BCT: The Copper Russian

 My birthday was rapidly approaching on Monday, I was looking forward to a mountain biking heavy long weekend beginning on Friday. I was able to clear my work schedule and opted to head north for the first of four planned rides. 

It had been a while since I last rode the Russian Well segment of the Black Canyon Trail, BCT. It's easy to add on the Copper Mtn. Loop on the way back to the trailhead, so that was the plan. I staged at the Big Bug trailhead off SR69 in the higher elevation and cooler temps than the Phoenix area. As soon as I parked I noticed it was a bit windy. Hmmm. The first part of the ride on Old Sycamore Rd. is wide open, I hoped I wouldn't get blasted.

Let's get going.

Wide open Old Sycamore Rd. Windy, but not too bad.

Making a left here, near I-17, onto Orme Rd.

It's undulating terrain out here.

Not much, if any, traffic. You get a good sense of really being 'out there'.

The beginning of the BCT singletrack. Doesn't get a bunch of visitors it appears.

Keeping singletrack single, isn't a problem up here.

Windmill down and out.

Russian Thistle was in bloom all along the route.

Nearing the top of a short climb the views begin to open up.

Copper Mtn. stands tall in the foreground.

Passing by Russian Well.

There's about a half mile in this area where the trail is extremely difficult to follow. The spider web of cow tracks look more like the BCT. Cairns and signage would help keep you on track.

Must be nearing the Agua Fria River as I pass through a thick canopy of trees.

Look at that!! The Agua Fria River was actually flowing.

Too bad the trail was overcrowded...

I reached a short dirt road climb right before this backhoe crawled up.

The Xm gate, signaling the start of the Copper Mtn. Loop, off to the right before going through the gate.

Heading off to a work site as I begin the loop.

Fantastic contoured climb.

Fun routing all through here.

Mariposa Lily, they were blooming all over the place.

The flowers were putting on a show.

All the colors were out.

Scenes of the high desert.

Simple gate fixture that works nicely.

No scratchy vegetation today.

SR69 comes into view, almost to the high point of this section.

Camper with a view.

There's a really fun, twisting, rocky, sometimes technical descent that mostly completes the Copper Mtn. Loop and the main reason I ride the loop in a counter-clockwise direction.

A flowy section of trail that stays just high enough on the slope and out of the wash.

This is such a great loop, 35 miles and not one other trail user. If you're tired of the busy weekend crowds at your local 'in town' shred, venture north a bit and check this one out.

Route:

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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