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I encountered a sign while hiking near Upper Canyon Creek a few weeks ago that indicated that I was hiking in an area that is used for a semi-annual sheep drive that had been going on for over 100 years. The sign said something to the effect of "a perfect example of the 'multiple-uses' that the National Forest system was created for".

I'd never herd ( ) of it before, so it was with some interest that I caught the recent glimpse on the news of the end of the sheep drive, as the sheep crossed the Blue Point Bridge in East Mesa on their way to Queen Creek.

This article in the East Valley Tribune (including map and video) http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/99037 explains a bit about it.

It says that the entire drive from the White Mountains to Queen Creek happens on public lands, which makes me wonder ... is there a hike to be made from the Sheep driveway? By it's very nature, it must have frequent enough sources of water to keep the sheep hydrated, which might also bode well for what would likely be many days of hiking over what I'm guessing is 150+ miles.

Are there any existing trails that parallel the Sheep Driveway (besides Canyon Creek)? Have HAZ members encountered other signs indicating it? Anybody have more info on the history of the drive?

(For the record, the Sheep Bridge along the Verde River north of Horseshoe Lake is NOT part of the Heber-Reno Sheep Driveway. I also believe that Sheep's Crossing in the White Mountains is unrelated. Though I'm willing to be corrected.)

I think there is an info sign along the Chamberlain Trail (forest road), just northwest of Young. On one of my many trips to Young, I came across the sheep as they were being driven north. Millions of 'em! I'll post the pic I took when I find it. There are a couple of books by Leland J. Hanchett that I think discuss the Heber-Reno sheep driveway. One is about the Pleasant Valley War (great book!), the other might be about ranching in the Heber-Young area (Hashknife Ranch?). I know the driveway runs between Punkin Center, through the northern Sierra Ancha, Young, and up to Heber. I know "Dead Boy Point" in the Anchas is along the driveway (look on the Sheep Basin topo). Come to think of it, I believe I have a picture of that info sign as well.

It just started. Seems that there's only one operation left that still does the drive, and though its a money-losing operation, they like the tradition.

Gotta believe that this will end in the next few years. Might be nice to try to find them on a hike in the next few weeks. If they crossed Blue Point on Tuesday and Wednesday and cover about 6 miles a day, they should be somewhere around the Rolls or Mesquite wash this weekend. I wish I knew the exact route of the driveway!

From AZCentral (link has photos, but link will expire in a couple of weeks)
http://www.azcentral.com/community/chan ... rding.html

Valley family continues sheep herding tradition

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22643992@N02/4561680745/

^^^Saw these guys up at the Salt River on Monday. I'll post more pictures on HAZ later tonight.

I have often seen the sheep at their eventual pastures at Greens Peak. I have had to stop my truck on my way home from work at Hidden Meadow Ranch last summer on FR 118 in order to let them pass by. Then for many days they were alongside the road as I came and went from work, the sunburned shepherds waving me on by. Over the years I have often seen them alongside 260 at Sheep Springs, in the NF, just east of the reservation boundary. The Dobson's ranch (to die for) is close to Hidden Meadow and Antelope Mountain. http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=2187

But I had no idea they actually drivethem up here every summer!

I had to deal with cattle drives up in Utah where the cowboys were running their herds up onto the Wasatch Plateau outside of Price and Orangeville.

Arizona Highways had a good sheep drive article within the last few years, but I can't remember exactly when.

I've met Dwayne Dobson..... had no idea he did the sheep drive. There are some alfalfa fields near where I work in south Chandler that have sheep in them every winter, for at least the last tens years. Probably much longer. I wonder if they are part of the drive. I'll have to pay closer attention.

I was driving home early on Beeline on Tuesday (dentist) and out of the corner of my eye saw a couple of burros and then looked again and lots of sheep.... Something I haven't seen except the guy with the donkeys and the wagon that goes sometimes up and down the Beeline.... Funny how seeing a bald eagle all the time you get used to but a couple of sheep get my attention...

We saw the herd under the trees in the shade along the Beeline Highway Wednesday afternoon. According to the former sheepherders we coincidentally happened to meet later in the day, the herds and shepherds were having their afternoon siesta before moving on. The men we talked to spoke fondly and lovingly of their lives growing up with the sheep and the yearly trek along the trail.
My husband grew up with sheep in his backyard, his grandfather's alfalfa fields, along Southern Avenue in Mesa. He said that the sheep, shepherds and their dogs ran an amazing operation when they arrived each winter. It sounds like Arizona hikers need to pay homage to the rich history and lore.

This is a generic GPX route of the Heber-Reno Sheep Trail Driveway from Pumpkin Center to Showlow. Back in Oct 2007 this HAZ forum topic got me searching for a route. I found it at a forgotten ATV website, and saved it for a future off-road trip. Not my data, so use at your own risk.
http://hikearizona.com/map.php?GPS=10585&M=3