Highway 87 to Payson is missing Mile 225

[JuanJaimeiii]

The Arizona Trail Association in it's description to reach the Mount Peeley TH says there is a turnoff for FR201 near mile marker 225 on Hwy 87. I don't recall seeing this so I figured I would check it out prior to my hike yesterday. Here is the strange thing. 1. There is no turn off for FR201 at MM225. 2. There is no Mile 225!

Does anyone happen to know where mile 225 on Highway 87 to Payson went? Alien abduction maybe? I don't know but it's not there. Im not referring to the mile marker sign but rather the whole mile. It's gone! Who ever took it did a great job splicing mile 224 and mile 226 together because if you weren't looking for it you wouldn't know it was missing. The same hold true for both directions on 87. Check it out next time you pass thru.

[CannondaleKid]

Most maps show that road to be FR626 but some show it as FR627

The latest Forest Service pdf maps show it as FR627A.

[joebartels]

this pdf you keep referring to...
is it online or something they sell?

[Sredfield]

Joe,

There are 3-4 of them on the Tonto's website. This link: http://a123.g.akamai.net/7/123/11558/ab ... 072212.pdf
is one, there are more at: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.p ... ject=28967

As you know, the forests are deep into "travel management" and all are updating maps and road policy. Most AZ forests have these on their websites. One has to be careful which iteration of the maps ya rely on, because some are pre decision and some post, and some final decisions aren't done yet, but I didn't think this one was in any danger of being abandoned.

[joebartels]

thanks shawn!
mark too!

[joebartels]

definitely don't assume all is open
ie: FR80 isn't marked as private

[CannondaleKid]

@joe bartels I don't believe FR80 is private... only after the gate when it changes to FR80D where the FS docs say Administrative Use or in this case SRP access to the dam.

As many roads as they have to keep track of and the proposed changes I can understand if there are some not as advertised and may well be private or otherwise closed.
And as I found out checking again now, my latest pdf's may be out-of-date, although the latest pdf's are WAY more complicated that the batch I downloaded late last fall.

[joebartels]

I'm going by 80A, 80C & 80D all show as solid black lines which in the legend says Open for Passanger Vehicles

Unauthorized & Admin by Previous Decision are suppose to be gray lines

[beterarcher]

How do they expect you to obey the laws when they make them so confusing? One would think that the forest service would send out one set of maps and say " these are the ones that will keep you legal." I'm soooo confused. It's almost enough to make me stay home..... I said ALMOST. Guess I just need to buy a helicopter, no access issues then! Still doesn't solve the issue of the missing mile though.

[CannondaleKid]

I'm going by 80A, 80C & 80D all show as solid black lines which in the legend says Open for Passanger Vehicles

Like beterarcher says, the FS sure can make things confusing.

Nice that they can't even spell Passenger Vehicles.

I think I know what map you are looking at where you see the whole road in black. I don't believe that map is meant to show very specifically the types of access, more the type of vehicle, i.e. 'passenger vehicle'. The black means the road is maintained for a passenger vehicle, not that it is open to the public.

In this case I'll stick with the maps I got last fall and just view the changes described in the text files for specific access. But again, what resources can we trust?

[chumley]

The black means the road is maintained for a passenger vehicle

As long as we are nitpicking, what exactly is a "passenger vehicle"? I mean, even most dirtbikes and quads are capable of carrying passengers. Is there a road-worthy vehicle other than a bicycle that doesn't carry passengers? :STP:

[Sredfield]

The Coconino Forest has their maps in PDF format, and a link to an Avenza phone app that geo-references the map. Then the phone's gps works on the map, which is really helpful because the maps are simply black lines on white, no other features to help you find where you are. When all is working, the phone's blue dot appears on the map, tracking you along. They also admitted that there will be no on the ground signage for this, users are responsible to know whether the road they are on is open or closed. (I wonder if after a few judges get involved, this may change.)

[mazatzal]

Confusing to say the least! "Appendix A_Alt1 Map" has many private/gated maps as "open". I wouldn't bother with this map.
"Appendix B_Alt2 Map" appears to be more accurate. I haven't looked at C or D. :roll:

[beterarcher]

They also admitted that there will be no on the ground signage for this, users are responsible to know whether the road they are on is open or closed. (I wonder if after a few judges get involved, this may change.)

Kind of reminds me of my State Trust Land rant. ;)

[big_load]

They also admitted that there will be no on the ground signage for this, users are responsible to know whether the road they are on is open or closed. (I wonder if after a few judges get involved, this may change.)

Not putting appropriate signs on closed roads seems like asking for trouble.