Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Crook Trail to Black Canyon Trail Day Hike

when	Trip Report : April 2, 2022
where	Prescott National Forest
the hike	This hike was mentioned in Mare Czinar’s Blog AZ Hiking on 2/14/22.     Join me on this second venture on a historical trail that is part of a new section of the Black Canyon Trail along State Route 69, that has been expanding northward into the Prescott National Forest. Southward, this trail will eventually connect to the Russian Well Trail (an interesting hike led on 2/5/22 with the AZ Trailblazers) that involves the latest effort of adding 37 miles of nonmotorized trail between the Russian Well near the town of Mayer along Orme School Road to the Verde River at Camp Verde.     This new stretch of trail incorporates part of the General Crook National Recreational Trail, old stock driveways, and new segments of trails currently under construction.     The hike begins across the parking area from South Cherry Creek Road, where Trail No. 64 heads east through scrubby rangeland backed by mountain vistas. This sketchy path passes through washes and drainages, and becomes clean where large cairns mark the way. This historic wagon road glides through largely shadeless brush, replete with catclaw, yucca, and cacti.     This stark expanse was one the realm of sheep flocking from winter grazing land around Bloody Basin to their summer pastures near Flagstaff and on the Mogollon Rim. While sheep still pass through this backcountry, hikers are more likely to encounter domestic cattle, coyotes, and javelina.     At the 1.2 mile point the route meets the newly constructed section of the Black Canyon Trail, where trail signs are not yet installed, and construction is still active in this area. From this junction, head south (right) and follow the newly forged single track as it bends westward though grasslands and juniper forests. The trail swings through and around drainages and sandy washes, and eventually turns south up a hill, with excellent views of the Pine Mountain Wilderness. This will be our turnaround point.     Moderate pace to enjoy the scenery. Fast hikers will be required to wait for the leader at the junction points, due to no signage.
distance	9-10 miles
time	6-7 hours
EC	+-686 feet elevation change
elevations	4497' Maximum
type	round trip
starting at	Cherry Creek Road at the 64 Trail Post Marker.
on trail	98% — Black Canyon Trail
rating	"B"     Rate yourself as a hiker.
dogs allowed	no
cost	Sharing gas expenses with the driver. The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member.
weather	Camp Verde
meet	7:30 AM at the McDonald’s at I-17 and Carefree Highway, Tramonto Marketplace.
drive	•  From I-17 about 8 miles south of Camp Verde take the Dewey-Humboldt exit 278 for State Route 169. • Turn left onto SR 169 and continue 5.5 miles to the Cherry Creek Road intersection, past milepost 10. • Turn left onto the dirt at South Old Cherry Creek Road/County Road 168 (not signed and shown on same maps as Hackberry Wash Road). • Continue 0.4 miles to the trailhead parking lot on the right. • The hike begins across the road at the No. 64 trail post sign.

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updated April 4, 2022	© Copyright 2022, Arizona Trailblazers.  All rights reserved.