0.2 Pass thru a cattle gate, (please keep it closed) and go under the single-span steel railroad bridge. Turn left at the fork beneath, and proceed southeast up the lefthand side of the canyon. The right fork goes a short distance upcanyon, then dies. (requires a rough wash crossing to regain the road) The canyon road climbs gently; very easy at first, a bit sandy/rocky towards the end.

1.9 A huge isolated bluff looms front & center. At it's foot the road forks. Straight across the intersection and a bit right, look for a trail leading off the road, which goes to the right of the bluff and up a narrow canyon beneath it. Singletrack at last! It starts technical and mostly stays that way.

Note: To shorten the ride, you may drive to this point. (high ground clearance required)

Side Trip: The road to the left goes a short distance to a wet seep, then just after, hooks sharply left, up the side of the canyon wall, very, very steeply. At the hook, look for a trail going right, along the right side of the creek bed. It's a so-so .3 mile cowtrail. Some extra riding beyond. Caution: the few cows around here are 'loose as a goose' when they move fast, so don't be herdin' em. Plus, you don't want to meet a fast moving cowhand, do you?

2.2 The trail splits; go left for the main trail, right connects to the pipeline road directly.

2.3 After a 100 foot trail rise a saddle is reached, close to a powerline. The pipeline road is a few yards away.

2.4 The trail crosses over the pipeline road, and continues down into a new canyon. Before the road crossing, you pass over the buried pipe, containing coal slurry from Black Mesa in Navajo land, bound for the Laughlin power plant.

3.0 The trail joins to the end of an old ranch road. There's a sandy bit, and a rocky wash crossing, but otherwise OK. A short distance along, you cross another pipeline (gas) and just after, the road curves right toward a big isolated hill to the west.
The road is difficult to follow at the curve, but soon clears up. Continue toward the big hill.

3.3 Just after passing a group of large boulders on the left, watch carefully for a cowtrail crossing the road. Go left onto this trail. If you reach the big hill you've gone too far. Note: This boulder group has a campsite with a firepit hidden in the center. Neat.

This next trail section climbs gradually for almost a mile, with many Pointy Plants near the trail. This is a true cow's trail. The debris and rocks have been cleared back for your riding pleasure, but it remains what it is: narrow, slow and twisty.

However, I'm proud to announce that this trail has received the American Bovine Association's 'stamp' of approval! Some quotes: "Udderly amazing!"-Cudsters Quarterly; "A real hoofers delight, no bull"-Modern Grazing; "This is no milk run!"-Rawhide.

About three tenths of a mile along this section there's a trail split. Go left. If you go right it takes you straight into the wash. (don't go there)

4.2 Just after crossing Lookout wash the trail tees into an east/west mining road, which goes up into the big canyon to the east. A short distance up is Lookout Spring; not too wet, because of the drought. This is the headquarters of the ABA local, by the way. Further up, you can 'ride' rilly old mine roads to several digs, including the 'Holy Moses' mine. Strong riders only.

For the main route, when you come off the trail and on to the road, just swerve to the left maybe ten feet. Then swing back straight, onto another road going southwest off of the first road. Don't come off the trail and turn right, there are no trails down that way.

Just 50 yards along the road going southwest you will see a low pile of big rocks I've placed to the right. At that point, turn hard LEFT off the road, ride around a big bush, and you will see the trail, going east. It soon curves right and heads southwest, along the base of the hill on your left. This is my favorite trail section.

4.7 After half a mile of killer kow trail, there's a trail split. Left goes up into a side canyon a half mile or so, then dies. It's quite good tho kinda technical. The right trail runs west alongside the wash from the side canyon for about 100 yards, then crosses it and continues southwest. If you find yourself suddenly on an old doubletrack, doubleback, and stay left after passing the first trail split. Head for the huge boulder pile to the southwest.

5.1 The trail goes past some small mine pits, then connects to a road, which can be seen rising to a saddle nearby. It dead-ends at the saddle. Instead turn right, and go down the road. Note: The 1.8 mile round trip from here to Boulder Well and back could exceed 1 hour for some riders. For a shorter ride, go to the saddle and hike, rockhop, or just take in the backcountry views. It's also a dandy camp site.

5.3 After a quick fun descent, the road tees into another road. Go left (southwest).

5.6 Another 3-way. You're now facing the second of three really big boulder piles. Head right, (southwest) toward the base of the pile

5.9 Boulder Well, complete with cattle pen & windmill. Strong riders will find extra roads here and back along the route; enough to challenge the most hardened of death marchers. Then there's the piles. Ah yes, the piles. Huge ones, with HUGE BOULDERS. You did bring your full finger leather gloves, right? Good! Now, into those piles, you monkeys! Watch out for the bats and rats. (I'm kidding about the rats)

Warning: These piles are potientially very dangerous! One short fall could be fatal. Move slow and careful, and wear your helmet. Remember, Big John is not responsible for your safety, you are.

In An Emergency: Take any road that goes toward the steel mill visible 2 miles to the west, and past the big building to the security gate.