Hidden hike through an Arizona volcanic field has amazing views. Here's how to do it
It’s just 582 feet downhill from the paved byway of State Route 260 to the rocky course of Black Mountain Canyon, but hiking the dirt road to get to get to it is deceptively complicated.
Located in a hilly section of the Upper Verde River Volcanic Field in Yavapai County 15 miles east of Camp Verde, Forest Road 9243B cuts through dramatic terrain with a backstory of lava flows, ash deposits, water-scoured canyons and countless geological disruptions.
The rough two-track heads north from a dirt pullout along SR 260 in Prescott National Forest on a roller coaster course that delights the eyes and challenges legs with over 1,000 feet of elevation change.
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Evidence of volcanoes is revealed right away
The sparsely shaded road wastes no time delivering outstanding vistas and a tour of the area’s diverse ecozones.
The trailhead is bolstered by two volcanic land forms, one being Thirteenmile Rock Butte (5,515 feet) a prominent basalt-topped formation that served as a waypoint on the historic 200-mile General Crook Trail built in the 1800s to connect a chain of military forts that ran from eastern Arizona along the Mogollon Rim to the Prescott area.
The other geological standout is an unnamed 5,283-foot volcanic pinnacle with a broken east flank that exposes a base of red and black cinders. FR 9243B begins with a run right between the two stony massifs.
Open to off-road vehicles, hikers, bikers and equestrians, the road is a scenic destination for any type of travel, although the many details along its course are best observed on foot.
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You can see as far as northern Arizona on a clear day
Within the first quarter mile, the road hits a high point overlooking the Verde Valley. On clear days, the distant silhouette of Bill Williams Mountain near Williams in northern Arizona can be seen standing over green valleys and red rocks on the northwest horizon.
The route then makes the first of several dips and climbs, passing by the exposed cider pit before rounding uphill again for another big vista moment before it begins an undulating downhill spiral.
At the 0.8-mile point, the route continues straight ahead where an unmarked dirt road (FR 9243C) veers to the left.
Vegetation along the first mile is of the typical high desert variety. Yucca, junipers, rabbit thorn, cliffrose, scrub oak, skunk bush and cactus dominate the landscape with an understory of primrose, lupines, lilies, wild carrot and other wildflowers coloring the loose cinder-strewn substrate.
Parsons Tank attracts a variety of wildlife
Following a steep downhill section, the water of Parsons Tank comes into view in a juniper-ringed depression.
The road swings around the tiny pool where the footprints of skunk, bobcats, deer and raccoons signal the importance of this created waterhole to wildlife. Yet another uphill section lands hikers at a gorgeous vista point above the final descent to Black Mountain Canyon.
On the last edgy plunge, vegetation gradually changes from desert to riparian with ash trees and fruit-bearing shrubs entering the mix.
The road meets the canyon bottom at the 2-mile point. Marked by a tree-lined boulder crossing, the major drainage makes for a good turnaround point. But the hike may be extended on a maze of dirt roads shown on the Prescott National Forest map.
Hike Black Mountain Canyon
Length: 4 miles round trip.
Rating: Moderate.
Elevation: 4,374-4,956 feet (1,077 feet of accumulated elevation change).
Getting there: From Interstate 17 in Camp Verde, take Exit 287 for State Route 260 and go 15.7 miles east (toward Payson) to Forest Road 9243B on the left just past mile marker 234. Pass the gate (close it behind you) and park in the turnouts along the road.
Details: https://visitcampverde.com/general-crook-trail.
Read more of Mare Czinar's best Arizona hikes at http://arizonahiking.blogspot.com.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Prescott National Forest hike: Explore remote Black Mountain Canyon
