Thanks for posting your trip report and I have a better understanding of your route. I have rode the Lime Kiln trail out of Dead Horse when I camped at the park. Since I moved to Payson I have been riding the segment of the Arizona Trail and some two tracks from the Blue Ridge Campground to the Mormon Lake area.

Sorry for your lost and hopefully the Black Canyon Road won't be closed due to an accident which has been happening a lot lately. Not sure of your planned route, did you mean AZ 260 ?