| Black Canyon Trail 114 Starting on The Coleman Trail 108 Trail |
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| Black Canyon Trail 114 Starting on The Coleman Trail 108   | 
| Location: Arizona, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 34.69138°N / 112.10724°W Trail Type: Cross Country, Downhill, Mountain Technical Difficulty: Very difficult Aerobic Difficulty: Medium Layout: Point to Point Elevation Gain: -3313 ft / -1010 m Length: 10.0 Mi / 16.1 Km
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| Page By: Freak-a-zoid Created/Edited: Nov 24, 2007 / Dec 7, 2007 Object ID: 264721 Hits: 976 Loading... Page Score: 87.46% - 6 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Overview Combining the Black Canyon Trail 114 & The Coleman Trail 108 is one of the epic decents of Mingus Mountain. From slow super rocky single track to hair pin switchbacks to techy wash riding and lightning fast single track this will have your attention the entire way down.
Trail DescriptionFrom the trail #108 sign on the right side of forest road #104A (where a powerline crosses the road), start riding south through the pines, along an old, rocky road. At 0.1 miles, you will come to a trail marker and weathered wooden sign on your left. Turn left (southeast) here, as the trail leaves the old road behind. The Coleman Trail now begins a gradual descent through rocks galore, for some this may not be your cup of tea but it's worth it as long as your not going to damage yourself or your bike, if this is the case you may be in over your head. At about the one mile point, the trail passes near the east rim of Mingus Mountain, where some nice views of the Verde Valley are on your left. By 1.25 miles the descent becomes more pronounced. The Coleman Trail soon reaches the southern lip of Mingus Mountain, where the descent begins. The trail drops over the rim here, and plunges into the thick brush of a south facing slope. The rolling, green hills and forested canyons of the southern Black Hills can be seen here, as the Coleman Trail switchbacks downward. The growth is quite thick, sleeveless or short sleeves are not a good idea exposed skin will soon have Arizona pin stripes. As you head down you want let it loose yet every time you do, magically a switchback appears. Wait you will get your chance to let it rip. After 7 switchbacks let it go there is on s curve in a long straight shot towards the end of the Coleman Trail and the Junction of FR413. Once on FR413 make a right and head mostly downhill towards the marked trail head for Black Canyon Trail 114 which will be on your left. 114 starts off as a jeep\quad trail crisscrossing the bottom of the drainage. Ending up on the right hand side of the drainage the trail heads down steeply, big speeds & copious amounts of adrenaline are available here. The decent flattens out and as you ride through the forest along the drainage you will come to the confluence of the drainage you are in (Gaddes Canyon) and Black Canyon the trail will head left down stream in Black Canyon. At this point the trail is flowing ups and downs along black canyons left side get ready though you will soon climb out from the bottom. If you ride all the way up this let me know I will have plaque made for you, most people take a a break at the top after pushing their bike up. After you catch your breath get on it the big speeds and copious amounts of adrenaline are back for the next 4 miles. There are beautiful views all the way down but you won't be looking unless you’re stopped. Big exposure fast technical riding will have your full attention. This is one of my all time favorite sections of trail. As you get closer to the end the trail gives way to small double track will bermed rutted corners that you can absolutely fly through. The grade slowly lessens as you come to the lower trailhead and it's over. Get to a spotted car, ride back into cottonwood or call your pick up
Getting ThereTop
Mingus Mountain is about 30 miles southwest of Sedona. From the Verde Valley side wherever you are Sedona, Cottonwood, etc. take Highway 89a south towards Prescott. You will climb up the Mountain starting from Clarkdale 4 miles later you will pass through Jerome, Check it out Jerome is a great place to explore. 11 miles up the mountain you will come to a Turn off for the Mingus Recreation Area take the left at this high point on the road 7023 ft(marked). Continue following the signs up this well maintained dirt road FR104 to the Mingus Recreation Area about 4 miles. Once in the Recreation area you will come to a tee Turn right (south) at the "T", and follow forest road 104A for 0.7 miles to the #108 trailhead sign on the right, underneath an electric powerline.
View Larger MapGetting BackOnce you finish the trail you are at the end of Ogden Ranch Rd. the lower Trail Head for Black Canyon Trail 114.
View Larger MapWhen to BikeSpring
Summer
Fall
Winter you will not be able to drive to the trail head.
2 miles of riding the road to get past the closed gate and of course a good chance snow will be on the mountain. Images |
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