Cottonwood: Quail Springs

 We wrapped up our ride along Copper Chief then made our way to the Maverik Station for drinks. I suggested the same food truck I ate at last time I was here and it was perfect. Plateros Roadrunner Grill has quickly turned into a must-stop.

After lunch we drove over to Ogden Ranch Rd. and up to the Black Canyon TH. Again, this is NOT the Black Canyon Trail, BCT, that parallels I-17, this is the Mingus Black Canyon Trail. To avoid confusion, I kinda hope they make a name change as this trail is about to become more popular with the completion of both Copper Chief and Quail Springs.

We bumped into a couple of forest service workers who were putting up signs warning trail users of the potential of falling rock/debris from the Copper Chief trail construction. We mentioned we had just come off that trail and were now heading up Quail Springs. They informed us the new trail was 5 1/2 miles with about 2 more remaining to be built. More new dirt, let's go!!

Blue portion needs to be built.

The start of Quail Springs.

The first couple of miles gently climbed through the high desert, but the mountain approached.

Now things were getting interesting.

We took note of the climbing grade for each mile: 200', 150', 200', 250' & 225'.

Must be a water source down there, Quail Spring??

From a distance, we thought we were looking at the dozer marking the end of the trail.

Kara climbing the nice grade.

Catching my breathe after a short pitch. Photo by Kara.

Tight, loose switchback. It'll pack in nicely with use.

Not the dozer, hauling the trail goods.

End of the line, right at mile 5.0. Photo by Kara.

The trail will continue through here. Nice view of Humphrey's Peak on the horizon.

Looking down on all the trail we rode up.

Cool vantage point on the way down.

Kara flying on the downhill.

It was like a 5 mile flow trail on the way down.

Two miles remaining until the trailhead.

Total guestimate on the remaining trail for Quail Springs. It'll tie into Copper Chief at some point. Making a loop from the trailhead will be a 13 mile ride.

The trail was an absolute hoot to ride, both up and down. When complete in the coming months, it'll open up some real nice ride possibilities. Doing a 13 mile loop from the trailhead, making a longer lollipop ride from the Blowout Wash trails or switching up the finish to a shuttle ride down Gaddes Canyon, Mingus Black Canyon & Quail Springs. 

The Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition is really making things happen up here. Lots more in the works.