Overview

The Connector Trail (BLM 402) is a 0.57-mile trail in Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area that connects the Black Mountain Trail (BLM 404) to the Park Peak Loop Trail (BLM 403). As such, the Connector Trail does not alone make a hike, as it neither connects to a trailhead nor reaches a destination.

The Connector Trail is most useful as part of a 5-mile loop that makes use of four trails (Anthem East Trail, Black Mountain Trail, Connector Trail, and Park Peak Loop Trail) to climb onto Fracture Ridge or the summit of Park Peak.

Link to map.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ...this hike is fairly safe with no unusual hazards.

While hiking, please respect the land and the other people out there, and try to Leave No Trace of your passage. Also, even though this hike is short, be sure to bring what you need of the 10 Essentials.

Getting to the Trailhead

This hike is located in Sloan Canyon NCA, but technically there is no trailhead as this is only a connector trail. The nearest trailhead is in the nearby urban neighborhoods (Anthem area of Henderson) as described for the Shadow Canyon Trailhead.

The Hike

At a trail junction (Table 1, Waypoint 07) about 1.36 miles out the Black Mountain Trail (BLM 404), the Connector Trail (BLM 402 Trail) turns right and runs southwest while the Black Mountain Trail continues east.

Following the Connector Trail southwest, the trail descends directly off the side of the ridge, then turns left to run southeast and down across the slope at a moderate grade into the wash below.

After crossing the wash, the trail sets off across a broad, open valley. The well defined-trail winds among boulders, washes, and joshua trees as it runs south to a trail junction (Wpt. 08). Here, the Connector Trail ends at the Park Peak Loop Trail (BLM 403), which comes in from the right and continues straight ahead.

From here, hikers can continue straight on the Park Peak Loop Trail to climb onto Fracture Ridge or Park Peak, or turn right on the Park Peak Loop Trail to hike off in other directions or to return to the trailhead via a different route.