Cottonwood Trail #508, AZ

From the people-only v-gate, Trail #508 heads southeast for a half mile, then disappears as it turns south up Cottonwood Wash. Angle 200 yds. left, across the wash, to pick up an unnumbered jeep trail. After 2½ miles, at Gourd Flat Canyon, the route splits left onto FR 132B (the less obvious option). After 3½ miles, by the ranch, the route splits right off FR 132B, between -- but not on -- the two jeep trails, turning back to foot trail, along the east flank of Butler Point.


Trail #508 climbs up a small wash to Bald Point. I briefly lost the trail again, just before it joins FR 163 at 4⅓ miles. FR 163 passes through an open gate to Scrub Point. The route splits right off FR 163 at just over 5 miles. The route drops 150 ft. to the bottom of Bryant Canyon. The route then climbs up Bryant Canyon, ending after just under 7 miles at FR 132.The waypoints on the official route show that the route is a smorgasbord of signs: White diamonds, which may or may not have a directional arrow, or even be accurate. Blue diamonds, which may be attached to trees, fiberglass posts, or fallen logs. Or simply broken off, in pieces. Fiberglass posts that simply say “Trail”, or may have symbols showing what is allowed (people & horses) or not (vehicles). Surveyor’s tape, often sun-bleached. Or just a signless, green, metal u-channel post.

2026-04-23 kingsnake