This is another loop trail made by linking a few different trails together, this is very open terrain and the views of the valley and surrounding mountain ranges are amazing. No shade really on this trail so take more water than you think you will need. Starting from the trailhead near the Blackhawk Campground area ride northwest on the Raptor Trail. The first mile is a gradual but steady climb up a ridge with a couple rough sections to navigate up. At one mile go through a gate in a cattle fence, the climbing mellows out here as you meander across a plateau for another 1.3 mi. Take a right onto the Thumper Trail here, the Raptor trail continues on up the mountain for a couple miles to a set of old jeep roads. The Thumper Tr is the beginning of a downhill grade and follows along the contour of the hill as it heads south for 2.5 miles. Eventually the trail drops down into a small canyon, crosses back through another fence and then climbs out the other side of the canyon. It then dead ends at the Kiln Tr. Turn right here and follow an old wagon trail that turns back into single track a half mile later. Some fast downhill and several fun drops for the rest of the way back to the road. Once you reach the pavement at Dead Horse St Park near some horse stables turn right for 100 yrds and then another right puts you back on the road to the campgrounds.
Enjoy!
Follow highway 89A from Sedona through Cottonwood as it turns and heads north. Follow the large brown signs to the Dead Horse State Park at the north end of town. There is a day use fee for parking or camping fee for the campgrounds. Follow main road about 1 mile and then turn left into the north campgrounds and go all the way to the Blackhawk C.G. and trailhead parking which is at he end of the road.<br />
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