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Road
High Clearance possible when dry
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To hikeVery similar to Kelsey Springs TH. DON'T USE GOOGLE DIRECTIONS, it will try to "shortcut" you on roads which are impassable by most vehicles. Stick to the directions if you want to get there safely and quickly.
To hike
From Flagstaff, take Old Route 66 west to FR 231 (Woody Mountain Road). Or from I-40, exit at Flagstaff Ranch Road, go north about 1/4 mile to Old Route 66, turn right, and go about another mile to FR 231 (Woody Mountain Road).
Go south on Woody Mountain Road/FR 231 for +/-14 miles and take a right at FR 538. Take FR 538 about 5.5 miles more to FR538G. Then you have a few choices:
1) If you have a low clearance vehicle, park off to the side almost immediately after turning on 538G. The next half mile is rutted and steep, though passable by high clearance vehicles if dry. Hike down 538G to FR 538E, turning left where the sign points you to Dorsey Trailhead. This adds about a mile total from your car to the official TH.
2) If you have a high(er) clearance vehicle, continue on FR 538G to FR 538E. You will see a sign indicating "Dorsey Trailhead" pointing to the left down 538E. Park near the sign, or just past 538E on the right next to Casner Tank, especially if you didn't like driving the half mile down 538G from FR 538. Hike from your car down 538E a half mile to the official trailhead.
3) If you have HIGH clearance and preferably 4x4, you can take FR 538E (very rocky and rutted) another 1/2 mile to the official Dorsey Trailhead, where 538E ends at a small parking area, trail register, and a board with a map.
Access to the trailheads is by dirt roads which can be extremely rough and even impassable during Monsoon Season and winter months due to mud and heavy snow. As of May 2020, FR 231 was graveled and good (though much washboarding), and FR 538 was well packed dirt with a very few places needing careful handling. FR 538G was rutted with some potholes and a bit rocky. FR 538E is very uneven, rutted, and rocky, and should only be traveled by HIGH clearance vehicles with 4x4.
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