rocks on full display.

The climbing grade reminded me of the BCT, with less rocks.

Oooh, a bit of downhill on the way up.

The trail dipped into this lush grotto, full of big trees and shade.

I stopped to take in the scene and heard some rustling up ahead. I first thought it was another trail user, but it moved again and this time I could hear breathing. Whatever it was, it was big. Probably not a mountain lion, rather a deer. I never did get eyes on it.

The singletrack merges with this 2-track for just under 1 mile. At its end, the grade kicked up requiring a short bit of walking.

Based on Trailforks, I was guessing this would be the end of the trail on the opposite hillside.

Came across the trail builders gear.

Absolutely beautiful contouring here.

That far cut doesn't seem so high on the mountain now.

I checked Trailforks again, and I was now beyond where it had shown the trail ending. Yes!! Moar new dirt!! How far would it go?

One place it went was up, continuing to climb at the nice grade.

I didn't want it to end.

Looking back.

The Verde Valley sprawled out below.

Figured this was a good time for a PeakFinder app photo.

I was expecting to see the end after every corner I came around, but it kept going.

Trail crew stuff. Must be nearing the work site.

Crossing each drainage was a breeze.

There it is, the end of the line. For now. It was 9.7 miles from the start to here.

Trailforks screenshot, the blue circle is where the dozer was. It's not long now until it ties into the Mingus Black Canyon trail. Can't wait!!

Here is the final alignment of Copper Chief as it meets Mingus Black Canyon.

A path will cut through here.

Heading back down. I ran into the other bikers, they were still intent on reaching the dozer.

The trail can be seen on the hill behind the foreground.

Couple of rollover gates too.

I opted to add in a Blowout Canyon Loop at the end to get my ride over 20 miles.

Really glad I added it, these trails are a hoot and constructed incredibly well.

I was a tad hungry afterwards, gotta eat. Found a food truck online. Winner!!

Look them up next time you're in Cottonwood.

I can't say enough good things about this ride other than, go ride it yourself. The sooner the better. Yes, it was fairly singlespeed friendly. I don't think I walked more than a 100 feet or so. Only took a couple of rest breaks.

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